National Guard armories are a centerpiece of many communities around the country, and one South Carolina armory that has been a fixture in Columbia since the 1930s is getting a much-needed facelift.

The historic armory in the Olympia mill village neighborhood begins an estimated year-long restoration project this month. The armory, built in the mid-1930s as a Works Progress Administration project, has a storied history and is getting new life thanks state funding.

Garvin Design Group, a Columbia-based architecture firm specializing in restoration of historic structures, is spearheading the project.


The firm released a statement on the renovation project.

“Our firm worked on several other projects in the mill village including the Olympia and Granby Mills and 701 Whaley, so the Olympia Armory project feels like a homecoming. We so enjoyed researching the history of the building, designing a rehabilitation plan, assisting the Office of the Adjutant General with the State Historic Preservation Office review process, and now working with Solid Structures to give this building a new life. This building’s story is very much about service to the community, and it’s an honor to help ensure it will continue to serve that purpose.”

The armory opened on June 26, 1937 with military drills and a community dance. Throughout World War II the armory housed the Home Defense Corps while National Guard units normally in the armory were federalized. Later, the armory was used for non-commissioned officer school and the South Carolina Army National Guard’s Palmetto Military Academy to train officers. The armory, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in January 1995.

The building was also slated to include a stage and a balcony since it was intended to host community gatherings, civic functions, and meetings. During pre-construction inspections crews found hardwood floors under carpets where the stage had been walled off. During renovations the stage will be opened back up

The $4.2 million funded by the State of South Carolina for ongoing facility renovations and previous improvements to sanitation systems, linking to the City of Columbia’s sewer system. During the renovation hardwood floors will be replaced, updates will be made to the kitchen, as well as latrines. Drop ceilings will be removed exposing original trusses as well as upgrading mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. The existing historic windows will be removed, cleaned and glazed for energy efficiency and re-installed.

“We want to restore the building to its original appearance and while maintaining the historic aspects,” said Mike Young, senior project manager with the South Carolina Military Department.
Long-time Olympia resident, and local historian Sherry Jaco, said the historic armory is a fixture within the community.

“The armory was always just there,” Jaco said.

From a polio clinic, local high school basketball games and National Guard training, the Olympia armory is part of the fabric of the Olympia community.

Jaco added many of the male students from the adjacent high school, that shared space on Granby Street with the armory, joined the National Guard.

Once renovations are complete the armory will house the South Carolina State Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment.