Sheboygan Armory

Entrance

2006

Sheboygan Municipal Auditorium and Armory (commonly known as The Armory) is 52,000 sq. ft indoor arena located on the lakefront in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It was built in Streamline Moderne style in 1942 as a WPA project. The building seats 3,974, with permanent balcony seating and bleacher seating on the floor level. The Sheboygan Armory has a higher seating capacity then the Eagles ballroom, Pabst Theatre, Turner Hall and Riverside Theater in Milwaukee.

Plans

City Administrator Jim Amodeo states that the building will only cost $180,000 to demolish. An identical Armory in Rock Island Illinois cost $738,000 to demo. The city is accepting redevelopment proposals from interested parties until October 31, 2014. An alternative suggested by the non-profit Armory Foundation is to Preserve, Improve, and provide Enjoyment at the building at no cost to the taxpayers. Heating costs where $19,960 dollars in 2013.

The building hosted the National Basketball Association's Sheboygan Redskins from 1942 until 1951. It was the site of the cross-town basketball rivalry between Central/South High and North High from the building's opening until 2006, when both schools opened large on-campus fieldhouses that seat approximately 3,000.

Many of the events that helped shape generations of Sheboyganites were held at this venue. Local events, such as Lakeland College basketball games, Boy Scout Scout-o-Ramas, Rockets for Schools, the Hmong Festival, the Festival of Trees, the Mayor's International Festival, job fairs, and military gatherings, took place here, along with nationally-known entertainment, such as All Star Wrestling, Golden Gloves boxing, the Harlem Globetrotters, Hank Williams Jr., Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show , Johnny Carson, and circuses. The building was also used for Great Lakes Aerospace Science & Education Center (GLASEC) promotional events from 2007 -2014.It was closed at the request of GLASEC supporters, while they raise funds for Spaceport Sheboygan.

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3/4/1963 – The Armory and Lakeland College are awarded a home game in the upcoming state NAIA basketball play-offs. As Lakeland begins a twelve year run as conference champions and basketball powerhouse, these become almost yearly events. (Lakeland loses to Carroll College in front of 2,400 fans.)

5/24/1969 – Teen Dance (music by The Skunks and The Kids Nextdoor) (Milwaukee)

5/31/1969 – Teen Dance (music by The Unchanged Minds)

6/5/1969 – The combined Sheboygan North and South graduation party is held at the Armory with the theme “Sayanara.” Between 1,400 and 1,500 attend.

7/1/1969 -Teen Dance sponsored by The Sheboygan Youth Alliance (music by The Raw Meat and Grease (Milwaukee), The Syndicate of Sound (Oshkosh), and The Loyal Opposition.

7/5/1969 – Teen Dance (music by The Prodigal Sons)

7/12/1969 – “Country Extravaganza Concert” featuring Stonewall Jackson, Roy Acuff and George Hamilton

7/29/1969 – Movies are shown in the Armory.

7/31 /1969- Musical Youth International 1969 performs

8/2/1969 – Teen Dance (music by Underground Sunshine)

8/21/1969 – Teen Dance (music by The Royals and The Loyal Opposition). This is a ‘band break-up’ dance for these two local groups.

8/23/1969 – Teen Dance (music by Tryad and The Myst) (Manitowoc)

9/20/1969 – Teen Dance (music by Love Society and The Phase III)

9/27/1969 – Rock Concert featuring bands from the Wisconsin State Fair on tour.

9/29/1969 – “The Searching Generation Youth Rally” (Campus Life)

10/4/1969 -Teen Dance (music by The Raw Meat, The Ox and The Short Stuff) (Milwaukee)

10/21-23/1969 – Passion Play is performed

11/2/1969 – Lutheran Reformation Sunday ceremony is attended by over 2,500.

11/5/1969 -Teen Dance (music by Woodbine) (Omaha

11 /15/1969 – Teen Dance (music by The Bethlehem Boogie Band and Rainy Day (Detroit and Chicago respectively)

11/18/1969 – Wuerl Band

11/23/1969 – Teen Dance (music by The Skunks and The Ox both from Milwaukee)

11/26/1969 -Teen Dance (music by The Loyal Opposition and The Raw Meat) (Milwaukee

11/29/1969 – Teen Dance (music by The Objects and Fastback) (Milwaukee)

12/7/1969 – Vollrath Company Christmas Party for 850 children of employees

12/21-22/1969 – Snowmobile Show

2/21/1970 – Scholarship Teen Dance featuring the music of six local bands.

