700 N. Lynn Ave. ~ Pawhuska, OK 74056 ~ Phone: (918) 287-9119
Life size Boy Scout bronze statue located at the entrance of the MuseumUpcoming Events!
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Site last updated: May 27, 2009
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First Boy Scout Troop in America
The first Boy Scout troop in America was organized in Pawhuska, Osage County, Oklahoma, in May 1909 by Reverend John F. Mitchell. Rev. Mitchell was a missionary priest from England sent to St. Thomas Episcopal Church by the Church of England.
Rev. Mitchell, who had been associated in scout work with Lord Baden-Powell in England, organized the troop of Boy Scouts under English charter and equipped them with English uniforms, manuals, and badges.
The charter members of the troop were: Douglas Foote, Jack Hutchings, John I. Johnson, Robert MuGuire, Lee Copeland, Cliff Ferguson, Thomas Leahy, Walter B. Johnson, Tom Leahy, Joe McGuire, Clyde Wilson, Dick Millard, "Spider" Hinkle, Clemmer Curtis, Roland Blanc, Alex Tinker, Jack Coffey, Rogers Leahy, and Roland McGuire.
A granite marker with a picture and names of the 19 charter members of the troop was donated by G. B. Hale of Pawhuska and placed at the end of the historic Triangle Building in downtown Pawhuska. The marker is now in front of the Osage County Historical Society Museum, on Lynn Avenue.
This life size bronze Boy Scout statue was placed in front of the museum and dedicated on July 5, 1976. The Pawhuska Kiwanis Club made this project their contribution for the Bicentennial. Twenty-four 14 inch model bronze were cast and sold for $1,150 each, providing the funds for the large statue. Bill Sowell, local artist and sculptor, made the original model. His assistants in casting the bronze at Turkey Track Foundry, Nelagoney, were Tom Proctor, John McGraw and Andy Caire.