LaSalle Council BSA
History of Topenebee
Scout Camp, Training Facility and Resource Center
Originally presented by Michael R. Taylor from Troop 321 of La Porte, Indiana
As an Eagle Project on September 17, 1973
Revised September 1, 1988 and October 31, 2004
INTRODUCTION
In 1948, a group of men, dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America, set out to find a camp for the young men of the Pottawattomie Council #731.
The area they decided to develop is located in northern La Porte County ,just south of Michigan City, but close to the cities of La Porte, Valparaiso, and Knox, cities other Council.
When the scouts first gathered at this camp it no doubt was a far cry from what scouts of the new LaSalle Council now use.
The challenge these men faced and the problems that had to be overcome is truly a salute to the scouting spirit.
The writer feels that it is important for all Scouts of the LaSalle Council to know something of the history of "Old Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee."1t is for this reason that the writer is pleased to use this history, incomplete as it is, for his Eagle project. The writer feels this is a project, which can go on for several years, in order that this history be made complete and available in one place.
Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee came into being back in the late 1940's; 1948 to be exact. The executive board was commissioned to find a suitable area for camping somewhere in the Pottawattomie Council. Several parcels of land were considered, but each time the commission found some problems and as a result no land was bought.
Finally, Dr. John E. Magnuson of La Porte, and Earl Alexander, then the La Porte County Surveyor, went to look at some land that Mr. Alexander was familiar with, and felt that this land might fit the needs for the scouts. Dr. Magnuson, Mr. Alexander, and AI Whitcomb, the scout executive, went to look over this land. These men felt that this land fit the bill, and the land appeared to have excellent terrain for a scout camp.
Mr. Alexander then proceeded to see who the owner of this land was. He was able to ascertain that the land belonged to Mr. Louis Peglow. Upon a visit to Mr. Peglow, it was discovered that he was quite ill and was not expected to live very long. In talking with Mr. Peglow and explaining to him what they wanted to use this land for, he was very willing to sell the land for a price of $5,500.
The price of the land caused a small problem; this being that the scouts did not have $5,500 to spend for this land. As a result Dr. Magnuson and a few others raised the money that was needed to pay for this land purchase. This money was raised in the following manner: La Porte Kiwanis, with help from Lions and Rotary, agreed to raise enough money to pay back the loan and build one cabin (Apache) - also to drill a well that promised to be a free-flowing artesian well The Service Clubs of La Porte sponsored three Horace Heidt shows at the Civic Auditorium - 1949-1950-1951 - and a circus, on March13, 1951. Money from these shows paid all loans with some money to start development of the camp. (See copy of letter from Dr. Magnuson in the Appendix).
On May 29, 1948, the scouts owed money in the amount of $5,500 that had to be paid back to Dr. Magnuson and others who had furnished the money for the purchase of the land. After the land was purchased and the money was repaid to the people to whom it was owed, the scouts proceeded to build Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee. Brown Brothers of Michigan City donated the necessary earth moving equipment to build the dam, to create the lake and for the building of the necessary roads. All of the evergreens on the south side of the main road were gotten and planted by Dr. Magnuson and his helpers. Northern Indiana Public Service Company (N IPSCO) donated the pipe and shut-off valve for the artesian well. The Rotary Club donated the Kitchen equipment in the Dinning Hall.
HEALTH LODGE
.
A new health lodge was built in memory of Stanley E. Giese, a scouter for many years, and former Cub master of Pack 2, Long Beach. Dedication ceremonies were held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 1964. Mrs. Giese participated in the dedication.
Mr. A. D. Thompson, who supervised the building of the lodge, stated that the value of this building at that time was approximately $10,000.
Walters Hospital of Michigan City donated the beds and stands. There is also an examination room and a storage room in the lodge.
The original Health Lodge was the Scouter’s east cabin (also know as the Scouter’s Lodge in the past). It was built in 1953, and dedicated to Norris W. Leigh. A plaque “Original Camp Health Lodge”.
CAMP CHAPEL DEDICATION
Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, and adult leaders of the Pottawattomie Council and their families were invited to dedication services for the new chapel at To-Pe-Ne-Bee Scout Camp on Sunday, October 8, 1967, at 4:30 p.m.
Paul Boston, retired superintendent of schools in La Porte and a veteran scouter, spoke at the service, which included representatives of the three major religious faiths.
