Hornell Armory
Why it's listed
Hornell Armory, at 100 Seneca Street, is a fortress-like building of brick and Warsaw blue stone with round towers, deep arches and broad metal and shingle roofs. Built between 1894 and 1896 after the state legislature appropriated $32,000, it housed the 47th Separate Company, National Guard of New York, which had earned the governor's attention through service during a strike in Buffalo. Albany architect I.G. Perry designed it in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, using contrasting stone and brick, arches, steep dormers and restrained ornament. Inside, a large drill hall with a steel-truss roof and balcony sits in the north wing, while the main section keeps pressed tin ceilings, original woodwork and tile mantelpieces. Alterations are few: the tower crenellation was removed and a small brick wing was added in 1956. Reserve units trained here for several wars, and the building has hosted concerts, basketball and other community events. It remains an active armory.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as an excellent example of late nineteenth century military building design in the Richardsonian Romanesque mode. It is one of the few surviving New York State armories that remains highly intact inside and out. It has also served as a training center for reserve units and as a center for community activities.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80002772, listed May 6, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 100 Seneca St., Hornell |
|---|---|
| County | Steuben County |
| Listed | May 6, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002772 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | 1894-96: I.G. Perry; 1956: Beardsley & Beardsley |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as an armory and community activity center; described as in excellent condition with a high level of integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.33192, -77.66141 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80002772.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706405
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.