A building that served as home to Foley's National Guard unit for more than five decades has a new purpose, but the city is making sure its military history remains part of its future.

Foley dedicated its new Activity Center on Thursday, Nov. 5, honoring the National Guard members who served at the site and the generations of local residents who have served their country.

Located at 315 E. Jessamine Ave., the 16,000-square-foot facility operated as the Foley National Guard armory from 1969 until 2023. During the dedication ceremony, participants unveiled a plaque recognizing the National Guard and Foley-area residents who have served in the military during the past century. The recognition marks 100 years since Foley organized its first National Guard unit in 1926.

Local National Guard members, veterans and students from the Foley High School JROTC program joined city officials for the ceremony.

The building previously carried the name of Sgt. William L. Smith, a Foley High School student who joined the National Guard at age 15. His unit was called to active duty during the Korean War in January 1951. Smith was killed in action near Kumwah, Korea, that November, nine days before his 20th birthday.

Smith was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism. During the ceremony, Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich presented the Key to the City and a City Council proclamation to Smith's family. His brother, Nick Jones, accepted the recognition on behalf of the family.

Hellmich also reflected on the significance of preserving Smith's legacy as the building takes on a new role in the community.

"Sergeant Smith gave his life on that battlefield in November of 1951, just nine days shy of his 20th birthday," Hellmich said. "For his extraordinary heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the United States government. While the bricks and mortar of the building have been transformed to serve our community in a new way. Sergeant Smith's name, courage, and sacrifice will remain anchored to this location in the soil, in the area in the time to come."

While the building's military role has ended, its new life as a municipal facility gives residents additional opportunities for recreation and community programming.

The renovated Activity Center features an indoor gymnasium that can accommodate pickleball courts, a basketball court or a volleyball court. The facility also houses the city's Parks and Recreation Department, Communications Department and Leisure Services administration.

Additional spaces include a classroom for recreational programs and senior citizen activities, a climate-controlled area for museum archives and a sensory space designed for special-needs programming and events.

The $1.97 million renovation was designed by Paul Carpenter Davis Architecture, with Del-Con LLC serving as the contractor.

Foley's National Guard unit now operates from a larger armory near the Foley Beach Express. The city donated the land for the new facility in exchange for the property that now houses the Activity Center.