Altoona Armory
Why it's listed
Built in 1938 on a ten-acre lot in Logan Township, just outside Altoona, the armory is a one-story brick building in the Moderne style, designed by Frank Austin Hersh of Altoona. Its I-shaped plan places a riding hall between an administrative wing at the front and a former stable wing at the rear, and the riding hall is covered by a round arched roof. The main elevation has a centrally placed entrance under a brick segmental arch, with multi-light casement windows and brick belt courses on the sides. The building was constructed for a Pennsylvania National Guard cavalry unit, and it is one of nine armories built in the state between 1912 and 1938. It is important for its military use and for its architecture, and the interior retains a riding hall measuring 90 by 140 feet. The property retains very good integrity, though the stable was converted to storage and work space and the riding hall floor was concreted.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the armory is significant under criteria A and C as one of nine armories built in Pennsylvania between 1912 and 1938. It was built for a Pennsylvania National Guard cavalry unit and follows the I-plan layout typical of such armories, with a riding hall, stable wing, rifle range, locker rooms and offices.
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 91000507, listed May 9, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 327 Frankstown Rd., Logan Township, Altoona |
|---|---|
| County | Blair County |
| Listed | May 9, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000507 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1938-1939 |
| Architect / builder | Frank Austin Hersh (architect) |
| Architectural style | Moderne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Acreage | 10 |
| Coordinates | 40.48163, -78.38733 (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 91000507.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4736947
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.