MATTHEWS DINING HALL/MATTHEWS HALL DORMITORY

Transcription

1 The late Rev. Harry Miller from Ada, OK, Scout Executive of the former Pontotoc Council, began Camp Simpson in the early 1930's as a small 120-acre camp on the present site. The Delaware Indians had been relocated there when Oklahoma was "Indian Territory". The creek that ran through the camp was named Delaware Creek, after the Delaware Indians who had previously occupied the site. In August of 1934, the Pontotoc Council, BSA began the purchase of property in Southeastern Oklahoma, which would eventually become known as Camp Simpson. Geologist, John Fitts, had discovered the property, which included an attractive swimming site named 'Witch Hole'. The council did not have the funds necessary to purchase the property, so R.W. Simpson, M.O. Matthews and other civic leaders put up the cash to buy the property. Rev. Miller would traditionally change the name of the Camp to honor benefactors of the council, with the final name of CAMP SIMPSON sticking in honor of Mr. Simpson in the 1950's. MATTHEWS DINING HALL/MATTHEWS HALL DORMITORY The Matthews Dining Hall was built in 1935, took 1-1/2 years to build and was named after M.O. Matthews. The Scouts received help with the construction of a dining hall from prison labor that traveled from Stringtown, Oklahoma to work on the building. The prisoners were housed in eight wooden cabins that were built in an area located between the Matthews Dining Hall and the new Archery Range. Each cabin housed eight prisoners. The cabins remained standing until the 1980's and were torn down after 1991 when the Carlock Lodge was built. Timbers for the Matthews Dining Hall were hand cut and trimmed for the truss roof by the prisoners. Rock for the walls was quarried from the rock hill behind Matthews. The rocks were transported down the hill by a pulley system using a wooden sled that was pulled by a mule. Rocks to build the fireplace in the Matthews Dining Hall were solicited from BSA Councils all across the nation. The fireplace boasts a unique collection of rock from all of the lower 48 contiguous states. The porch on the front of the Matthews Dining Hall was once a screened in porch that was used as an extended dining area when there were more campers than seats in the main dining area. The Matthews Dining Hall was converted in mid 1980's to the Matthews Hall Dormitory containing bunkbeds that sleep 34 people and has indoor bath facilities, including four showers. On the stone steps of Matthews Hall Dorimitory it reads... "Matthews Hall, 1935" The dedication plaque on the rock fireplace reads... "Richard W. Simpson - 2/9/1878-9/3/1955 Through his efforts Camp Simpson was made possible. His love for humanity and for the ideals 1 / 9

2 of scouting were at the same time of his inspiration and reward." FIRST-AID/HEALTH LODGE NOW CAMPMASTER QUARTERS The First-Aid/Health Lodge was constructed from leftover rock in 1936 after the completion of Matthews Dining Hall. The small rock building, although still standing between Matthews and Phil-Kit had not been used for many years due to extreme termite damage. In Fall, 2003-Spring, 2004, work began to renovate it into the CampMaster Headquarters, with previous stone work remaining totally intact and all roofing and board replaced. An addition of a bathroom and kitchenette will be added to the back of the building scheduled for completion by Summer Camp, PHILCRAFT HALL/PHIL-KIT LODGE The Philcraft Hall building was constructed in 1938 with funds of $1, donated by Frank Phillips. It was built of rock and contained a fireplace and a small room in the NE corner of the building that was the trading post. Philcraft Hall was used in the early years of Camp Simpson as a craft area and trading post. Philcraft Hall was remodeled by removing the small room that was the trading post, adding a freestanding propane heater and converted to a dormitory. A front porch was also added. In 1979, the name was changed from Philcraft Hall to Phil-Kit Lodge in recognition of both Frank Phillips and Henry A. "Hank" Kittrell. It currently houses bunkbeds that sleep 32 people. The first dedication plaque reads... "Philcraft Hall Grateful appreciation is extended to the volunteer's, Scouts and Leaders who constructed this building and to the noted philanthropist who provided the funds, Frank Phillips." The second dedication plaque reads... "Phil-Kit Lodge 1979 To the memory of one who found and shared the magic of Scouting. Henry A. "Hank" Kittrell - Ardmore May this building serve Boys as a haven for the future development of his Ideals." SWINGING BRIDGE The Swinging Bridge, located next to the Cherokee Campsite, was built in 1951 with pipe donated by Interstate Oil Pipeline Company. It took 5 days to build the bridge. The bridge crosses the creek between the lake dam and the low water dam. You can see the low water dam and Cub Scout Aquatics area from the bridge. THE LAKE AT CAMP SIMPSON During 1965, the U. S. Corps of Engineers planned to build a flood control conservation lake on the Delaware Creek, two miles north of Camp Simpson. When the Council learned of this, the leaders asked if the dam could be built further downstream so that the scouts could access a 2 / 9

