ABERDEEN, Wash. — Massive sections of nearly century-old concrete crumble to the ground as construction crews tear down the Aberdeen Armory Building.
The structure was once a symbol of civic pride for the small community.
"It's stricken a lot of nerve for a lot of people. It was a place of gathering for a lot of people, including myself," said Johnny Garcia.
"They had a lot of dances. Big-name bands played there -- Fats Domino, Chubby Checker, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Glen Campbell," said Dann Sears, the conservator of the Aberdeen Museum of History. "Harlem Globetrotters played on that floor twice, the original Harlem Globetrotters."
Years later, the building became the Museum of History and a senior center where Garcia volunteered. Seeing the Armory be reduced to rubble brought him to tears.
"I was out visiting a friend and I passed by and saw this. It just brought a lot of memories back of the lasagna feeds," said Garcia.
In June 2018, the building caught fire, destroying roughly a quarter of the historical items showcased inside.
"There's a lot of things in there that were just irreplaceable," said Mery Swanson, an Aberdeen resident.
The things they managed to save are being kept in a warehouse where Sears works diligently to restore them.
"Seeing it go up in smoke and not being able to do anything, that's why I like it better over here, so I don't have to see the building anymore," he said.
Those who grew up coming to the Armory said nothing will ever compare.
"The building can't be replaced, but Aberdeen is strong and we'll get through it," said Garcia.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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