69th Regiment Armory, 1917
The 69th Regiment of the New York National Guard was formed in 1848. Owing to
its roots in the area around Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, one of New York’s
historic Irish neighborhoods, the 69th Regiment has had a largely Irish membership
throughout much of its history. The regiment saw action during many of the major
battles of the Civil War and served with distinction during the First World
War, were it earned the title the “Fighting 69th.” The names of battles in which
the 69th Regiment fought in both the Civil War and First World War have been
placed on the front of the unit’s Lexington Avenue armory.
