Scouting began in England in 1908, created by General Robert Baden-Powell. The Boy Scouts of America was founded by Chicago publisher William Boyce on February 8, 1910, and was incorporated in Washington, DC in 1916. As early as 1927 or 1928 Wharton County had established a Boy Scout presence in their county with Troops number 1 and 2. Emulating Wharton County, Bay City began its fledgling Scouting program in 1927.

In that year the Missouri Pacific Lines donated lumber to build a suitable Scout hut and land to build it on just North of their depot on Ave G. Money was necessary for labor before the building could be erected.

Eleven boys met on April 26, 1928 at the First Baptist Church for the purpose of organizing a new Scout Troop in Bay City. All boys age 12 and up were eligible to become Scouts, boys from nine to twelve could join as Rangers. The Scoutmaster was Mr. John Lowe of Dayton, Texas.  From newspaper articles of that era it appears there were enough boys to form two troops – Troop 1 and Troop 2*. By July of 1928 a Troop 3 was apparently also formed; this troop later became Troop 39 which received its charter in 1933 and was sponsored by the Bay City Rotary Club. By solicitation, Scoutmaster Albert Wadsworth and Frank Shaw Taylor# had been able to raise $158.00 toward the new Scout hut – the amount necessary was over $300.00.

On May 11, 1928 troop 2 was large enough to divide into two patrols; Robert Anderson was elected patrol leader of the Panther patrol and Garfield Callaway, patrol leader of the Woodpecker patrol.

It was reported in the Daily Tribune on July 10, 1928 that the Bay City Rotary Club (chartered 1924) had come to the rescue of the new Scout troop after the construction of the Boy Scout hut had been delayed for over a year by promising to pay the necessary remaining funds.

The Daily Tribune reported on July 17, 1928 that the [Rotary Club] committee on raising funds for the new Boy Scout hut had successfully raised an additional $167.50, with Texas Gulf Sulphur donating the largest amount at $50.00.

On December 27, 1928 the Daily Tribune reported that the log hut constructed for the Bay City Boy Scouts on Avenue G at property owned by the Gulf Coast Lines and adjacent to the depot was ready for occupancy. The Scouts, through the aid of Scoutmaster A.H. Wadsworth, business men of the city and the boys’ committee of the Rotary Club had been able to raise enough funds to construct the comfortable meeting house at the end of the boulevard.

In the photograph the Scout hut is to the left of the depot behind the striped RR crossing sign (3 short poles are just below the hut). The picture is purported to have been taken c1940.

*Originally, as best as can be determined through 1928 Daily Tribune news articles, the Scouts were formed as Troops number 1 and 2; by 1932 the Troops had been renumbered 36 and 39. In the Daily Tribune dated July 5, 1932 there was an article reporting that the ten day Scout Camp held in Wharton County had been a big success. In the article it stated ten Bay City boys had attended the camp, and among those named was Philip Parker (age 12). It was reported of the Bay City Scouts who passed the tests for American Red Cross junior life saving Philip had come in at fourth place with a grade of 77 ½. Philip’s brother Gene was listed as the troop mascot. In addition to Philip and Gene, Hudson W. Castleton was also listed in the list of boys from Troop 39 in Bay City. Hudson became the first Eagle Scout from Matagorda County in 1933.

#Frank Shaw Taylor was a life time member of the Bay City Rotary Club.

Albert H. Wadsworth, early Scoutmaster in car photo
 

Troop 2 Scout Meeting

On last Thursday night, May 3rd, at the Baptist church, the Boy Scouts were taught how to tie Scout knots. Our Scoutmaster also repeated the Scout laws with us. We played games. Our next meeting will be next Friday night, beginning at 7:30. We urge more boys to come.--Scribe

Daily Tribune, May 10, 1928
 

Troop 2 Scout Meeting

Our troop divided into two patrols last Friday night. Robert Anderson was elected patrol leader of the Panther patrol and Garfield Callaway, patrol leader of the Woodpecker patrol.

Our Scoutmaster handed out membership blanks and also hand books. Our next meeting will be next Thursday night, beginning at 7:30.--Scribe

Daily Tribune, May 15, 1928
 

Boy Scout Hut To Be Built
Rotary Club Comes To Rescue and Donates Liberally

Over a year ago the Missouri Pacific Lines donated to the Boy Scouts of Bay City lumber with which to build and land on which to build a hut suitable for meeting purposes. Money was necessary for labor before the building could be erected. By solicitation Scoutmaster Albert Wadsworth and F. S. Taylor were able to raise $158.00. The amount necessary is over $300.00. Mr. Wadsworth was about disheartened, the boys were disappointed and growing skeptical about even having a hut after more than a year of waiting. The remaining necessary funds, however, were promised today by the Rotary Club and work on the hut will go on immediately.

From time to time articles of importance will be published in the Tribune in reference to boys' work and Scout work in Bay City. These articles are of interest to you older people as well as to the boys of the community.

