SILENT GROUNDS COLLECTIVE · NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL ARCHIVE
SGC-97 · Research edition September 24, 2026
A photographic history with cited opening dates, collection history and individually credited images. Historic views, later photographs and illustrations are dated separately. This is a selected collection, not an exhaustive inventory.
West Haven’s armory rose at 511 Main Street in 1932–1933. The architectural account credits Fletcher & Thompson with a design that departed from the castle-like vocabulary of earlier Connecticut armories. Its Art Deco character belonged to a newer architectural moment, even though the building still served the familiar purpose of housing a military unit. [SGC97-S2]
The state’s register places its military service between 1933 and 1980. That opening year differs from the first year of construction, a distinction that matters when a building’s age is repeated from postcards, inventories or local recollections. The dates at the top of this article identify which milestone each year describes. [SGC97-S1]
The building later became apartments. That change brought a new pattern of occupation to a structure originally intended for assembly and drill. The linked exterior photograph records the surviving building and allows visitors to follow the details of its street frontage. Its later use is part of the armory’s story, while the history of individual units and residents remains a separate subject for further records. [SGC97-S2]
Includes source text where acquired. Source websites require an internet connection. OCR may contain errors; verify names and dates against the scan.
3 catalog entries
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SGC97-S1 · Historical sources · Source dates described in record
Lists the armory at 511 Main Street with military service from 1933 to 1980.
Linked source. Photographs and documents at the publisher retain their individual rights.
Credit: Connecticut Military Department: West Haven Armory. Cite SGC SGC-97, SGC97-S1, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.SGC97-S2 · Historical sources · Source dates described in record
Photograph and architectural account identifying Fletcher & Thompson, 1932–1933 construction and conversion to apartments.
Linked source. Photographs and documents at the publisher retain their individual rights.
Credit: Historic Buildings of Connecticut: West Haven Armory. Cite SGC SGC-97, SGC97-S2, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.SGC-PHOTO-LINK-005 · Photograph collections · Dates stated by source
See Daniel Sterner’s photograph of the former armory on Campbell Avenue and its architectural history. This source uses the building date 1932; the state service register begins in 1933.
Linked photo collection. Copyright and reuse terms remain with the photographer or publisher. Images have not been copied into this archive.
Credit: Daniel Sterner / Historic Buildings of Connecticut. Cite SGC SGC-97, SGC-PHOTO-LINK-005, source title, page and URL; accessed 2026-09-24.