Madison County Council BSA

Boy Scouts of America

A Brief Early History

On March 9, 1921 a meeting was held of the citizens of Oneida, New York for the purpose of organizing a local council of the Boy Scouts of America. This meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce rooms. At the time of this meeting there were three troops in Oneida totaling 90 boys. These three troops consisted of:

• Troop 1 -- Scoutmaster George Macauly
• Troop 2 -- Scoutmaster Philip Starr
• Troop 3 -- Scoutmaster Frank Seibert

The first elected officers of the Oneida Council were:

• President -- Dr. F. W. Miller
• 1st Vice President -- Edwin Park
• 2nd Vice President -- Walter Wilcox
• 3rd Vice President -- Dr. R.L. Crockett
• Secretary -- C.M. Kingsbury Jr.
• Treasurer -- T.J. McCouliff

On May 28th of the same year Commissioner Kingsbury reported that Troop 3 of the 1st Methodist Church was too large and was divided into two troops. Troop 3 at the time had 50 boys. The new troop was to be Troop 4.

It was proposed that ten troops be established in Oneida. It was further suggested that troops be formed in Oneida Castle, Munnsville, and Durhamville and that they come under the jurisdiction of the Oneida Council.

The Council did not operate a summer camp. Troops 1 and 2 went to Camp Russell at White Lake. Troops 3 and 4 went to Oneida Lake.

The record shows that Troop 1 had its first Court of Honor on May 25th, 1921. Five Scouts were awarded First Class.

October 3, 1921 -- The Troop Organization Committee reported new troops at St. John's and St. Paul's Churches. It was expected that one or more troops would be organized at St. Patrick's. Troops 3 and 4 planned to consolidate. The camp committee was instructed to secure plans for a permanent camp. The Boy's Work Committee of the Rotary Club presented a plan for establishing a first class council.

Madison County Council 1922

The membership and location of the troops in the Oneida Council were as of April 26, 1922 were:

• 1st Presbyterian Church -- 26
• 1st Presbyterian Church -- 12
• 1st Methodist Church -- 17
• 1st Methodist Church -- 8

At the Oneida City Hall an organization meeting was held on December 18, 1922 for the purpose of organizing Madison County Council. The Executive Board was:

• President -- Howard Phelps of Cazenovia
• Vice President (Administration) -- Ralph L. Hinman of Oneida
• Vice President (Trng.) -- Albert H. Campbell of Canastota
• Vice President (Award) -- Theodore H. Skinner of Kenwood
• Treasurer -- James A. Jones of Oneida
• Commissioner -- H.O. Whitnall of Hamilton

The council was divided into four districts. They were:

• District 1
  • Oneida
  • Durhamville
  • Lenox
  • Merrillsville
  • Munnsville
  • Oneida Castle
  • Pratts
  • Stockbridge
  • Vernon
  • Verona
  • Wampsville
• District 2
  • Canastota
  • Bridgeport
  • Chittenango
  • Clockville
  • Peterboro
  • Oneida Valley
  • South Bay
• District 3
  • Hamilton
  • Bouckville
  • Brookfield
  • Earlville
  • Eaton
  • Hubbardsville
  • Lebanon
  • Leonardsville
  • Madison
  • Morrisville
  • North Brookfield
  • Poolville.
• District 4
  • Cazenovia
  • DeRuyter
  • Erieville
  • Georgetown
  • Nelson
  • New Woodstock
  • Perryville

The first budget was $5,800. The Chamber of Commerce offered the use of their office space. It was noted that 27 other county councils were organized in 1922 in Region II.

Madison County Council 1923

In 1923 the council bought a Ford Sedan for the use of the Scout Executive John W. Northup. A Scout Field Day was held on June 30th at Lake Moraine. A scout flag was awarded as the trophy.

The council rented a camp at Lake Moraine for the camping season. The camp was used as a mess hall while the council supplied tents and bunks. The aim of this camp was to train Scoutmasters, Assistants, Senior Patrol Leaders and a limited number of older Scouts.

Sometime during this year J.D. Moyer became the Scout Executive.

Madison County Council 1924

In January 1924, the Madison County Council numbered 22 troops with 304 scouts and 44 leaders. The troops planted 50,000 seedlings. In May, a five mile cross country relay race was held and 80 Scouts participated.

The Rotary Club established several over-night camping areas although no mention was made of their location in the council records.

During 1924, two new troops were established, one at Earlville with 25 members and one at Randallsville.

Madison County Council 1925

In February of 1925, the first Pioneer Scouts were registered. No names were given. During this time, the DeRuyter and Randallsville troops were registered. A new troop was established at St. Patricks Church on March 17th with 18 boys. A county round-up was held at Morrisville with 325 out of 515 scouts attending and the council participated in an Eagle Scout Camp and exhibit at the State Fair.