3 portion of the lake frontage. Congressman Carl Albert, who was Speaker of the House at the time, made a visit the Camp Simpson and soon the Corps decided that there would be no problem building the dam where the scouts wanted it located. The lake was finished in The plaque located at the Cherokee Campsite reads... "Delaware Creek Watershed Project Floodwater Retarding Dam #19 Drainage Area - 10,784 acres Total Storage - 5,122 Ac.ft. Water Surface Area - 67 acres Height of Dam - 70 ft. Volume of Fill - 353,483 Cu.Yds. Built under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act by Johnston County Soil and Water Conservation District and Lower Clear Boggy River Conservancy District with assistance of the Soil Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1966" This picture of the lake was taken before the waterfront was upgraded with pavilions and lifeguard tower. OLD RIFLE RANGE The old Boy Scout Rifle Range was originally built around In , the Rifle range was upgraded with funds provided by Carl Cumpton. Claud Burris and Doc Hayhurst also helped Carl build the facility. CHAPMAN PAVILION Originally starting out as an old Army tent, the old nature pavilion was replaced by the Chapman Pavilion, which is a large covered picnic pavilion in the Cub Scout area. Funds to build the Chapman Pavilion were provided by Fred Chapman in honor of his son, Alec Chapman, an Eagle Scout. The dedication plaque for the Chapman Pavilion reads... "June, 1979, in memory of Alec". CAPITAL CAMPAIGN In 1980, Arbuckle Area Council, BSA embarked on a major capital campaign to acquire more property at Camp Simpson and provide endowment funding for the future. Volunteers, civic leaders and parents became involved in the effort. On, 19, in the Blue Room of the Oklahoma State Capitol Building, Governor George Nigh presented R. Troy Lehman, who served as a Representative for the youth of the Arbuckle Area Council, BSA, with a check for $1,300, which was enough to purchase an additional 900 acres of land and create a substantial trust to insure that the program would remain intact for future scouts. CASPER DUFFER LODGE The Duffer Lodge was built in It is a wooden building with a front and back porch and 3 / 9

4 contains a large furnished living room area complete with queen size sleeper sofa, sleeping areas housing bunkbeds that sleep six, a small furnished kitchen, 2 restrooms, 1 shower and a fireplace. It serves as the first-aid station during summer camp. The Casper Duffer Lodge dedication plaque reads... "Casper Duffer Lodge, dedicated June 24, Donated by friends and scouters in honor of his years of selfless service to the welfare of young people. "Your faithfulness endures to all generations." Psalms 119:90" AMPHITHEATER The concrete amphitheater overlooking Lake Sam Noble was built in with funds from the Capital Campaign and is the staging area for Opening and Closing Ceremonies for each week of Summer Camp. The beautiful view of the Indian Camp across the lake is clearly visible from the Amphitheater. The dedication plaque for the amphitheater reads... "Dedicated to the memory of George McClintock and Ray Lambert of Ada". CHOATE CHAPEL Choate Chapel was built on a hill overlooking the lake in Funds to build the wooden A-frame open Chapel were provided by the Choate Family. Since the view from Choate Chapel is so beautiful and is one of Carl Cumpton's favorite places, in 1997 a small area to the side of Choate Chapel caught the eye of Wade Hisle and Jerry Dupree. They constructed a rock bench with a small rock path leading to it from which Carl and other campers could sit and admire the beautiful views of Lake Sam Noble, Inspiration Point and other parts of the camp. The rows of wooden benches in front of Choate Chapel were replaced with metal ones in the summer of The dedication plaque for Choate Chapel reads... "Choate Chapel Donated by the Choate Family of Marietta, Okla. Construction completed May, 1987" RANGER'S HOUSE The Camp Simpson Ranger's House was built in with funds from the Capital Campaign. MABEE DINING HALL A larger dining hall was built in 1984, using funds from the capital campaign and the main Boy Scout activities were moved up the hill to the North, closer to where the new campsites were constructed. The dining hall would only get to be used for two summer camps. The last official function in the dining hall was the Order of the Arrow Section 3 Conclave held in April, Chief cooks, John Parker and R. Tim Lehman, served 305 arrowmen three meals a day. Shortly after the Conclave, the dining hall was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire on May 11, During Summer Camp, 1986, meals were prepared once again in the old Matthews 4 / 9

