Boxwell Greats: Steve Eubank

There are only a handful of people who have worked at Boxwell enough to span virtually the entire history of Boxwell at Old Hickory Lake.  Steve Eubank is such a person!

Steve began as staff member in 1970, just missing the first decade of the reservation.  He served as a Commissioner at Camp Parnell. Of course, it is important to note that “Commissioner” in the early 1970s meant something a bit different then, but that’s another story!  Steve stayed on at Parnell to eventually become Program Director in 1973, a position he maintained until 1976. Craig opened in this period for one week and Steve was Program Director there too–a unique distinction!

The next twenty-five years saw Steve connected to Boxwell in a rather unique position.  He was part of the group of former staff members who helped plan the first Staff Reunion in 1983, and then the second in 1989, and the third in 1999. Additionally, Steve was very involved in Woodbadge, serving at Woodbadge Scoutmaster more than once during this quarter century.  So, while not officially on camp staff, Steve still made valuable historical contributions!

In 2004, Steve returned to Camp Stahlman as a modern day Camp Commissioner.  In 2009, a fascinating change took place–District Executives no longer came to camp to serve as Camp Directors.  At each camp, staff took up that position, and Steve became Stahlman’s Camp Director.  Thus, Steve Eubank is the ONLY staff member in Reservation history to serve in all three of top camp positions–Program Director, Camp Director, and Camp Commissioner.

Steve Eubank has many unique aspects to his Boxwell service. He is the only staff member to serve as program director at two camps simultaneously as well as the only staff member to serve in all three key positions. Not only that, but his wife Judi was Kitchen Director at Parnell with him in the 1970s!

Boxwell Greats: Wilbur Creighton

Wilbur F. Creighton, Sr. was Council President from 1951-1953.

In 1954, after his run as President, Creighton, along with then Council President Colonel Gilbert Dorland, Council Executive Ward Akers, and co-founder of the _Nashville Banner_ E. B. Stahlman, carried the idea of a “new” Boxwell to Congressman J. Carlton Loser. As a new TVA project—Old Hickory Dam—was being considered, Creighton and others petitioned Loser to get the federal government to permanently lease an area of land to the Middle Tennessee Council. With support from Congressmen Joe Evins and Clifford Davis as well as Senator Albert Gore, Sr., Creighton, et al., were able to secure a bill granting 500 acres off of Highway 109.

While never a staff member himself, Creighton’s impact on Boxwell is undeniable.  In fact, Creighton is also known to have said the Reservation’s office, during its construction, reminded him of a sexually excited turtle, thus leading to the name “Cripple Crab.” His son, Wilbur F. Creigthon, Jr. wrote the first and only history of Middle Tennessee Council, Boys Will Be Men in 1983. Today, “Creighton Lane” pays homage to father and son. Wilbur Creighton III has served on the Council’s Camping Committee for many years.

Shown here is Creighton, Sr.’s official portrait at the Council Office.  Text is adapted from Creighton, Jr.’s _Boys Will Be Men_, the only history of Middle Tennessee Council.

Official portrait of former Council President, Wilbur F. Creighton. Creighton is the first in a legacy of Scouters dedicated to Middle Tennessee Council.

Boxwell Greats: Jim Barr

A school teacher in Metro schools during his “real life,” James “Jim” Barr joined Stahlman Staff as Waterfront Director in 1975.  He continued as Stahlman Staff until 1977, moved to Craig for three years, and then completed his tenure at Stahlman’s Waterfront in 1987.

Of course, Jim Barr is generally known as part of the leadership team of Ernie Ragsdale and Jim Barr.  Ironically, while known as the heart and soul of Stahlman throughout the 1980s, Ragsdale and Barr began their time together at Camp Craig.  Among younger staff, the connection between the two men was always mysterious.  Were they close simply because they were both teachers? Had they served in Vietnam together?  Regardless, according to Web Webster, “The fact was that while the two were separate; the two did a very good job at playing of good cop/ bad cop although sometimes it would be bad cop/worse cop.”

While we don’t know for sure if this story is true, there is a fascinating (but terribly sad) story concerning Ragsdale and Barr.  The two men had dinner (or had gone out together) the night Ernie died.    During the outing, Ernie complained he wasn’t feeling well and went home, where sitting in his chair at home, he suffered a heart attack and died.  Much like when Tom Willhite passed away after visiting with former camp staff friends, Barr was with Ragsdale hours before his death.  Sometimes camp staff bonds seem to transcend into the supernatural…

Shown here is Ernie Ragsdale (left) and Jim Barr at the 1989 National Scout Jamboree.  Photo by Tom Willhite.

Ernie Ragsdale (left) and Jim Barr (right) at the 1989 National Scout Jamboree. As Barr himself explained, he and Ragsdale would often leave for the Jamboree a week early, spending two weeks away from home. Ragsdale would sometimes travel with as little $30 for the whole trip!