Whenever I come across a massive, impregnable-looking building that often occupies an entire city block, I’m glad that, by and large, it is no longer serving its original purpose. Huge armories still dot the urban landscape, constructed for storing, manufacturing, and repairing weapons and equipment, and sometimes serving as the headquarters and training facility for military units. Their abundance in the United States reminds me that, not so long ago, we were involved in some serious wars and were in danger of being attacked during, for instance, the Civil War and both World Wars. Today, many of them operate as something much more peaceful—an art gallery, perhaps, or an athletic center. Yet the integrity of their architecture remains, and that makes them fascinating sights to see. Read about the top five armories >