Now and Then, Part IV

We wrap up the Now and Then series this week with a look at the old COPE rappelling tower. Next month we take a look at Boxwell weddings.

On the left is the original COPE rappelling tower. Built in the mid-1980s, the tower was located along Craig Road near the upper edge of the Woodbadge parking lot. This was the tower in 2002; it was clearly past its prime and had long been surpassed by the Al Hendrickson Tower that we all know today–still the tallest building in Wilson County.

On the right is the original COPE rappelling tower today. Yep, it’s gone. If you got the site, there are still four stumps in the ground where the telephone pole uprights used to be, but the tower itself is no more.

Let’s be honest. You all knew that the whole “Now and Then” theme was building up to something just like this…

Here are two views of the original COPE rappelling tower.

Now and Then, Part III

Our “Now and Then” series takes a look at one of the more dramatic comparisons on the reservation: Murrey/Cubworld. One of the easiest ways to see that change is at the Dining Hall.

Most of you are aware that Camp Murrey opened in 1960 with Stahlman and Parnell; it was the family camp. Thus, as the top photo (1972) demonstrates, the camp’s needs were small and therefore so was the dining hall.

As part of the 1994 Capital Development Campaign, Murrey was replaced with CubWorld. The dining hall was gutted and expanded. You can see quite clearly in the bottom photo (2018)  the aspects of the original dining hall that remained after the renovations.

Top Photo Murrey Dining Hall in 1972; Bottom Photo Cubworld Dining Hall, 2018.

Now and Then, Part II

This week’s “Now and Then” takes us to Stahlman’s Waterfront. A waterfront is not an area you would think would change dramatically over the years, but as you can see here, you would be… well, mostly right, but a little wrong.

The top photo is Stahlman Waterfront in 1970. Note the large tree with a white sign on it. The sign says “Stahlman Waterfront” and marks the entrance to teh area. There is a double log fence and from there you can clearly see the L-shaped docks. The docks have wooden decks on metal frames. Just behind the tree you can barely make out the wooden lifegaurd tower. And, of course, in the distance, Explorer Island.

The bottom photo is Stahlman Waterfront in 2015. Only a stump remains of the tree and the while the “tower” is in the same place, it is a permanent rock structure. The docks start in the same place, but are made of different material and take a different formation. The fence is different now too. Also note the disability access trail to the waterfront, which would not even have been dreamed of in 1970, but was installed in 1995. And, of course, let’s not forget Explorer Island in the background. That is quite literally what 45 years of growth looks like.

Top: The Stahlman Waterfront in 1970; Bottom: the Stahlman Waterfront in 2015.

Now and Then, Part I

Taking a look at the old hanging sign inspired us to run a specific series for August, something we’re going to call “Now and Then.” The whole idea behind this particular series is pretty simple. As Boxwell is always evolving, we wanted to show some of the changes side by side. So, we’ll pick something mundane and put two photos side by side: something from several decades ago and today, or at least close to today.

In the spirit of something mundane, we thought we start with signs. The cedar planks that are routed out with the names of various locations are undeniably part of the “Boxwell aesthetic.” They help define how the camp looks and feels. But even these signs have gone through changes over the years.

On the left is the first major directional sign you see upon entering the reservation: the sign at the Cripple Crab pointing out where the different camps are located. This is how the sign looked in 1970. With the arrival of Camp Craig in 1973, the “Boxwell Reservation” plank was replaced with “Camp Edwin W. Craig.” From there the sign remained mostly unchanged until the 1994 Capital Development Campaign and the addition of CubWorld and the demise of Murrey

Since then it has slowly transformed into the picture on the right. This photo was taken in 2002, but the sign is largely the same today, all the way down to the security camera hiding in the shadow in the upper right corner. Notice that in this photo you can see the Health Lodge in the background, which didn’t exist when the 1970 photo was taken. Also, if you look closely, the Parnell and Light planks still appear to be the originals.

The sign at the Cripple Crab in 1970 and 2002.