3/ 13/1970 – Sheboygan Battle of the Bands 1970

3/23/1970 – “International Ice Review” (sponsored by Lakeland College Fine Arts Series)

4/4/1970 – Country Music Spectacular featuring Tammy Wynette, George Jones and Harold Morrison

4/5/1970 – International Folk fest returns to the Armory, over 4,000 attend.

4/9/1970 – Teen Dance (music by The Music Foundation, The Free and The Dawn)

4/19/1970 -J.F.K. Prep High School “Music Explosion” featuring the music of Irish tenor Joe Feeney of the Lawrence Welk Show takes place.

4/25/1970 – A “Hunger March” Teen Dance takes place (music by Manny and the Imperials and The Tryad)

5/2/1970 – The U.S. Army Field Band and Chorus perform for a crowd of 3,700.

5/9/1970 – Teen Dance (music by The Tryad)

5/23/1970 – Teen Dance (music by Freight Train and Freedom)

6/4/1970 – Combined North/South High School graduation party is held, 1,200 attend an “Age of Aquarius” themed event

6/17 /1970 – Teen Dance music by The Raw Meat and Barefat (Milwaukee and Fond du Lac respectively)

7 /1/1970 – Teen Dance (music by Soup and The Raw Meat)

7/18/1970 -The band Vanilla Fudge (national) performs a concert

7/30/1970 – Teen Dance (music by Harvey and the Sounds)

8/26/1970 -Teen Dance (music by The Bowery Boys)

9/20/1970 – Kohler Company UAW employee labor contract vote is held

9/30/1970 – Senior citizens dance

10/2/1970 – Rising country star Hank Williams Jr. performs

10/10/1970 – Teen Dance (music by The Bowery Boys)

11/1/1970 – Lutheran Reformation Sunday Ceremony is attended by over 2,000.

11/4/1970 – CYO Scholarship Teen Dance is held (music by Underground Sunshine and Toad)

11 /16/1970 – Sheboygan city-school budget meeting takes place, only 175 attend

12/3/1970 – Professional Wrestling , 2,700 attend

12/8/1970 – Lakeland College’s Men’s Basketball team loses to the Swedish National Team in exhibition game

12/23/1970 -Teen Dance (music by Yukon Tulip)

11/16/1971 – The Buccaneers Drill Team holds a benefit to raise money for new uniforms. Over 2,000 attend.

11/21/1971 – Professional Wrestling

3/4-7/1971 – Camping and Boat Show (sponsored by Sears)

3/23/1971 – “International Ice Review” (sponsored by the Lakeland College Fine Arts Series)

3/25/1971 – Professional Wrestling

3/28/1971 – International Folk Fest

4/3/1971 – Teen Dance (music by The Skunks) (Milwaukee)

4/7/1971 – Rock Festival – 9 bands – 71/2 hours

4/1211971 – Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (big band) perform in concert

4/20/1971 – Teen Dance (music by Eden Stone, Glass Fog Father Time, Heap and Stix N stones)

4/22/1971 -Teen Dance (music by The Messengers, The Raw Meat and Bogie Man)

5/15-1611971 – Wisconsin State Stamp Collection Convention (4,000-5,000 attend the two day event)

5/21/1971 -The Sheboygan Optimists Club sponsors The Kellner’s Circus

5/27/1971 – Teen Dance (music by The Bowery Boys)

6/10/1971 – Combined North/South High School graduation party. 1,000 attend a “Roaring 70’s” themed event.!

7/7/1971 – Professional Wrestling

8/1/1971 – The Hanneford Circus (sponsored by the Kiwanis)

9/10/1971 – Teen Dance (music by Danny Downs and the Upbeats and Judas Goat)

10/21 /1971 – U.S. Marine Band

10/31/1971 – Reformation Day Service (Lutheran)

1114/1971 – Teen Dance (music by Bogie Man, Professional Mold, Judas Goat and The Music Foundation)

11/24/1971 – CYO Scholarship Teen Dance (music by Black Society and Father Time)

11/29/1971 – City budget meeting

2/9/1972 – Country Music Spectacular featuring Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn

2/13/1972 -Accent Drill Team competition (1,500 attend)

3/12/1972 – “Our American Heritage” a celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Girl Scouts (2,000attend)

3/21/1972 – Roller Derby “Jolters vs. Eagles”

3/26/1972 – Professional performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Rock Opera)

3/30/1972 – Teen Dance (music by Shortstuff and Lightfoot)

4/3/1972 – Republican presidential candidate George Wallace speaks on campaign stop (Walter Cronkite covered for CBS News)

4/15/1972 – Variety Show I Brat Fry (sponsored by Sheboygan Youth Band)

5/2/1972 – Hanneford Circus (sponsored by Sheboygan Youth Band)

5/6/1972 – U.S. Army Field Band concert, 3,500 attend

6/6/1972 – City Councilman Mark Eggebeen proposes selling or leasing the Armory stating the rent doesn’t meet the operating costs.

