Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Hobson.
Hi Susan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Armory is a very special place. Its uniqueness stems from a blending of a remarkable 84 year history which include the memories of great dances, skate rink fun, famous concerts, dignitaries, conferences and community gatherings. The building was originally used by the military with the focus on entertainment. The USO shows brought Bob Hope and his Troupe, Vice President Nixon in 1959, many big time concerts
The building was bought by The Friends of the Astoria Armory in 2013. It had been idle for almost 30 years prior and had been used as storage for the Maritime Museum. Our determined non-profit founders decided to reopen the Armory with a huge event, a roller derby match featuring the Shanghai Roller Dolls.
The historic Armory designed by Ebba Wicks Brown and her father John E. Wicks feature a beautiful domed Lamella or Hollander diamond shaped ceiling.`There are a few distinctive buildings with similar design, such as the New Orleans Superdome and the Houston Astrodome. However, the Armory’s ceiling is made of wood making it one of a kind.
In the summer of 2025, Care Oregon and the Oregon Street Alliance donated a massive 129′ x 29″ mural called “The Gateway”. This gorgeous mural designed by Casey McEneny sparked incredible dialog as folks watched the art unfold throughout the summer. The banner at the bottom of the mural reads, “Together we are stronger”. This vibrant mural can be seen from the Megler Bridge as well as the Columbia River and serves as a “Welcome to Astoria” landmark for travelers coming in from Highway 30.
Our Historic Sign Museum, set on the walls of the Mezzanine was curated by Jeff Daly. Astoria born, he has collected signs since he was a kid. His collection shows the art of signage, featuring some very sought after collectibles of hand painted signs of the times past. The tour with placards describing the story of the signs invokes nothing but well-loved memories from folks who counted and frequented establishments long since gone. This little moment in time sparks such joy for many!
After Covid, we like everyone, had to regroup. We lost 2 1/2 years plus all the grant programs and donations that had been in place. We received an incredible gift in December of 2025. Jeff Daly, whose own personal memories of the fun and community of Armory, donated $50,000 for new skates, lighting and a sound system. This generosity helped us gain momentum. Our skate nights rock! For the first time ever, we are keeping the Armory Skate Night open both Friday and Saturday nights. We have been able to build programs and have an adult Roller Fit class on Wednesday and Sunday. In the winter months, Futsal, Youth Soccer, and Pickleball practice in our gym. A grant from 100 Women allowed us to sponsor a roller hockey teen group every week and create a quiet room called Molly’s Room for those who are sensory challenged . We are currently developing a program for folks with special needs to enjoy skating or scooting. This program is called “It Takes All Wheels”.
The Armory is a diverse blank slate. Its 15000 square foot floor can be a marketplace, merchandize center for events such as Short Circuit and the Goonies. The Armory hosts over 50,000 guests each year. We live steam for conferences and provide meeting places including private parties, dances, weddings, school events, skating rink fun with our own amazing DJ and assistant manager, Sam Dinkowitz.
Our goals are to continue repairing our historic registered building, keeping her alive and well. We are pursuing grant opportunities and are very grateful for donations. As the funds come in, we will continue to develop programs to benefit our community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Money is always the toughest road. A building on the historic registry is blessed and cursed at the same time. The protection offered to maintain the structure is welcome but can be a hindrance as it elevates the costs to beyond the budget. From roof to heater, it is never ending.
Refinancing in May was a huge hurdle. At the end of the day, in any non-profit, the struggles are part of the job.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a heartfelt volunteer as I retired in 2020 as we closed our company after 54 years in business. I have been fortunate to have had 2 careers in construction. The first, I was director of operations and a glass expert in the commercial glass and glazing industry. After 20 years, I took over my husband’s company, a general contractor specializing in painting and drywall. We were honored to be business of the year in a community of 60,000 in Yorba Linda, CA. It was a big honor and a proud moment for us. When my husband passed away, I moved back to Oregon to be close to family.
The skills learned throughout my career have served me well as I am able to work effectively as the president of The Friends of the Astoria Armory. Our diverse and engaged Board of Directors has enabled us to put together a great team of employees and volunteers who just love the Armory!
What’s next?
The Armory is truly a blank space unicorn! It’s potential is huge. Our dream is to safeguard the building, eventually being able to keep our historic building water tight and beautiful. The large clerestory domed windows above the gym are after 84 years need replacement. With the impact of historic committee oversight, the price tag is beyond expensive!
We are constantly reaching out for grants and donations which will enable us to continue to develop and provide affordable community programs, broaden our event hosting capabilities and continue to be a hub for our vital town.
We love Astoria and are tremendously proud to be a part of all the memories and fun!
Pricing:
- Skate Night Friday and Saturday Admission. $4
- Party Rooms Skate Nights $75
- Full Day Rental Private Events. $1175
- Private Party 2 Hour Minimum $375, plus $100 per additional hour
- Mezzanine Rental Skate Night $125
Contact Info:
- Website: https://astoriaarmory.org
Image Credits
Lamella Ceiling- Jeff Daly
Mural Pictures-Jeff Daly
Sign Museum-Jeff Daly
Short Circuit 40th Anniversary – Personal Cell
