New York City: 5th Avenue Arsenal (Central Park)


Street Address:Fifth Avenue at East 64th Street
City:Manhattan
County:New York
Year Constructed:1848 (not completely finished until 1854) / crenellated parapets and corner bastions replaced with low-pitched hipped roofs in late 1860's / restored in 1924
Architect:Martin E. Thompson
Size:
Square footage:Unknown
Acreage:152 parcels
Status:Sold to New York City for incorporation into Central Park in 1857 / Militia used building during Civil War / Converted to Museum of Natural History, weather observatory, and local division of city police in 1869 / Currently home to New York City Parks and Recreation, City Parks Foundation, Historic House Trust, New York Wildlife Conservation Society, Parks Library, and Arsenal Gallery

1st Division:    1848 - 1857
7th Regiment:    1848 - 1857

History

A previous city arsenal was built on this site (ca. 1808) and then demolished in 1844. This arsenal was originally designed as a storage facility for the First Division's equipment and munitions, but was used exclusively by the Seventh Regiment in the1850's. Prior to occupying this arsenal, the Seventh Regiment was located at the Centre Market Armory on Grand and Centre streets. After the arsenal was sold, the Seventh Regiment relocated to the Tompkins Market Armory on Third Avenue.

Other armories for the First Division include:

Downtown Arsenal at White, Elm, Center and Franklin Streets 1844 - 1848

State Arsenal on Seventh Avenue 1858 - 1923

Other armories in New York City:

New York City: 5th Avenue Armory - 369th Regiment

New York City: Broadway Armory - 22nd Regiment

New York City: Columbus Avenue Armory - 12th Regiment

New York City: Fort Washington Avenue Armory

New York City: Lexington Avenue Armory - 69th Regiment

New York City: Madison Avenue Armory - Squadron A

New York City: Park Avenue Armory - 7th Regiment

New York City: Park Avenue Armory - 8th Regiment

New York City: Park Avenue Armory - 71st Regiment (1894-1902)

New York City: Park Avenue Armory - 71st Regiment (1906-1971)

New York City: West 14th Street Armory - 9th Regiment

New York City: West 14th Street Armory - 22nd Regiment

New York City: West 14th Street Armory - 42nd Division

New York City: West 66th Street Armory - 1st Battery

New York City: Historic Rental Facilities