5 Dining Hall. Meals were carried to the campsites in thermal containers and served from the back of a pickup. Campers ate at their campsites. The new Mabee Dining Hall, in honor of J.E. and L.E. Mabee, was built on the same concrete slab as the old dining hall in 1987 using insurance money of $300,000 plus an additional $60-70,000. The dedication plaque for the Mabee Dining Hall reads... "This building made possible by gifts from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation and Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation The original building was constructed in 1984 and destroyed by fire on May 11, 1986 Re-dedicated October 18, 1987 Camp Development Committee Chairman Ben Mobley, Ardmore -- Virgil Morris, Pauls Valley Carl Cumpton, Ardmore -- Roger Hughes, Ardmore Bill Thompson, Ada -- Ken Ball, Ada Mike McCulloh, Council President Jim Cain, Scout Executive" The dedication plaque/display for the Mabee Dining Hall was made possible by friends in memory of Weldon Melton, These pictures are of the old Mabee Dining Hall being built and after it was completed in MERRICK MAINTENANCE BUILDING The Merrick Maintenance Building was constructed in 1987 and is located behind the Ranger's House. The dedication plaque for the building reads... Merrick Maintenance Building Primary funding provided by The Merrick Foundation Construction completed May, 1987" GODDARD STORAGE BUILDING The Goddard Storage Building was constructed in 1987 and is located behind the Ranger's House. The dedication plaque for the building reads... Goddard Storage Building Primary funding provided by The Charles Goddard Foundation Construction completed May, 1987" SAM McDANIEL ACTIVITY PAVILION The Sam McDaniel Activity Pavilion was constructed in It housed the Trading Post and 5 / 9

6 was used as the Craft Area during summer camp until the Summer of The dedication plaque for the building reads... "Sam McDaniel Activity Pavilion, 1989 Camp Simpson, BSA" CAMP SIMPSON GATEWAY The gateway arch above the entrance to Camp Simpson was constructed in Spring storms in 2000 and a mishap with a supply truck in the summer of 2001 damaged the sign. The Camp Simpson Gateway was completely restored in the Spring of 2002 with a new look but still contains the dedication plaque from Future plans include installing two rod iron gates. (pictures and more details will be added in the near future) The dedication plaque reads... " This gateway to the adventure of scouting constructed to honor these men whose service to scouting has too often gone unheralded--- Arvil Hickman - District Scout Executive, Camp Ranger; Martin Clark - Council President, Camp Benefactor; Carl Cumpton - Scoutmaster, Camping Committee Chairman; Doc Hayhurst - Scoutmaster T and beyond." J. HOYLE CARLOCK, JR. LODGE The J. Hoyle Carlock, Jr. Lodge was built in 1991 as a result of a $900,000 trust fund left by J. Hoyle Carlock, Jr. to Arbuckle Area Council. John Hoyle Carlock, Jr., a lifetime resident of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was born May 18, 1910 and died January 19, He was the son of John Hoyle Carlock and Cora Florence Wheeler Carlock, who were pioneer residents of Ardmore. He married Ruth Virginia Small on April 2, 1940 and they had three children---john Hoyle Carlock III, Thomas R. Carlock, and Carol Carlock Dobry. The Carlock Lodge contains a full industrial kitchen, first-aid room, conference room, Great Room which seats 130 people, two offices, restrooms, and three motel-style bedrooms. Since the contruction of the Carlock Lodge only used up $500,000 in funds, the remaining trust was set up to have funds set aside for the maintenance of the facility in the future and to upgrade other Camp facilities. The Cub Scout Aquatics Area was upgraded with a concrete bottom at the low water dam and a covered pavilion was added. A new Cub Scout Archery range was added behind the Carlock Lodge. Also added were the new Archery Pavilion, Rifle Pavilion, Lake Pavilion, and Commissioner's Site Pavilion, which is the location of the Nature Activities for summer camp. Thanks to the forethought of establishing a Trust, the interest from the Carlock Trust is still being used to make camp improvements. One of the dedication plaques of the Carlock Lodge reads... "The J. Hoyle Carlock, Jr. Lodge was made possible by a gift from Dr. John Hoyle Carlock, Jr. of Ardmore, Oklahoma. Dr. Carlock died January 29, Dr. Carlock was a firm believer in the precepts of scouting. Through his gift of this Lodge, he expressed the hope of encouraging young people in this area to develop character through scouting. The Arbuckle Area Council, Boy Scouts of America appreciate the generosity of Dr. Carlock as expressed by this gift, and 6 / 9