6/8/1972 – Combined North/South Graduation celebration is held with a casino theme.

6/16-18/1972 – Jehovah Witness Convention

7/9/1972 – “Kids from Wisconsin” from UW Madison perform (sponsored by the Buccaneer Drill Team)

7/20/1972 – Professional Wrestling

9/21/1972 – Wayne King the Waltz King

9/26/1972 – “Youth for McGovern Rock Show” (political rally in support of Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern featuring the bands Hayward/ Love Society/ Smile)

9/30-10/1/1972 – Snowmobile Show

10/22/1972 – The Harlem Globetrotters play/perform

10/29/1972 – Reformation Day Service (Lutheran)

11/16-17 /1972 – David Wilkerson, author of “The Cross and the Switchblade” speaks (Sponsored by the CYO)

11120/1972 – The Sheboygan city budget meeting is held.

12/30-31/1972 – Jehovah Witness Convention

11/9/1973 – Professional Wrestling

1/28/1973 – Buccaneer Drill Team competition

2/12/1973 – Accent Drill Team competition (2,000 attend)

3/3/1973 – The Green Bay Packers vs. The Texas Cowgirls in exhibition basketball game, sponsored by Kiwanis Club

3/18/1973 – Professional Wrestling

3/24-25/1973 – Sports Show

4/14/1973 – Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show perform in concert.

4/4/1973 – The National Guard returns to the Armory after moving operations to Plymouth for two years.

5/4/1973 – Professional Wrestling

5/4/1973 – REO Speedwagon opened by Happy Day and Love Society performance

5/5/1973 – “Country Western Show” (sponsored by Policeman’s Benevolent Association)

5/18/1973 – Professional Wrestling

5/20/1973 – A very large flea market is held

5/24/1973 – The Holiday Hippodrome Circus

5/26/1973 – The Hollies, Muldoon and One Eyed Jacks perform in concert

6/2-3/1973 – Jehovah Witness Convention

7 /14/1973 – Canned Heat is booked to perform for this date. They cancel and REO Speedwagon is fills the bill.

7/2111973 – Frankie Yankovic and his orchestra

7 /29/1973 – “Country Music Circus” – A country music -wild west show

9/23/1973 – Kohler Company UAW employee labor contract vote is held

10/5-7/1973 – The Nicky Cruz Christian Crusade

10/28/1973 – Lutheran Reformation Sunday services

11/4/1973 – Professional Wrestling

11/12/1973 -The Annual city budget meeting is held

11/21–23/1973 – Wishbone Ash and REO Speedwagon play to a crowd estimated to be 5,000 (past capacity). Due to the behavior of the audience and damages to the premises, other than graduation parties, this is the last rock concert/ dance to be held at the Armory for a lengthy period.

1/3/1974 – Professional Wrestling

2/10/1974 -The Accents Drill Team holds a regional competition

21221197 4 – Professional Wrestling

3/30/1974 – The Green Bay Packers vs. The Sheboygan Redskins reunion team in an exhibition basketball game.

4/27/1974 – Country Music Show (sponsored by Policeman’s Benevolent Association)

5/11/1974 – Scout-0-Rama (First held since 1968)

5/18/1974 – U.S. Army Field Band

6/6/197 4 – Combined North/South high school graduation is held at the Armory. 1,200 graduates and guests attend “casino” themed event

6/28/1974 – Dick Contino/ Horace Heidt talent competition

6/28/1974 – Professional Wrestling

9/30/1974 -UAW – Kohler Company labor contract ratification vote takes place. Contract is approved.

10/12/197 4 – The Lakeland College Men’s Basketball team plays the Danish National Team in exhibition game.

11 /10/1974 – Lakeland College Men’s Basketball team plays The Czech National team in exhibition game

11/29/1974 – Professional Wrestling returns to the Armory before 3,431 fans.

12/16/197 4 – Sheboygan city budget meeting is held

1/25/1975 – The Green Bay Packers vs. the Sheboygan Jaycees in exhibition basketball game.

2/7/1975 – Professional Wrestling

2/23/1975 – Accents Drill Team competition

3/1/1975 -The March of Dimes holds a 24 hour basketball marathon fundraiser.

317/1975 – Professional Wrestling

3/15/1975 – Buccaneer Drill Team competition

4/21/1975 -The 1975 regional Scout-o-Rama. 6,000 Scouts attend.

