Military Fortress

Fall River’s Bank Street Armory was dedicated in February 1897. Prior to the erection of the Romanesque Revival style structure, the city needed a larger facility to house its volunteer militia companies. Those companies would later take on the title of the National Guard.

The fortress-like building would cost the city approximately $125,000.00, which, as of this writing, would be just over four million dollars. Architects Wait and Cutter of Boston were commissioned by the city to design the Armory. They discussed possible ideas for the building with Fall River native Joseph M. Darling and Louis Destremps, who designed the city’s iconic Notre Dame Church. By 1896, the Beattie and Wilcox firm began construction.

Notice the automobiles in the photograph. They prove to be an important identifier as the image is undated. By looking at the cars we can determine that this was taken in the 1920s.

The grand structure, sans the ivy, still stands over 125 years later.