Scouting in Illinois - prior to the creation of a "council"

[LauraT7]

It is common knowledge that our current troop 159 was formerly Troop 1 in Woodstock Illinois - and was a practicing scout troop,sponsored by the same First United Methodist church as it is today, possibly prior to the scouting movement in 1910 - possibly as early as 1908. A 1940's interview with the first scoutmaster, George B Robinson (for the troop's 25th anniversary) says that he "applied for a charter in 1910" Unfortunately in 1915, our church was burned to the ground, and all records were lost. (except for an undated, un marked photo of the boys in uniform in front of the old church) The first official records we have are re-chartering documents, dated Feb 7, 1916, with G. B. Robinson as SM. G.B. Robinson later managed to help organize a council in our area in 1924, and later became a scout executive in another Illinois council - La Salle.

 

Our troop history is:

Troop 1 - no council - 1910 to 1916

Troop 1 - McHenry County council 1916 - 1930

Troop 52 - Beloit council 1930 - 1933

Troop 159 - Blackhawk council - 1934 - present

 

Through all those years, even prior to the Baden-Powell scouting movement coming to America in 1910, we have been sponsored by the same First United Methodist Church of Woodstock, IL.

 

My question is - Where would I look or write for information that might prove our existence BEFORE 1916? Who would have those records if we didn't have a council back then?

 

any ideas on which direction I should take or where I should look?

[SR540Beaver]

Do you have a local historical society? You could try them or go to the local library. Many libraries have microfilm of old newspapers. It would take time scanning newspapers, but since Scouts do community work, there might be some articles about the troops activites. Heck, check out the local newspaper office and see what they have to offer.

[eisely]

As kwc57, try your local historical society. If you do not have a local society, try your state society in Springfield. My wife and I spent several days going through micro filmed Illinois newspapers in the Springfiled archive when I was working on my doctoral dissertation.

[Twocubdad]

It won't help for the period prior to 1910, but have you tried writing National? In the early years of Scouting, before the local councils were formed, all units were chartered directly through National. So it's possible that they had the records, at one point, at least.

 

I have no clue who or where to ask. Maybe the new Scout museum?