National Register Plaque - "This property has been place on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior A military unit of some type has existed in Hopkins County since the early 1800s. Men from the county made up part of the First Kentucky Mounted Militia commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Caldwell, and many other area settlers fought in the Indian Wars of 1812.
"In the following years, the organized militia was carried on as a unit of the Seventy-sixth Infantry, and was maintained under Colonel Alexander M. Henry and his successors, with regular musters at stated periods or on summons. The uniforms were strictly prescribed by law, and officers of the staff were required to attend drills fully uniformed and accoutred."
Men from Hopkins County also served during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I, where they patrolled the Mexican border. The men were also sent to France during World War I, where they served as replacements for the regular Army.
In 1926, Headquarters Company of the 3rd Battalion/149th Infantry, was formed in Madisonville and federally recognized on June 1, 1926. The men were called up for their first state active duty on November 24, 1927, where they served riot duty in connection with the hanging of two men.
The unit saw action in World War II, where they served in the Pacific Theater, earning campaign participation credit for service in New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon. Upon returning from World War II, the unit was disbanded, but then reorganized as Company C, 243rd Tank Battalion in 1946. The company was not activated for Korea. In 1958, the company received an "Excellent" rating.
The unit next saw active duty in September 25, 1961, when they were mobilized for the Berlin crisis and sent to Fort Stewart, Georgia for training. The men were never sent overseas, but spent a year in training. Upon returning in 1962, a picnic was held for the men, and later that evening, a dance took place in the armory. In 1962, the unit received another honor when they were named the state's best company in the 149th Armor Battalion.
In May, 1963, further reorganizations took place, and over the next few years, the company in Madisonville was the Scout platoon, the 3rd Medium Tank Battalion, and finally, Company C, 123rd Armor. Currently, Company A, 2/123rd Armor is stationed in Madisonville; they have been there since 1973.
The National Guard has served state active duties for flood and snow emergencies. Other state duties include: direct support of the prison at Central City; they would be among the first ones called in an emergency, such as riots. The Madisonville National Guard is also the secondary unit for the state prison in Eddyville in case of riots or escapes (Benton is the primary unit for Eddyville). The unit also participated in the 1974 truckers strike, and in July of 1997 the Madisonville unit provided security at the state prison in Eddyville during the execution of Harold McQueen.
The Madisonville National Guard has been active in the community. They participated in the Hopkins County Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedication ceremony in November 1985, hosted an open house followed by a dance in the armory in the 1980s, and acted as Santa's helpers by giving out gifts to needy people. The National Guard has also participated in war games with the regular Army at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and in 1987 the unit won the prestigious Draper award for defeating a regular Army tank unit from Tennessee.
The armory was finished and occupied in late 1946, but was not dedicated until 1947. The armory sits on 4.8 acres which were donated by the city, and are now state-owned. The two-story red brick building with one-story wings on either side sits on top of a hill. The basement of the building serves as the maintenance and storage area for military vehicles. In all, the building has four different levels.
The armory has a limestone entry surround with a large eagle etched into the stone. Above the eagle, the words "National Guard Armory" are spelled out in brass letters with two brass stars on either side. The building sits on a raised concrete foundation on a fall-away lot. Many of the original interior wooden doors and hardware are still intact, as are the original radiators. A small glass ticket window (original) is located on the right side of the entry in the front hall of the armory. A small ticket booth reveals that the armory was intended as both a community and military center for the city of Madisonville. One of the earliest buildings to serve as an armory in Madisonville was a church, but the specific dates of use and location are unknown.
Photos and information courtesy Kentucky Heritage Council -- Report No. 25" Inventory and Evaluation of National Guard Armories in the State of Kentucky" - 1999 by Kate Carothers.