The history of the Tonawanda Castle is both unique and powerful. Constructed as an armory for the 25th Separate Company of the Army National Guard, this massive, 38,000 square foot building was completed in the impressively short span of a year and a half, between the winter of 1896 and summer of 1897. With a foundation of Warsaw blue granite and walls of deep red mason brick, this historic building has presided over Delaware Street in the City of Tonawanda for more than 100 years.

This imposing yet surprisingly artful building was designed by Isaac Perry in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style. Considered one of Perry?s most luxurious projects, its cost was approximately $85,000 (equivalent to about $6.8 million today) to complete. Comparatively, the Tonawanda Armory?s total price tag was more than three times that of the other armories designed by Perry.

To mark the inauguration of the armory and the first public assembly of the 25th Separate Company of the New York State National Guard, a Grand Ball was held and attended by more than 1,000 guests in February of 1897.

As per an article written in the Tonawanda Herald article shortly thereafter:

Indeed, it is admitted by experienced military men that no finer institution of the kind exists on the American continent at the present writing.

The armory was purposely designed to incorporate luxury with pragmatism. Beautiful woodwork, thousands of square feet of hardwood floors, and luxurious fireplaces were combined with a drill hall, mess hall, shooting range and swimming pool. The Castle's spacious Parlor room was lit by ornate, handcrafted chandeliers imported from France. In fact, these magnificent light fixtures still remain today, along with a hand painted mural that sits atop a handcarved wood and marble mantelpiece in the same room.

Throughout the years the armory functioned not only as a military establishment, but also as a place for the community. During the two World Wars, the 100 foot turret, rising impressively over Delaware Street, was used as an observation post to monitor the sky. In the 1930s, the drill hall was packed with excited basketball fans watching the games between St. Bonaventure and Niagara University.

In 2004, New York State sold the armory in a private auction. The new owner had a dynamic vision for the building and embarked upon the daunting task of privately and single-handedly restoring the beauty of the building while preserving its connected history. Today, after several years of extensive renovations, the armory has regained its regal personality and is remarkably reflective of the building's glorious past.

In honor of his epic restoration efforts, February 17th in the City of Tonawanda was officially declared Tonawanda Castle day.

The building retains listings on both the National and New York State Historic Registries.