To spot the State Arsenal, just look for a pale, castle-like building with two square towers topped with “battlements” and a giant arched wooden door-it stands boldly right beside Benefit Street like a fortress waiting for its next adventure.
As you stand here, imagine the year is 1843. The air is brisk, and the echoes of marching boots ring through the chilly Providence streets. This building before you is no ordinary structure-its two battlemented towers and gothic windows might make you think you're auditioning for a part in a medieval movie. But this is the State Arsenal, built straight after a time of political chaos called the Dorr Rebellion. Folks back then were so worried about future uprisings, they decided nothing but a full-priced armored castle would do-so in came architect James C. Bucklin, who, despite usually favoring Greek columns over gothic spires, gave this building a look that makes it seem ready for a dramatic showdown.
Just imagine the clanking and echoing inside that massive hall as the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery drilled and readied themselves for action. This place wasn't just for show-during the Civil War, 10 artillery batteries were sent off from right here, their cannons and hopes rolling down Benefit Street. Those young men must have felt their hearts pounding with excitement and nerves, the air thick with the sharp smell of iron and gunpowder.
During its lifetime, the Arsenal has housed not only the PMCA, but also veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic and those who fought in the Spanish-American War-layers upon layers of people with stories to tell. Oh, and in a twist more awkward than a misplaced cannonball, in 1924, the Ku Klux Klan tried to hold a secret meeting here; but Governor Flynn shut that down faster than you can say “not on my watch.”
Talk about a building that’s moved with the times-literally! In 1906, they picked the whole thing up and moved it just across the lot to make way for a train tunnel. I hear the neighbors were impressed-and perhaps a bit alarmed-by the literal castle on the move.
Today, the Arsenal is still alive with tradition, holding ceremonies for today’s artillery and keeping company with countless military relics. So when you look at these walls, remember, they’ve stood through rebellion, war, parades, and some serious party crashers! If you linger quietly, you just might imagine the shuffle of boots and the distant clang of medals.