Rev. Darrell Parker was chairman of the Dedication Committee. Also participating in the service were Rev. Father Leonard J. Cross, Rabbi Karl Richter, and Rev. Robert Rogers. The chapel was formally presented by architect Ken Fryar and contractor Bill Woodruff to Council President Dick Rosenberg. Scouts who had received religious awards in Scouting also took part in this service. A reception for guests was held immediately following the dedication service.
(Material found in October 1967, issue of Pathfinder.
TO-PE-NE-BEE ADDS 85 ACRES
According to the Pathfinder, April 1968, the following information about Camp To-Pe-Ne-8ee was learned:
An expansion of To-Pe-Ne-Bee to a total of 215 acres was announced jointly by Council President Richard D. Rosenberg, Long-Range Camping Chairman, Dr. John E. Magnuson, and Camping Chairman, Andrew Carson.
The purchase of an 85 acre farm owned by the late Eleanor J. Dembowski for $42,500 expanded the present Scout Camp to the north of Lake Topenebee.
Dr. Magnuson and Mr. Carson indicated that Frank W. Rogers, Assistant National Director of Camping and a national expert in camp planning, would tour the new property on April 5, 1968, so that the acreage may be utilized as soon as possible.
The purchase brought to 390 acres the total camping property owned by the Council.
SIOUX CAMPSITE
There are several campsites in the camp area. As you enter the camp from Holmesville Road, the first campsite you come to is Sioux campsite, which is on the right. This campsite was presented to the Boy Scouts of America on September 2, 1962 by the Marshall Kottler Lodge No. B51 of Michigan City, Indiana. This campsite has six four-man cabins which are arranged in a semicircle, with three cabins to the left and three cabins to the right.
Of the six Adirondack cabins, four of them were built in memory of certain people. One cabin was given in memory of Mrs. Rose Winski by her sons; one is to the brothers of Marshall Kottler Lodge 851 who gave their lives in World war II , by Mr. and Mrs. Jack M. Ruby; one in memory of Donald and Marshall Kottler by Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Kottler; and one in memory of dr. Harry Brooks by Mrs. Harry Brooks.
CABINS
There once were five cabins in Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee that were equipped with double bunks and mattresses, and were intended for shelter and sleeping during severe weather conditions. The first cabin was constructed by the La Porte Kiwanis Club and was named Apache. It was a two-room cabin that could hold 32 campers and can sleep 24 campers. Mohawk cabin can also sleep 24 campers. Ottawa cabin could sleep 20 campers and Shawnee can sleep 26 campers. Campers in the Apache, Cherokee (which had a porch and could sleep 24 campers ) and Shawnee cabins all had the use of wood stoves, but campers In the Mohawk and Ottawa had the use of fireplaces.
The original Mohawk cabin was destroyed in a fire in 1955, and it was later rebuilt in 1963, while some remodeling was also taking place at Apache cabin. The camp staff used Mohawk cabin for cooking during the early years of the camp. The Ottawa cabin was built from wooden refrigerator rail road box cars, and it was a cozy, warm, cabin to stay in during cold weather. It had a fireplace at its north wall.
Ottawa cabin was built by a church.
St. Mary’s cabin was an early cabin that also fell victim to a fire. It was located near the turn-around by the Picnic Shelter. Rather than being rebuilt, it was replaced by another cabin later.
Landscaping and rocks were added around Ottawa cabin due to its flooding in rainy weather.
Ottawa, Apache and Cherokee cabins were torn down in 1984 because they no longer met safe building codes. The Rangers house and the kitchen that was attached to the former dining hall were torn down in 1984 for the same reason.
A Caretaker’s Trailer located at the camp entrance now houses the camp’s groundskeeper.
An Adirondack cabin has space for two double bunks with mattresses, a table, and lights. There are six such cabins in the Sioux campsite.
Each one of the above-mentioned cabins also names a campsite in Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee, along with twelve other campsites. These other campsites include Winnebago, Chippewa, Inspiration Point, Delaware, Seneca, Miami, Kickapoo Hill, Pottawattomie, Navajo, Iroquois Valley, and Cheyenne. Each campsite is furnished with a latrine and a well. The Cheyenne campsite was later moved to the north of the Picnic Shelter. Two new Latrines were built in 1986; one in the new Parking Lot, and the other by the Scouter’s East/West duplex cabin.
