the Urban LEGEND of the ARMORY

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The Fifth Infantry Armory building, the first armory built in Illinois, was constructed in 1914 for the primary purpose of being the headquarters for the Fifth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard. The building is two stories with an Institutional Goth-style stone foundation and masonry of brick and cut limestone.

Construction on the Armory building was finished in time for dedication ceremonies during Quincy’s fall celebration in October 1927. Festivities included a doll parade, an auto-flower parade, a military parade, concerts, free admission to the movies, a grand military ball, saddle horse demonstrations, and more.

But as legend goes, nothing good lasts forever.

 Accounts vary, if true at all, but most say during the celebration ball, a deranged ex-pat locked the doors from the outside before gassing and massacring all those inside.  Some say he died with his victims; others say he used a hidden entrance, exited and was never seen again. 

The building remained dormant for nearly one hundred years, until it was finally purchased at auction, restored and transformed into the event space it is today.