It appears that at this time a Court of Honor was a council or district affair with a great deal of advance publicity. In June of this year, the records show, a 12 foot by 12 foot cook shack was built. The records do not show when the Eatonbrook area was decided as a camp. The records do show that 200 abandoned acres adjacent to the camp site were under consideration for purchase. The camp capacity was expanded to 60.

Madison County Council 1926

In February of 1926 Mr. Ralph Hinman deeded his camp and the waterfront land to the council. The camp became the nucleus of the new mess hall with a 20 foot by 40 foot addition that was built in May. The camp operated for six weeks: July 5 - August 15. The "Toad Hollow Training Troop" was started with 60 out of 72 leaders attending.

It is mentioned that a leaders canoe trip was held in August with 12 attendees. On October 5th, Oneida celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a parade. One hundred Oneida scouts participated with a Bugle Band and a float. On November 16th, a new troop as established in North Brookfield.

Madison County Council 1927

The 1927, Camp Eatonbrook camp season saw the plans completed for a First Aid Cabin, two 16 foot Indian Teepees and six new row boats for the waterfront.

On May 6 and 7, the annual rally was held at Maxwell Field (is was located a couple of blocks from the Elizabeth Street high school) in Oneida. Four hundred scouts and 23 troops participated.

On April 23rd and 30th, 50 scouts and 10 troops planted 10,000 Scotch Pines and White Pines at Camp Eatonbrook. Each scout received the Forestry Merit Badge for his part in the planting.

This was the first year that camp was open to the Camp Fire Girls. They camped for one week and had 65 girls and 12 leaders.

Documentation mentioned "The Totem Pole", a council bulletin that was published "every few weeks."

Troop 10 in Vernon was organized. Troop 24 in Madison, Troop 16 in Perryville and Troop 26 in Eaton re-organized. Troop 13 in Chittenango was dropped from the council rolls. Troop 14 in Oneida, sponsored by Oneida Boy's Club, combined with Troop 6. In August, Scout Executive Moyer resigned.

Madison County Council 1928

In September of 1928 the council moved to their new quarters in the Madison County Trust Building.

Oneida Scouts set out 17,000 seedlings around Glenmore Dam.

During the camp season of 1928, the Order of the Arrow was introduced to Madison County Council. A leader and two scouts from Schenectady County Council installed Gonlix Lodge #34.

The tree planting was not restricted to Oneida. The Cazenovia Troop planted trees around the village reservoir in April. Mr. James D. Boyer was hired as Scout Executive in May of 1928. In August the council archery team placed third in the archery tournament in Syracuse.

Madison County Council 1929

In 1929 the camp fee set at $7.00. A new well was drilled at Camp Eatonbrook. Water was found at a depth of 20 feet.

The Order of the Arrow constitution was adapted this year.

Robert Hollenbeck of Troop 7 in Munnsville went to the World Jamboree at Arrows Mark, Birkenhead, England.

The Troops comprising Madison County Council and their locations in 1929 were:

A scout from Troop 8 in Canastota rescued a girl from drowning in Oneida Lake. The record doesn't give his name. Troop 3 scouts secured fresh Slippery Elm bark for a sick lady at her doctor's request. Troop 7 Munnsville had a quartet and gave five public entertainments during 1929.

Madison County Council 1930

The year 1930 was a year that the scouts had occasion to practice their Good Turn frequently. The Scoutmasters of six Oneida troops mobilized their scouts and in one evening collected 30 bushels of vegetables, 185 pairs of shoes, 150 toys, 850 cans of fruits and vegetables, 130 packages of staples, and 1000 articles of clothing. The items collected were all to be used for relief supplies. Sixteen scouts of Troop 26 Earlville collected toys, food, clothing and money. On Christmas Day, the Scoutmaster complete with Santa Claus outfit, sleigh and horse, and three scouts as helpers visited twelve homes to supply needy children with toys, food and clothing.

Troop 18 in Cazenovia was cited for their Junior Fire Patrol, which had been in operation for several years.

Madison County Council 1931

In 1931, 300 trees were planted at camp. The Madison County Council had 22 troops with 439 scouts.

Madison County Council 1932

In 1932, Mr. Dean E. Swift became the Council Executive. The first Silver Beaver was awarded to Mr. H. G. Phelps of Cazenovia. By this time the council had shrunk its boundaries somewhat to include all of Madison County except Kenwood and Bridgeport, and included Durhamville and Oneida Castle.

Madison County Council 1933

The 1933 Conference of Regional Scout Executives was held at Hamilton. Five thousand trees were planted at camp. Troop 5 of Nelson and Troop 9 of Canastota were drooped from the council rolls. For the first time a Central Administration Plan was mentioned. It appears that in the past the Council Executive was required to spend a day at a central point in each of the four districts to handle council business, much like the Circuit Judges of the court system.