7 for his many other gifts for improvements at Camp Simpson. --- Wilson Wallace, Trustee; John Hoyle Carlock, Jr. Family Trust". A second dedication plaque of the Carlock Lodge reads... "Dedicated to the enrichment of youth through the values of scouting - J. HOYLE CARLOCK, JR. LODGE Arbuckle Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1991 Roger Hughes, Council President -- Frank Knight, Council Commissioner Carl Cumpton, Camping Chairman -- Mike McCulloh, Development Chairman Jim Cain, Scout Executive Lumpkin & Associates Architects -- RFD Construction, Inc., Contractor ARCHERY RANGE The new Archery Range complete with covered pavilion was constructed in 1991 using funds from the Carlock Trust. CARL CUMPTON RIFLE RANGE The old Rifle Range has been moved further uphill and a new covered pavilion added by funding from the Carlock Trust in The dedication plaque for the Rifle Range reads... "Carl Cumpton Rifle Range dedicated to Carl and the crews of volunteers whose labor made this facility possible. Construction completed May, 1997" BRUSH ARBOR The Brush Arbor at Camp Simpson was built in 1992 by Order of the Arrow Wisawanik Lodge 190. Pipe to construct the Brush Arbor was obtained by Carl Cumpton. It is located next to Duffer Lodge and the COPE Course. The sign on the Brush Arbor reads..."neshoba Wenya" and is named after John Parker, Sulphur. LAKE SAM NOBLE Wonderful stories abound from Scout to Scout, generation to generation about past Water activities, aquatic merit badges and the Mile Swim which were originally held in the 'Witch Hole' and Delaware Creek. By 1993, the Arbuckle Area Council, BSA had acquired most of the property adjoining the lake. It was decided that the lake would be dedicated as 'Lake Sam Noble' after the Ardmore resident, Sam Noble, who was a champion of youth and humanity and had been instrumental in the planning and funding of the trust funds that have helped to make the Arbuckle Area Council financially strong. All aquatic activities are now held at Lake Sam Noble, which is a pristine 130-acre lake. The Lake Sam Noble plaque at the lake waterfront reads... "In the loving memory of Sam Noble, dedicated scouter, 1993". 7 / 9

8 THE SYL MULLEN RAPPELLING TOWER The climbing and rappelling tower at Camp Simpson was built in The dedication plaque on the tower reads... "The Syl Mullen Rappelling Tower completed January 11, 1992 Primary Funding provided by the J. SYLVESTER MULLEN TRUST with additional contributions from Wisawanik Lodge Order of the Arrow Troop 13, Ada; Troop 5, Ardmore; Troop 9, Ada; Troop 73, Pauls Valley" BILL & RUTH YOUNG C.O.P.E. COURSE In 1994, complete low and high C.O.P.E. courses were added to the rappelling tower site. New poles and new elements were added in the Fall of The entrance to the C.O.P.E. course displays a sign that reads... "The Bill & Ruth Young Cope Course dedicated June 16, 1994". INSPIRATION POINT Inspiration Point, which can be seen from Choate Chapel, started as a wooden cross built from utility poles. It was hit by lightning and replaced with a new one made of metal pipe constructed in 1998 by Troop 43. Every year at summer camp, Carl Cumpton tells the story of Camp Simpson at the Opening Ceremony. He also reads a poem entitled "The Cross in My Pocket" and offers any scout who wants one a copy of the poem as well as a small metal cross. Since 1985, Carl has handed out approximately 1,000 crosses per year to campers. CHOCTAW STAFF HUTS In 1998, Troop 43 built eight Staff Huts at the Choctaw Campsite. Latrines were added to the campsite in COUNCIL DOUBLES SIZE OF CAMP SIMPSON After almost two years of hard work, on October 16, 2002 the council purchased a major portion of the Coatsworth Ranch located on the north side of Coatsworth Road which added the remainder of Lake Sam Noble and another 1,022 acres of property. The acreage was purchased through funding by the Noble Foundation and The Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation. Members of the Land Acquistion Commmittee were Chairman - Dr. Kurt Jackson, Harry Spring, Fred Chapman, Carl Cumpton, George Stubbs, Jim Cumpton, Mike Hisey, Bill Crooke, Jim Dolman, Leonard Mitchell and Robert Petersen as well as many others too numerous to name. Dedication of the property was done in June, A granite monument, provided by Boadie Anderson of Ada, was erected near the entrance to Camp Simpson and shows details of the land acquistion. CAMPSITES 8 / 9

9 Camp Simpson now offers 12 campsites surrounded by trees, hills and foliage which provide a natural setting for plants and wildlife on the Camp's 2,042 acres. They names of the campsites are Apache, Huron, Blackfoot, Gila, Fox, Delaware, Erie, Seminole, Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, and Comanche. Each site has running water except during the winter season and is equipped with its own lane. All campsites have latrines and picnic tables. There are four hot water shower facilities available throughout the camp. 9 / 9