03/09/2023
Come visit Ridge Home Furnishings now located within Tonawanda Castle! https://ridgehomefurnishings.com/
A beautifully restored and historic events and conference center. Perfect for fairytale weddings, conferences and so much more..
69 Delaware Street
Tonawanda, NY
14150
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The history of the Tonawanda Castle is both unique and powerful. Constructed as an armory for the 25th Separate Company of the National Guard, the massive 38,000 square-foot armory was built in the impressively short span of half a year, between the winter of 1896 and summer of 1897. With a foundation of Warsaw blue granite and walls of deep red mason brick, this historic building has presided over Delaware Street in the city of Tonawanda for more than 100 years.
The imposing (yet impressively artful) building was designed by Isaac Perry in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style. This armory is considered one of Perry’s most luxurious projects, costing approximately $85,000 (equivalent to about $6.8 million today). When completed, the armory’s total price tag was more than three times the price of the other armories Perry designed. A Grand Ball attended by more than 1,000 guests in February 1897 marked the inauguration of the armory and the first public assembly of the 25th Separate Company of the New York State National Guard.
Throughout the years the armory functioned not only as a military establishment, but also as a place for the community. During the two World Wars, the 100 foot turret, rising impressively over Delaware Street, was used as an observation post to monitor the sky. In the 1930s, the drill hall was packed with excited fans watching the St. Bonaventure and Niagara University basketball teams compete.