The Executive Board appointed a committee to investigate Cub Scouting and a committee to set up a Sea Scout Camp. It was also decided to launch a drive for more rural boy membership.

The Baptist Boys of Central New York used Camp Eatonbrook during the summer for an unspecified period of time.

Madison County Council 1934

The council finances "hit rock bottom" in 1934. The Cazenovia Troop dropped Sea Scouting, but the Oneida Rotary Club agreed to sponsor a ship. Two farm and Home Patrols were registered through the Cazenovia Central School.

The Camping Committee expressed a hope that more troops would try Troop Camping at Eatonbrook.

Plans were made for a Scout Circus.

Madison County Council 1935

The council application for charter for 1935 stated that Brookfield was not a part of Madison County Council. Very little information is available for this year.

The Silver Jubilee Jamboree was held in 1937 in Washington, D.C. during this year. No figures on council participation are available.

At some time during this year, Mr. R. A. Blauvelt was retained as Scout Executive.

Madison County Council 1936

In 1936, the council found itself still trying to organize a Cub Pack. Seventy Scouts organized to grapple for three bodies lost in Eatonbrook Reservoir.

The council consisted of 23 troops with 508 boys. C. H. Buss was Commodore and Chairman of Sea Scouting with 6 units and 60 boys.

Madison County Council 1937

W. F. Prior was head of the Cubbing committee in 1937. Troop 8 in Cazenovia was established. The council registered 604 scouts and 44 Cubs in 25 Troops, two Ships (Ship 100 in Oneida and Ship 101 in Canastota), and two Cub Packs.

The big Good Turn for 1937 was the collection of 4,000 to 4,500 toys for Mississippi Flood relief.

Madison County Council 1938

Mr. F. R. Crook became Scout Executive in 1938 with 25 Troops and 8 Cub Packs. The membership was 452 Scouts (including two Lone Scouts), 18 Sea Scouts, forty Explorers, and 130 Cubs.

Madison County Council 1939

The only information for 1939 is:

• 32 Boy Scout Troops
• 5 Neighborhood Patrols
• 7 Cub Scout Packs
• 600 Scouts

Madison County Council 1940

A problem developed in 1940 when the Draft Board began to take older Scouts and leaders. The Camp Committee reported there were 125 scouts under the troop camping program at Camp Eatonbrook. The camp fee was set at $6.00 per week. A new pump house was constructed at Camp Eatonbrook in May, 1940.

A medal for heroism was presented to Cub Scout Charles Foote, age 11, of Pack 6 in Hamilton, New York for saving his sister from drowning.

Clifton Tooke was the Scoutmaster for the World's Fair Troop from Madison County Council. Lorenzo Gregory and William Nixdorf were assistant Scoutmasters.

Madison County Council 1941

The year 1941, saw the erection of a twenty-two foot fireplace in the mess hall at Camp Eatonbrook. Three hundred feet of pipe was laid to the camping villages at Camp Eatonbrook.

The council membership was 34 Troops, 1 Sea Scout Ship, and two Explorer Troops. No mention was made of Cub Packs.

Madison County Council 1942

The year 1942 was the first full year of World war II and some new figures appeared in the Executive Board minutes. A total of 100,000 packages of Victory Garden seeds were distributed by the Scouts of Madison County Council.

By this time, the scouts number 640 strong in 46 units in Madison County Council. Madison County Council had the largest percentage increase in units in Region II. Sea Scout Ship 100 was dropped in 1942.

The Camp Eatonbrook camp fee was set at $8.00.

Madison County Council 1943

In 1943, the four district system gave way to a three district system; Northern, Southern and Western Districts. This is the year that the Corps of Commissioners was established.

Mr. J. Fenn Smith and Mr. Louis Lee donated 30 acres of land near Clockville, New York to be known as the "Clockville Site."

Mr. Crook resigned in April and Mr. A. F. Kolm became the Scout Executive.

A total of 17,000 trees were planted by county units and 288,736 pounds of scrap materials were collected.

Madison County Council 1944

The year 1944 was a big year at Camp Eatonbrook. Through the American Legion, the Department of New York, a new dining hall was moved from the DeRuyter C.C.C. Camp at a cost of $1,300. This building was used as a canteen at the C.C.C. Camp. A total of 1,200 shrubs and 2,000 trees were set out at Camp Eatonbrook. This was the first year of county wide Scoutmaster's Roundtable. A total of 559,925 pounds of scrap materials were collected by 356 Scouts and 90 Cubs.

Madison County Council 1945

In 1945, Markum Lodge and Fitch Campus were dedicated at Camp Eatonbrook. Electric service was supplied to all buildings at Camp Eatonbrook.

A total of 305,783 pounds of scrap materials were collected this year. A total of 10 troops ordered 90 nylon tents through Government Surplus. The Eisenhower Medal for collecting a minimum of 1000 pounds of waste paper was awarded to 277 Scouts and Cubs.