Pottawattomie, Seneca, and Miami are the latest campsites to be developed. St. John’s campsite was briefly developed north of Lake Topenebee in the new 1968 development project.
FACILITIES
Besides the cabins there are other development facilities in the camp. Other than the Warehouse, the Dining Hall was the J. biggest building in camp prior to the fire in 2002, which destroyed it. A new Training and Resource Center is in the planning stage that will replace it. The Dining Hall construction estimates were $65.00 for gravel, $375.00 for the cement, $116.00 for the brick, $350.00 for blocks, $159.00 for structural steel, $75.00 for reinforcing steel, $780.00 for millwork, and $107.00 for the 'roofing. So the total cost of the dining hall came to $5,289.00, which included the cost of some of the kitchen equipment. The Dining Hall was built in 1951 in time for the first year of summer camp.
The Old Shower house has been torn down, though its former location is correctly marked on the 1962 map. A block building now stands that functioned as a Smoke House during the summer camp years. An old drinking fountain can be found between the Smoke House and the old Shower House.
The present Scouters East/West Lodge originally functioned as a training room with kitchen and bathroom facilities, and was available for special meetings, conferences, training, parties, activities, and meals. This building was also the camp’s original Health Lodge that was built in 1953. It now function as a duplex cabin.
A picnic shelter stands in the back of the former Dining Hall location, which provides for many a good time in all seasons of the year. It was built in 1960, and donated by the Optimist Club. A picnic area also existed at the entrance to the camp by the now famous Topenebee hut that was featured on many scout patches.
A rifle range is provided at the north end of camp for scouts to use that was donated by Joy Manufacturing Co. It was moved to this location in 1969 along with the Archery Range. The original Rifle Range which was located southeast of Shawnee cabin had a wood floor with a roof over it. A metal back stop with a wood from served as the target area. Mattresses were used for the shooters. Vertical rail road tie mark its south border on the hill.
A Waterfront facilities once allowed swimming, canoeing, and boating during the camp’s summer camp years. It featured a floating raft, and a “T’ Shaped pier that separated the non swimming, beginner swimming, and swimmer areas. The original boat docks were on the east end of Lake Topenebee. A new fishing pier was built in 1992 on the west end of Lake Topenebee. Swimming and boating are presently not permitted at Topenebee.
Another addition was the chapel, which was built in 1967, and is near its original location. Religious activities take place at this lovely, reverent spot.
A council ring is provided, where various camp activities take place throughout the year.
In addition to these facilities, there are winter sports areas and Webelos camping areas, parking areas, etc. The original Parking Lot was moved from the Parade Field to its present location north of the Pines campsites. The new Parking Lot originally functioned as a retreat area. The camp provides opportunities for all to take advantage of.
During its summer camp years of 1951 - 1973, some newer facilities were made and offered at the camp that included: a hunter Safety Trail (in addition to the rifle range); action archery range (in addition to the archery target range); an expanded conservation and ecology program; an expanded fishing program; availability of limited provisional camping; renewing of the off-camp canoeing program; and outpost camping.
In 1973 Pottawattomie Council merged with the Tri-Valley Council to form the Northern Indiana Council #165, with Camp Tamarack (The Wood Lake Scout Reservation) becoming the newly formed council’s summer camp. Camp Topenebee is now utilized as a training and resource center. It continues to provide short-term camping opportunities along with being a host location for many scouting activities of LaSalle Council.
The West Branch Office of the former Northern Indiana Council, BSA was located in the Scouter West cabin at camp, along with a trading post. It was closed as a trading post on December 29, 1981 and now functions as a cabin.
During its period as a summer camp, To-Pe-Ne-Bee had its own electrical power generator to supply emergency to the camp. Along the trail from the Artesian Well to the east of the Scouters east/west cabin are three small oblong and octagon shaped cement ponds which were fenced in to contain frogs, turtles and snakes for display that were caught during summer camp (which were released back into the wild at the end of the week). This comprised the Nature area, which had a small hut as its headquarters. Four steel posts in the ground mark the frame of the hut. It was located northwest of the new Cheyenne campsite.
