Travel Back in Time: Hyannis Armory [VIDEO]

The Town of Barnstable shaped John F. Kennedy's life and legacy.

Barnstable is the largest, and only, city (yes, it is technically a city) on the Cape. The town, named after Devon Barnstaple, was first settled in 1638 after Bartholomew Gosnold explored the area in 1602. It was named an All American Town in 2007.

Historically, people came to Barnstable for its industry - salt mills and clay. Today, tourism is its biggest draw and it's attracted high-profile visitors and residents.

As we all know, the most famous family to summer in town are the Kennedys. The Kennedys still have their compound in Hyannis Port. The compound was the summer home of President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy.

Perhaps one may say the Hyannis Armory is where the Kennedy "Camelot" era began.

The Armory is located on the corner of South and Ocean streets. It was home to the National Guard, Barnstable Recreation Department, Sturgis Basketball team among other activities and programs.

Barnstable is a town full of rich history, stories and tales.

• The armory was built in 1958. The armory hosted Battery D of the 685th AAA Machine Gun Battalion of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
• President-elect John F. Kennedy gave his victory speech on November 9, 1960 at the Hyannis Armory. 
• This facility does not have indoor plumbing nor gas heat. 

Plans to demolish the Hyannis Armory crumbled in 2008 along with the economy.

Researchers are busy exploring the possibility of turning the Armory into a cultural center with a new $25,000 grant issued earlier this year. 

What do people remember about the Hyannis Armory? 

Andrew Milk, 67, is a Hyannis resident who attended community college at what is now the Town Hall building. He said, "When I see the armory I think of the community college across the street. After the assassination I was at the community college looking across the street thinking about such joy and happiness that took place there. I thought of the tragedy."

Milk watched the Kennedy's Presidential acceptance speech at his Hyannis home.

Lisa Carlon, who remembers the building from her early 20s, said she recalled doing jazzercise exercise classes in the armory.

Do you have a memory of the armory? Did you buy your beach sticker there in '09 or see swaths of Secret Service agents during Kennedy's acceptance speech? Have an idea of what it should be turned into? Tell us in the comments!