Fort Riley, Building No. 373, 373 Stone Court, Riley, Riley County, KS

Significance: Building #373 is one of ten rock-faced limestone duplexes built on Stone Court in 1939. It was one of the last rock-faced quarters built on post. The ten structures appear in two variations. Those like Building #373 have hipped roofs and entrances with entablatures above. The others, like Building #375 have gable roofs with half-round arches over the entrances. These buildings are identical to their brick counterparts built eight years earlier in 1931 on Lower Brick Row and in 1939 on Riley Place. This standardization of plans reflects the army's wish to economize and also the need to construct many residences as rapidly as possible during the expansion years of the 1930's. The Army Corps of Engineers built courts specifically to save money on roads and utility services. The structures' simple, plain ornamentation was also reflective of their usage by warrant officers (a lower ranking officer). Though the Corps erected several courts during the 1930's at Fort Riley, Stone Court is unique. While Lower Brick Row was built around a central court, with the road surrounding both the houses and the court, Stone Court is basically a court turned inside out. The two parallel lines of residences are placed back-to-back with the road running down the center. Their facades face onto grassy fields while their rear elevations look out over the street. This plan allows for easy automobile access while granting the facade of the house a pleasing vista. Building #373 and all of the Stone Court residences were built during the construction boom of the 1930's. This boom began in 1927 when the Corps began to replace temporary World War I structures with permanent buildings. The army launched a $148 million project which was to cover a ten-year period. The Depression accelerated the pace and volume of construction as Washington politicians began to expand all public works efforts in 1929 to relieve unemployment.
Survey number: HABS KS-54-Q
Building/structure dates: 1939 Initial Construction