A portable Trading Post that provided various crafts and treats for the scouts at camp was in different locations during the camp’s history; North of the turn-around area by the Picnic Shelter as shown on the 1962 To-Pe-Ne-Bee map, and also east of the present Scouters east/west cabin. Wooden poles imbedded in the ground that functioned as the Trading Post’s foundation can still be seen there.
The camp staff was originally housed in tents with wooden floor east of the Scouters east/west cabin (as shown on the 1962 map) near the present Delaware campsite. This was prior to the Adirondack cabins being built for the camp staff. A lookout Tower was built on the shore of Lake Topenebee during the camp’s early years, and it was replaced in 1968.
In 1990 the Northern Indiana Council merged with the Southwestern Michigan Council to form the LaSalle Council which serves the youth in the following counties; Porter, Marshall, St. Joseph, La Porte, Stark , Elkhart (Indiana), Berrien and Cass (Michigan).
SUMMARY OF SUMMER CAMP – Past Trivia
Although the writer could not find a detailed summary of all summer camps (1951.1973) held at Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee, he was able to find the following information from former issues of the Pathfinder about several summer camps. Each year the staff changes in size and as to the number of people who are on it and the writer was unable to find this information.
In 1963, there were more individual scouts and more troops with their own leadership in Summer Camp than ever before, in addition to the increase in winter camping throughout the year. That year the camp received an "A" rating on camp inspection. Camp facilities showed improvement along with the completion of Apache and Mohawk cabins for winter camping and the construction of Giese Memorial Health Lodge. New items that year included a dishwasher, camp truck and tractor, plus canoes and new tents.
The year of 1964 brought a 27% increase in camp attendance over 1963~ Camp director that year was Sherrn Scott, with Bill Rinke as program director. The camp fee for the Junior leader Instructor Course was $15.00.1964 also brought along the new aquatics camp session.
Summer camping season 1965 opened with a bang on July 4th. That year was expected to have the largest attendance in the history' of Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee. The year's camp director was Richard Shepherd. Major improvements included the installation of a new stove, sink, and freezer for the dining hall kitchen. Two new campsites were opened in 1965. They are Ottawa and Winnebago.
Another-class "A" rating came in 1966. The year's camp attendance was doubled over the previous year. The Camp operated for six different periods for the first time in many years. The camp director was Ira Haberle, with Andrew Carson as camping chairman.
On May 4, 1967, Mr. Charles Bilderback became the new camp ranger just in time for summer camp!
The 1967 camp season brought Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee another "A" rating. A new camp chapel was that year's major construction project at summer camp. Ira Haberle was camp director and Tim Rose was the assistant in charge of program.
1968 brought Richard L. Thyme as camp director, with Robert Romeril as camp promotion chairman. A new lookout tower and diving platform at the waterfront were constructed, and the camp road was repaired.
In 1969, EI Aspinall was camp director. Joy Manufacturing Co. started the new and present rifle range. The Kiwanis Club of Valparaiso' helped to pay for materials. Brown Construction Company of Michigan City constructed a road to the new property and leveled the area for the rifle range.
Jim Hamblin was camp director in 1970, along with Jerome Valenza of Marseilles, France, as Scoutcraft Director, and Roy Lovatt of Liverpo0l, England, as the chaplain. A new record of 800 campers was made.
Arnold Bass was camp director in 1971, with Robert Romeril serving as camping chairman. 608 boys attended. This represented 564 Scouts and 43 different troops in camp. Also, 36 boys who were not Boy Scouts attended.
In the years 1972 and 1973, camp directors were Bill DeWald and Dr. Bob Finhout,
respectively. Camp improvements made in 1972 were: lake dam, tree thinning and latrine.
PLAQUES ON CAMP BUILDINGS
Shawnee cabin: Troup #22 B.S.A. Sponsored by St. Joseph Young Men’s Society
Sioux campsite: Sious campsite presented to the B.S.A. by Marshall Kottler Lodge #851 B’nai B’rith Mich. City, Ind. Sept. 2, 1962
Adirondack cabins:
1 & 2 : no plaques
3: In memory of Mrs. Rose Winski by her sons
4: To the brothers of Marshall Kottler Lodge #851 who gave their lives in World War II by Mr. & Mrs. Jack Ruby
5: In memory of Don and Marshall Kottler by Mr. & Mrs. Louis E. Kottler.
