The Troop 64 History
Part I

I am proud to have been a member of this fine insitution. While being a part of this fellowship, I recorded a copious collection of notes from my short tenure in the troop (1973-1977). They recollected events that my friends and I encountered. A mini history of my years in the troop. We never got around to question how it all began or contemplated that it would one day come to pass. As past president of the Trumbull Historical Society, I searched for any history on the troop. There was none to be found. As I reflect on the last century, I felt that I should attempt to compile whatever history I can on the late Troop 64.

By 1929 Trumbull Center was a growing suburb of the City of Bridgeport. The town boasted a population of under 4,000 with Leslie N. Whitney as 1st Selectman. Buses, cars and trains all made their way for an easy passage to this village. Three roads converged (Daniel's Farm, White Plains and Church Hill) at an expanded general store. E. Kurtz & Sons sold groceries, automobile accessories and farming implements. The Post Office was located within this store. To the west, upon a lofty embankment stood the Town Hall since 1883. This two story wooden structure towered over the village and train station. Southward another embankment surmounted the grey stone Congregational Church built in 1899. This church was where the saga of Troop 64 was to originate. Alongside the embankment a red brick 3,000 volume library overlooked White Plains Road. Across the street, A red brick two story school house next to a firehouse.

The Trumbull Congregational Church was the initial sponsor of a Boy Scout troop. To activate a troop, boys in a neighborhood between ages twelve to eighteen would converge under the leadership of an adult would become the Scoutmaster. The first Scoutmaster was Harry E. Carpenter. He had a son who was also a charter member in the troop. The next step is to apply to the local counicl for a charter. In 1929 the local area Scouting was coordinated by Bridgeport Boy Scout Council, Inc. (Chartered May 1912). The Bridgeport Council #65 then makes an application to the National Council located in New York City to establish a Scout troop. A Scout troop must have a sponsor and meeting location before a charter is granted.

The Trumbull Congregational Church of Trumbull agreed to sponsor the troop and provide a meeting location. In May of 1929, a charter was granted to establish Boy Scout Troop 64, Trumbull, Connecticut, USA. This charter will be renewed for the next fifty seven years. Laurence K. Peabody, vice president of Alfred D. Guion & Co. was appointed first Troop Committe Chairman. The Troop Committe consisted of Pastor William James Lineback, Deacon Alfred E. Gilbert and E. Clayton Buckingham, treasurer of Mitchell Dairy.

The troops first press release followed the subsequent week. A June 2nd, 1929 Bridgeport Post newspaper clipping gave a tally of the nine charter members. The only member from the roster still living was William H. Aiken.

I placed a phone call to Jupiter, Florida to converse with the soul delegate of Troop 64's conception. William H. Aiken professed that his memory was feable as he projected back over seventy years. "I lived near the center, I was the right age, it was just the right thing to do at that time" explained William as he answered why he joined the troop. William did not recollect activities done at the time. He did remember Harry E. Carpenter as the first Scoutmaster followed by Gorden Sperling who remained Scoutmaster throughout his tenure.

The Trumbull Volunteer Fire Company became the second troop sponsor in 1935. The fire department supplied the leadership and location for troop meetings. Equipment and records were stored throughout the community room of the firehouse. In 1936 Bridgeport Council #65, became Pomperaug Council #65 under the leadership of Arthur M. Comley. The manual used at the time was the 3rd Edition Boy Scout Handbook.

Thomas Shadick, a member of the Trumbull Center Volunteer Fire Department and Trumbull Congregational Church became the 3rd Scoutmaster in 1934. Tom Shadick had two sons Norman and Robert who joined the troop when they were old enough. He served as Scoutmaster of the troop for close to a decade.

James McClinch joined the troop in 1937 following in the footsteps of his two older brothers. Clayton, Arthur who joined the troop in 1932, 1936 respectively. James reported that the troop was well established at the time of his joining. He recollects Thomas Shadick as the third Scoutmaster who's sons Robert and Norman were active members. Robert was destined to become the first Eagle Scout of the troop.

James reminisces of the troop camping in Vermont, Otis, Massachusetts and Spectral Pond. In the late 1930's Troop 64 attended a Provincial Camporee/Jamboree near Montreal, Canada. James experienced the start of a majestic Troop 64 tradition "Camp Pomperaug". In 1938 the troop went to Camp Pomperaug which would continue for the next 36 summers. The orignial location of the camp was on the northeast coast of Lake Zoar, with a cost of $7.50 for one week of summer camp.

In addition to being a very active Scoutmaster, Tom Shadick was apportioning increasingly more of his efforts with Pomperaug Council. When promoted as Pomperaug Council District Commisssioner, he vanquished his position as Scoutmaster. Tom encouraged Eben R. Joy to become the 4th Scoutmaster of Troop 64.

Eben contined troop traditons of year round camping. They camped at Lake Waramaug, Otis and Vermont. One Scout recalls Eben driving his truck on Lake Zoar one Pomperaug winter camping trip. Local campsites and cookouts took place along the old reservoir a mile north of the firehouse. Eben ran the gas station next to Kurtz Store. He often hired troop members to pump gas.

The most noteworthy event commissioned under the Eben Joy administration was a month long voyage across America. Eben took six Scouts and a house trailer on a westward excursion to Yellowstone National Park, Billings Montana, Grand Canyon National Park, Luray Caverns, Virgina and Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico. On the journey, they would take turns, four would sleep in the trailer while two slept in a ground based tent. This was for the senior Scouts of the troop. It is belived that the regiment consisted of John Bains, John Christie, Bob Christie, Jack Fillman and Charile Hall. At present no journal can be found documenting this epic journey.

The Armed Forces continually siphoned leaders from the troop for the war effort. Eben Joy was stationed in Italy with the army. He later married Catherine Vaughn, a volunteer with the Grenfell Mission. Moved to Vermont to manage the famous Dog Team Tavern. Pomperaug District Commissionoer Thomas Shadick encouraged fireman Herman P. Strobel to become a Scoutmaster.