Marshall County Scout History

1912

The founder of Scouts worldwide, Lord Baden Powell, comes to Marshall County to promote Boy Scouting.  The first director of the Woodcraft Camp in Culver is Daniel Carter Beard, the National Scout Commissioner.  When that year’s Woodcraft Camp ended, Mr. Beard trained Judge Alvin Marsh and others to be Scoutmasters.

On August 21, Judge Marsh started the first Boy Scout Troop in Plymouth, with Mearl Strombeck being one of the charter members.  Troop #1 met regularly on Julia Blain’s lawn and had their first camp out at Packard Woods that September.

December 4, Perry W. Uncapher (Judge Marsh’s brother-in-law) started the 1^st Boy Scout Troop in Knox.

1913

The Boy Scouts hold their first summer camp at Pretty Lake.

1917

The first Boy Scout band was formed, and Troops are started in Bremen, Argos, Tippecanoe, Tyner, and LaPaz.

1926

Dr. Donoghue “the Oldest Scout” and Eddie Bergman “the Smallest Scout” were recognized as such at a gathering of 10,000 Scouts in Chicago.

1928

On September 1^st, Boy Scouts united to place 3,400 markers across the nation on the Lincoln Highway.  Markers were placed every mile from New York to San Francisco on this famous highway.

1929

The Boy Rangers were organized in June by Dr. Donoghue.  This filled the need for younger boys.  The Cub Scouts would not be formed until 1930.

1931

The first Silver Beaver award in Marshall County was presented to Judge Alvin Marsh.

The Sea Scouts of Plymouth are organized and the first summer camp program is held at Lake of the Woods’ Camp Copen-Nuck-Con-Bee.

1932

The Sea Scouts build an operating diving helmet and use it for dives at Pretty Lake.

1933

The Sea Scouts travel totally by water to the Chicago World’s Fair.

1937

Four Scouts from Marshall County attend the 1937 National Jamboree in Washington D.C.

1940

Tom Nichols became the third Eagle Scout in the Nichols family of Knox, after brothers Orville and Bob.

1941

The Silver Beaver award was presented to Mearl Strombeck.

1943

Bob Slough became the third Eagle Scout in the Slough family of Bourbon, after brothers Thomas and Jim.

1950

The Boy Scouts purchased 91 acres at Myers Lake from William Goddard for $8,000.

1951

The Boy Scouts raised money to purchase the Statue of Liberty placed on the east side of the Marshall County Courthouse in Plymouth.  Dedicated July 4, 1951.

In the early 1950’s Argos Explorer Post #255, led by Bruce Van Der Weele, was the largest per capita post in the country.

1956

On November 15, Eagle Scout Arthur Grove received the Silver Beaver award, which is the highest award in Explorer Scouting.

1962

On January 10, Troop #255 has six of their Scouts attain the rank of Eagle.

1967

Clifford Adams received the Silver Beaver on November 28.

1971

Charles Garnand received the Silver Beaver on June 22.

1972

Dewey Martin received the Silver Beaver award.

1977

William McQueen received the Silver Beaver on June 23.