6: In memory of Dr. Harry Brooks by Mrs. Harry Brooks
Picnic Shelter: Donated by Optimist Club Mich. City, Ind. 1960
Scouters east cabin (former Scouter’s Lodge, and original Health Lodge): Dedicated in 1953 to Norris W. Leigh Original Camp Health Lodge
New Health Lodge: Stanely E. Giese Memorial Health Lodge erected 1964
ATTENDANCE
YEAR
1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973
REPRESENTED UNITS
27 30 36 38 39 45 40 36 28 33 29 46 44 46 56 59 43 54 50 57
75 (not audited)
BOYWEEKS*
299 336 447 490 431 441 455 487 462 362 364 412 605 604 549 711 782
1791 1615
579 635 940
*Boy Weeks refers to the number attending the camp. A boy may have attended more than one session of camp, but was counted each time he attended.
The largest boy week attendance was in 1969, and the largest number of represented units was in 1973.
ASSETS
At the time of the beginning of Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee the land cost was $5,500. The following is a report as of December 31,1972.
NORTHERN INDIANA COUNCIL- BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
South Bend, Indiana
BALANCE SHEET - PROPERTIES FUND December 31, 1972
Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee
Land
Buildings and Equipment Total
Deduct: Accumulated Write DownsinceAprll1,1972
Total
ASSETS
$133,800.00 $107,393.03 $241, 193.03
$3,295.89 $237,897.14
SUMMARY
Camping is the highlight experience in the life of all Boy Scouts. Thanks to Dr. John E. Magnuson, who initiated the purchase of Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee for the sum of $5,500 (present assets total more than $237,000.DD), the boys in the LaSalle Council may enjoy camping at a great camp.
A camp needs a qualified staff to render assistance to all unit leaders in order that the boys may receive the best and most worthwhile camping experience possible. Through the years Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee has done a great job.
To-Pe-Ne-Bee comprises acres of hills and forests, including a lake and a stream. This area has a variety of trees and plant life and abounds with small game. During its summer camp years of 1951 – 1973 the camp could accommodate 160 Scouts in 10 troops each week during the summer. The camp was built, and is maintained and staffed by the Council for the purpose of serving its sponsoring partners by providing those facilities and activities which they cannot provide individually.
The primary function is to serve as a training center where packs, troops, and posts can receive help and training in methods that will make them stronger and more effective in serving boys. This remains true today.
This history project can be updated periodically to include all the history of camping at To-Pe-Ne-Bee, so that it will be easily and readily available to all leaders and boys.
EXPRESSION OF THANKS
The writer of this project (Michael R. Taylor) wishes to give credit and thanks to the following fellow scouts and scout friends who helped make this research project possible!
Richard Creed Mitchell Feikes
Thomas Nordyke Steven Zborowski Todd Blake
Randall Mallick
Dr. John E. Magnuson
Mrs. Harold (Marcia) Siegel Mr. Anthony Caton
Michael Shipton (SM)
James Keene (former SM) Kenneth Clayton (SA)
Broc (ie Miglorie Elbert Aspinall )
Northern Indiana Council BSA - South Bend Office
West Branch Office of Northern Indiana Council, BSA Dan Bollinger (for his encouragement and support) All of his merit badge counselors Eagle Board of Review Members
His parents - Tommy E. and Carol Taylor
And all of those who helped to make Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee a reality
1988 & 2004 Revision Credits:
Pat Malott
Dan Carpenter
Mark Smith
Owen Hurley
Dean Golding
Pat Meer
Vern Malott
Ralph & Ruth Prohl
Jay Zehner
LaSalle Council #165 BSA
APPENDIX
Copy of letter handwritten by J. E. Magnuson on May 29, 1948 regarding purchase of To-Pe-Ne-Bee Land. Letterhead from J. E. Magnuson D.D.S., 1112 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana.
land purchased May 29, 1948
102+ acres for $5,500.
AI Wickham, Scout Executive Earl Alexander J. E. Magnuson found the land owned by Louis Peglow of Michigan City.
LaPorte Kiwanis, with help from Lions and Rotary, agreed to raise enough money to pay back the loan and build one cabin – also drilled well that proved to be a free –flowing well. The Service Clubs of LaPorte had three Horace Heidt shows at the Civic Auditorium – 1949 – 1950 – 1951, and a circus – March 14, 1951.
Money from these shows paid all loans, with some money to start development of the camp,
Signed
J. E. Magnuson