Madison County Council 1946

The 1946 Camping and Activities Committee reported that the new dining hall was opened and a new well was drilled to a depth of 81 feet. The Ranger Village received 10 new wall tents. Camp Eatonbrook operated for two weeks with a total of 61 campers.

A county wide meeting was held in the fall for troop leaders. Governor Thomas E. Dewey presented Silver Star Awards to representative scouts at the Regional Annual Meeting to one Cub Pack and Eight Boy Scout Troops. These troops were: 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 18, 20, and 5 The Pack cited was #18. These awards were presented for Camping, Tenure, and promotion of Youth's Great Adventure.

The first camporee after the war was held on June 6, 7, and 8, 1947 at Camp Eatonbrook. Camp Eatonbrook was operated for three weeks this year at a cost of $10.00 per camper. This was the lowest cost in New York State. A dishwashing room was added to the mess hall.

A 10 year long range plan was developed to double the council membership.

Madison County Council 1948

In 1948, Marcellus Lumber Company distributed new handbooks to all Scoutmasters. The following items were donated to Camp Eatonbrook: a cooks' cabin by the Oneida Rotary Club, a steel swimming pier by Oneida Lodge #767 B.P.O Elks, two aluminum canoes by the Girl Scouts, Incorporated and the Oneidas Tribe, and a piano by Mr. Harold J. Dowling.

The council stressed the "Strengthen the Arm of Liberty Program" and the National Scout "Round-Up." Units cooperated with the Rotary Club in the Clothing Collection for Europe.

A 60 gallon hot water system was installed and the new Mohawk Village with new platforms and tents was opened at Camp Eatonbrook. Four weekly periods were held and 110 different scouts from 16 different troops participated. The Girl Scouts and the 4-H Club used the camp for a total of 8 camping weeks serving 585 campers and staff.

This was the first year following the war that Gonlix Lodge #34 of the Order of the Arrow held an initiation. The grand total membership for Madison County Council for 1948 was 883 including adults.

Madison County Council 1949

In 1949, Madison County Council saw the lowering of the age limit to 11 years old for membership in Boy Scouting.

At Camp Eatonbrook, the new Seneca Village was built and the Foresters Village reset (relocated?). The pump house was also built this year.

The Boy Scout Get Together was held in Hamilton, New York on February 11 with 500 in attendance. A Merit Badge Exposition was held in the New York State Armory with 32 booths on April 30 and May 1. Approximately 1000 people visited the two day exposition. The camporee was held on June 3, 4, 5, with 12 units participating including 162 Scouts and 29 leaders.

It was reported that the national Court of Honor had issued letters of Commendation to Scoutmaster William B. Roberts and Boy Scouts Gordon Simpson and Richard Simchik of Troop 21, Durhamville, New York. The award was for Scout like service in attempting to locate and save the life of Robert Lohr who broke through the ice of the Erie Canal on February 16, 1949.

Madison County Council 1950

In 1950, the second National Jamboree was held Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. A. S. Evans was the Scoutmaster and Ellis Hagstrom and Lloyd Plumley served as Assistant Scoutmasters. A total of 35 Scouts participated.

Madison County Council 1951

A new additional to Camp Eatonbrook was the construction of a rifle range by Frank Stone and William Scarlet.

The Oneida Sea Scout Ship acquired two 28 foot Whale Boats from the U.S. navy. These boats were based at Cleveland. Madison County Council was divided into two districts: with Route 20 serving as the north/south dividing line.

A camporee was held in Cazenovia, Wampsville, and Oneida on September 28, 29, and 30. It was dubbed "Operation Polar Bear."

Madison County Council 1952

The 1952 Camporee was the biggest up to that time -- 325 Scouts and leaders in 17 units. The board rate for Camp Eatonbrook was $14.00. A Commissioner's Training Course was held at Sampson Air Force Base on March 14, 15 and 16.

The mess hall fireplace at Camp Eatonbrook was dedicated on July 24th, 1952. The fireplace was given in memory of the late Honorable A. E. Campbell and Mrs. Campbell by the Madison County Girl Scouts, Incorporated.

Madison County Council 1953

Leonard Goff was the Scouter of the Year in 1953. There was water shortage at Camp Eatonbrook.

The 3rd National Jamboree was held at Santa Ana, California. A full troop went from Madison County Council under the leadership of Howard Buss, Robert Clouse and Joseph Anguish.

The total membership for the Madison County Council was 675 Scouts.

Special thanks to Bob Colway of Oneida, New York for providing most of this early history of the Madison County Council. Many thanks to numerous unknown people that worked with Bob, whose identities I do not know, that also helped to record this information.

For some excellent information on Madison County history, go to the Madison County Historian page. 

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Bill Griesmyer -- Last updated 29-August-2010