Cranston Street Armory
Encyclopedia
The Cranston Street Armory is a historic building in Providence, Rhode Island
. It was built in 1907 at a cost of $650,000.00, with the firm of M.J. Houlihan supervising its construction. The building was occupied by the Rhode Island National Guard
from its opening until 1996. Since then, parts of the building have been used as film studios, and some of its offices occupied by the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal. The National Trust for Historic Preservation
lists the Armory as one of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places." Its distinctive yellow bricks, crenellated turrets, and decorative stonework mark it as a historically significant building and neighborhood icon.
The armory was built with a steel-truss frame, with a large open central hall and two towers with a total of 165000 square feet (15,329 m²) of space. The main hall alone is as wide as two football fields. After World War I, the armory was used by 243rd Coast Artillery, an in later years by the 43rd and 118th as well.
On account of its imposing presence, the Cranston Street Armory has lent its name to the surrounding area of Providence's West End
, which is often known as the "Armory District." Several area businesses, among them the Armory Revival Company and Armory Properties, also take their name from this building.
The films Outside Providence
and Underdog
were filmed using the open areas within the Armory for bluescreen
work, as well as exterior shots of adjacent areas.
The Armory was used for several years by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League to host indoor track and field meets including the Rhode Island state championships and the Brown Invitational track meet. Although the conditions within the Armory were not the greatest for producing quality times, the atmosphere during championship track meets was outstanding as teams circled the track and cheered on the performers. A well kknown meet occurred in 1980, when the Woonsocket High School Villa Novans surprisingly defeated the favorite, Bishop Hendricken Hawks, to win the Class A Championships with the last event of the evening. The Hawks went on to win the state championship the following week, but the excitement in the Class and state championships could not be measured.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. It was built in 1907 at a cost of $650,000.00, with the firm of M.J. Houlihan supervising its construction. The building was occupied by the Rhode Island National Guard
Rhode Island National Guard
The Rhode Island National Guard consists of the:*Rhode Island Army National Guard *Rhode Island Air National Guard ** 102nd Information Warfare Squadron** 143d Airlift Wing** 281st Combat Communications Group** 282nd Combat Communications Squadron...
from its opening until 1996. Since then, parts of the building have been used as film studios, and some of its offices occupied by the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal. The National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
lists the Armory as one of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places." Its distinctive yellow bricks, crenellated turrets, and decorative stonework mark it as a historically significant building and neighborhood icon.
The armory was built with a steel-truss frame, with a large open central hall and two towers with a total of 165000 square feet (15,329 m²) of space. The main hall alone is as wide as two football fields. After World War I, the armory was used by 243rd Coast Artillery, an in later years by the 43rd and 118th as well.
On account of its imposing presence, the Cranston Street Armory has lent its name to the surrounding area of Providence's West End
West End, Providence, Rhode Island
The West End is a neighborhood in the southwestern part of Providence, Rhode Island in the region often referred to as the South Side. Its boundaries are delineated by Westminster Street to the north, Huntington Avenue to the south, Elmwood Avenue to the east and the railroad tracks with Route 10...
, which is often known as the "Armory District." Several area businesses, among them the Armory Revival Company and Armory Properties, also take their name from this building.
The films Outside Providence
Outside Providence (film)
Outside Providence is a 1999 American film adaptation of Peter Farrelly's 1988 novel of the same name. Like the book, the film is a fictionalized account of Farrelly's own experiences at Kent School, a prep school in Kent, Connecticut.-Plot:...
and Underdog
Underdog (film)
Underdog is a 2007 American live-action comedy film based on the cartoon series of the same name. The film was directed by Frederik Du Chau and stars Peter Dinklage as Dr. Simon Bar Sinister, Patrick Warburton as Cad Lackley, and Jason Lee as the voice of Underdog. The film also stars Jim Belushi,...
were filmed using the open areas within the Armory for bluescreen
Chroma key
Chroma key compositing is a technique for compositing two images together. A color range in the top layer is made transparent, revealing another image behind. The chroma keying technique is commonly used in video production and post-production...
work, as well as exterior shots of adjacent areas.
The Armory was used for several years by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League to host indoor track and field meets including the Rhode Island state championships and the Brown Invitational track meet. Although the conditions within the Armory were not the greatest for producing quality times, the atmosphere during championship track meets was outstanding as teams circled the track and cheered on the performers. A well kknown meet occurred in 1980, when the Woonsocket High School Villa Novans surprisingly defeated the favorite, Bishop Hendricken Hawks, to win the Class A Championships with the last event of the evening. The Hawks went on to win the state championship the following week, but the excitement in the Class and state championships could not be measured.