4/27/1975 – The Don Gibson Show with Sherry Bryce perform.

4/28/1975 – The Sheboygan County Deputies sponsor the Hippodrome Circus, 3,800 attend.

5/31/1975 – Meat Cutters and Butchers Union meeting is held. A venue of the size of the Armory is needed due to the potential closing of The Armour Leather plant.

6/29/1975 – Professional Wrestling

8/6/1975 – The Duke Ellington Orchestra performs in concert in front of a crowd of less than 500.

9/13/1975 – Evangelist Bob Harrington preaches to an audience of over 3,000 people.

10/11/1975 – Campus Life sponsors a Contemporary Christian concert featuring three bands.

10/21/1975 -The Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Development advises either to end deficit operation at the Armory, or raise the structure.

11/24/1975 – The Sheboygan City Budget meeting is held.

11130/1975 – The Harlem Globetrotters play/perform.

1/11/1976 – Professional Wrestling. A crowd of 2,278 attends.

3/1/1976 – The Accents Drill Team holds a competition

3/13 -14/1976 – Polka Festival

4/22-24/1976 – “Heritage Days,” a multi-event festival is planned to celebrate the cities history during the nation’s bicentennial year.

4/29/1976 – The Buccaneer Drill Team competition

5/3/1976 – Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass.

10/7/1976 – The U.S. Armed Forces combine to perform the bicentennial show “Bicentennial” before 4,000.

11/6/1976 – Campus Life sponsor a Christian youth event referred to as “Super Saturday.”

11/7/1976 – Professional Wrestling

11/11/1976 – Roy Orbison performs in concert.

11/22/1976 – The Sheboygan City Budget meeting is held.

12/111976 – Donkey Basketball

12/12/1976 -The Buccaneer drill team competition.

2/9/1977 – Golden Gloves Boxing

This list is a work in progress. We want it to stretch into 2200

ARMORYSHEBOYGAN

SHEBOYGAN PRESS EDITORIAL

JANUARY 14, 2014 LEAVE A COMMENT EDIT

“It might be tempting for the City of Sheboygan to throw in the towel and rid itself of the 72-year old Armory building. The Armory is, after all, in need of expensive repairs and there are those who argue its useful life is at an end. That kind of thinking is a mistake. The city should take a step back and thoroughly examine all of its options, particularly now that a citizen group has came forward in hopes of revitalizing the facility. The Armory Foundation wants to partner with the city to make the Armory a viable operation after Spaceport Sheboygan vacates the facility in February and moves to the South Pier District.

The options appear relatively clear:

1. Sell the Armory to a third party;

2. Raze the structure; or

3. Work with the Foundation to revitalize it.

History dictates that the city make every effort to exercise the third option before resorting to either of the other two. Generations of Sheboygan area residents have attended community events, festivals, or private and public gatherings at the Armory. It was home to the NBA’s oldest team, the former Sheboygan Red Skins, and was the site of many memorable North-South boys and girls basketball games over the years. Almost everyone in the greater Sheboygan County area hasan Armory story or cherished memory.They don’t make buildings like the Armory any more, and razing the structure would leave a gaping hole in the city’s historic footprint. We agree with Kirk Obear of the Armory Foundation that the Armory “is a unique structure that could not be replaced by modern construction methods.”

The bottom line may ultimately play a bigger role in decision making than history, however, and the economics of the situation also indicate the city should go slow. The city will realize economic benefits if the Foundation can engage its volunteer forces to make the Armory viable again.That will take a plan and time. The Foundation will have neither if the city makes a hasty decision to sell or demolish the Armory. Mayor Mike Vandersteen said he will meet with the Armory Foundation in the near future. That is a hopeful sign and indicates the city’s willingness to explore all options. The mayor is noncommittal at this point, but admits there is “a strong community attachment to the building.” He promises to “thoroughly explore” efforts to revitalize the Armory, also a good sign. The Common Council should take the same open-minded approach as it considers the intimate details of the matter, including several undisclosed proposals already submitted for the historic lakefront building.

We hope the Foundation is given an ample opportunity to be a player in the Armory negotiations. It has promised to seek grants, donations and volunteers to raise money for facility needs, along with helping to manage the Armory. Promises only go so far, however. We hope the Foundation garners the public support it needs to turn its vision into reality. The city, meanwhile, should afford it that chance.”

Sheboygan Press Editorial – January 11, 2014

External links

• The Armory Foundation
• History of the Sheboygan Armory and Auditorium
• It Came from the Armory - Spotify playlist featuring bands playing in the Sheboygan Auditorium and Armory