Sheboygan Municipal Auditorium and Armory (commonly known as The Armory) is an indoor arena in Sheboygan, Wisconsin built in 1942 on the city's lakefront as a WPA project.[1][2]
It hosted the National Basketball Association's Sheboygan Redskins from 1942 until 1951. The building was the site of the cross-town basketball rivalry between Central/South High and North High from the building's opening until 2006, when both schools opened large on-campus fieldhouses that seat approximately 3,000 people.[2]
Many of the events that helped shape generations of Sheboyganites were held at this venue. All Star Wrestling, Golden Gloves Boxing, Lakeland College Basketball, The Harlem Globetrotters, Hank Williams JR., Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, Johnny Carson, Polar Bears, Hmong Festival, Festival of Trees, Job Fairs, Circuses, Military Gatherings, Rockets for Schools and the Mayor's International Festival appeared at this venue until its closure at the request of GLASEC[3] supporters, while they raise funds for Spaceport Sheboygan.
The building seats 3,500, with permanent balcony seating and bleacher seating on the floor level. At one time the building was used for circus events, local military gatherings, job fairs and events such as the Festival of Trees Christmas tree showcase and competition. The building is now used a few days a year for GLASEC (Great Lakes Aerospace, Science & Education Center) promotional events.
The building is scheduled to become part of the Great Lakes Aerospace, Science & Education Center, a 52,000-square-foot (4,800 m2) complex, which is the headquarters of proposed Spaceport Sheboygan, a rocket-launching and space education facility.[4][2] The group needs to raise approximately $14.5 million of $17 million (as of September 20, 2006[update]).[2]