Daily Tribune, July 10, 1928
 

From left to right:
1930 Swimming Merit Badge pamphlet  with the merit badge below
1930 Handbook for Boys, Boy Scout Handbook with 1930 era Boy Scout neckerchief below
1930 Life Saving Merit Badge  pamphlet with the merit badge below
Courtesy of VFW Post 2438 Captain Philip H. Parker, USAAF Memorial Collection
 

Boy Scout Troop Meets

The Boy Scouts of Troop No. 3 met at the regular meeting place last Friday night and marched up to the court house where the new troop committee was assembled. Those present were: Mr. Albert Wadsworth, Scoutmaster; Mr. Simpson, Mopac Scout executive; Mr. John Robertson assistant S. M.; Mr. Silberson, assistant S. M.; Mr. Doughtie, troop committeeman; Dr. Livengood, troop committeeman; Mr. T. A. Walker, troop committeeman; Mr. Eddie Ryan, troop committeeman, and Mr. Carey Smith, Jr., troop committeeman.

Mr. Simpson explained to the new executives what they were to do, and promised to send each of them more information as soon as he got back to headquarters. Then each one of the men said a few words, expressing their ideas on scouting, after which the Scouts' business meeting opened with the Scout oath, as follows:

"On my honor, I will do my best; to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout laws; to help other people at all times; to keep my self physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight."

Mr. Simpson talked to the Scouts on Scouting, and gave them several new pep songs.

A few minor business matters were brought up and disposed of after which they adjourned with the twelve Scout laws: "A Scout is trust-worthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent."

All Scouts are urged to attend the meeting tonight, as plans for the Scout house will be given and work will be started immediately.--Scribe

Daily Tribune, July 13, 1928
 

Boy Scouts Fund For Hut Growing

The committee on raising funds for the Hut which is to be built and equipped for the Boy Scouts has had remarkable success and reports the following additional contributions:

Boy Scout Hut Near Completion

The log hut constructed for the Bay City Boy Scouts on Avenue G at property owned by the Gulf Coast Lines and adjacent to the depot is ready for occupancy. The Scouts, through the aid of Scoutmaster A. H. Wadsworth, business men of the city and the boys' committee of the Rotary Club, have been able to raise enough funds to construct the comfortable meeting house at the end of the boulevard.

The Scouts look at their log hut as something to be proud of. They have worked and waited for it more than two years. and to see it actually constructed brings pride to them. It will serve as a meeting house, a place for the two troops to assemble and be more closely related to the Scout work. It will be an incentive to the spirit of Scout work which needed just that. They can look to it as theirs now and know it was their efforts that finally realized their hopes.

Daily Tribune, December 27, 1928
 

Scout Camp Big Success

Ten Bay City boys attended the boy scout camp held in Wharton County for ten days , ending last week. About an hundred boys were in attendance. Mr. H. J. Barton, district scout commissioner and scout master in Bay City was very instrumental in arranging and making possible the scout camp.

Below are names of those attending from Bay City and their grades in the various tests.

Bay City scouts who passed the tests for American Red Cross junior life saving are:

Hudson Castleton, second highest grade in camp, 87 1/2 and the highest grade of the new scouts taking this work for the first time.

Charles Cobb, grade 81; George Schoultz, 78; Philip Parker 77 1/2.

Eddie Benedict passed the advanced work of the senior American Red Cross life saving work with a grade of 80 1/2; Eddie being one of the only two scouts in camp to pass the above work.

Bay City scouts attending camp: Hudson Castleton, George Schoultz, Eddie Benedict, Gene Parker, troop mascot; Charles Cobb, Vernon Harrison, John S. Neary, Philip Parker, Billie Lee McPeak, Bob Wilkinson.

Leaders at Camp

Hudson Castleton, Bay City, junior assistant scoutmaster; George Shoultz, Bay City, junior assistant scoutmaster; Eddie Benedict, Bay City, junior assistant scoutmaster.

H. J. Barton, Bay City, Texas, district scout commander, camp director.

Eighty regular scouts in camp as follows:...Troop No. 39, Bay City, Texas, 10 scouts

Matagorda County Tribune, July 5, 1932

Patch courtesy of VFW Post 2438 Captain Philip H. Parker, USAAF Memorial Collection
 

Boy Scout Notice

Scoutmaster Cernosek requests that Boy Scouts of Troop 36 and 39 meet at the cabin Thursday night at 7:30 o'clock. All be present

Daily Tribune, August 2, 1932
 

Interesting Program Rotary Meeting Tuesday

At the regular luncheon and meeting of the Rotary Club held at the BayTex Hotel, Tuesday at 12:15 noon, a very interesting program was arranged by Rotarian Albert H. Wadsworth.

After the delicious luncheon was served, President Rotarian E. O. Hutcheson, called for the introduction of guests, who were Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Turner, their niece, Miss Anna Dell English, Mrs. McCune and Mr. Fred Lacke, all of Houston, guests of Rotarian S. R. Sholars and F. O. Montague, farm agent of Matagorda County, guest of Rotarian Wadsworth.

Then under the direction of Scoutmaster S. F. Cernosek, the following Bay City Boy Scouts splendidly enacted a cleverly arranged skit, showing the eight different stages of a scout's life, beginning with tenderfoot up to the eagle scout, the highest stage; Hudson Castleton, the only eagle scout in Bay City, Cletus and John Louis Newman, Billy Ham, R. C. Bergland, Billy Lee McPeak and Dick Harrison. This proved most impressive and highly entertaining to all. Much credit is due Rotarian Wadsworth, who is president of the honor council of the local scout lodge and Scoutmaster S. F. Cernosek who have been fervent and untiring workers for the Boy Scouts, striving in every way  to encourage every boy to join and then live up to the creed for which the scouts stand...

Matagorda County Tribune, May 25, 1933