Former Broadhead Marine Armory (Detroit, Michigan)

 military, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, 1930_construction

Captain Brodhead, in the late 1920s, convinced the Michigan state legislature to build a naval armory along Detroit's waterfront. They appropriated the funds and the attractive, if highly functional, building you see now was completed in 1930. It has a classical, if formal, style with gray limestone sheathing. The entrance way is quite elaborately decorated with symbols of the various military services engaged in naval activities using Pewabic tiles.

How should artists and crafts people be supported? Our schools are filled with talented people seeking to be creative, but artists fail to become financially successful. Should we depend upon the market place to support the arts and crafts, or depend upon rich patrons? What about the government as a source of support? After 1933, the Roosevelt Administration realized that deficit spending might prime the economic pump, so an elaborate Works Project Administration funded building activities in many cities. That administration also supported a Federal Artist Project to support the creative arts. Captain Brodhead realized that these federal funds would allow for the decoration of the Armory that bears his name. And thus, this building is one of the most unusual and impressive buildings of its type. It reflects the creativity of many Detroit artists who otherwise would have been unemployed.

You will find extensive woodworking including doors, carvings and fireplace embellishments done by John Tabaczuk. There are several paintings of naval vessels by Edgar Yeager (1883-1969). Elaborate murals were painted in four rooms, including a 60 foot mural with naval themes painted by David Fredenthal. This building has a collection of murals ranking second in Detroit to the Detroit Institute of Arts. There are quite a few plaster wall carving representing nautical themes done by Gustave Hildebrand. This is an unusual example of how federal tax dollars were spent to support the fine arts.

Architects: William Buck Stratton (1865-1938)
Date of Completion: 1930
Use in 2002: Its use is the same as at the time of its construction. It is an armory for the Marine Corps Reserve.
National Register of Historic Places: : added 1994 - Building #94000662