The Passing of Anthony Farmer

The VirtualBoxwell team is saddened to report the passing of Anthony “Tony” Farmer.  Tony was a member of the Boxwell staff in 1972 and 1973, serving both at Parnell and Stahlman.  He served as a program aid under the commissioner system at Parnell and a member of the Field Sports staff at Stahlman and other miscellaneous assignments.  He passed away in June of 2024 at 67 years of age.

There is no posted obituary for Tony. However, his twin brother Tim wrote this for us: “Anthony G Farmer  (Tony) who worked at Boxwell reservation  summer camp 1972-73. Died on the 2nd of June 2024 after a few years of being paralyzed by strokes.  After Boxwell, Tony enlisted for a short time in the U.S. Navy. He later excelled as an aircraft mechanic and inspector. And was a small aircraft pilot. He also worked on our fleet of B-52’s for a while. He raised two sons and a daughter, and left us all too soon at only 67 years of age.”

We have no staff photos for Parnell in 1972 or Stahlman in 1973.  Shown here is the Parnell Rifle Range in 1970.  This is the way Rifle Shooting Merit Badge was taught during Tony’s tenure on Field Sports staff.

Parnell Rifle shooting, 1970

Parnell Rifle shooting, 1970. Photo by Chris “Kit” Eckert

The Passing of Dickie Dillard

The VirtualBoxwell team is saddened to report the passing of Dickie “Bob” Dillard.  Bob was a member of the Stahlman staff in 1970 and 1971.  In his second year, he worked in the Con-Yard.  We know that he attended Tennessee Tech and served in the US Army for a time, though we are unsure how long.  He married in 2008 and his wife survives.  He has no children that we are aware of.  He passed on February 15, 2018.

Bob’s obituary can be found here: https://www.nashvillefuneralandcremation.com/obituaries/dickie-dillard

We have no staff photo for the Stahlman staff in 1970 or 1971.  Instead, here is a photo of the totem pole outside of Site 10 in 1970.

Site 10 Totem Pole

Stahlman site 10 totem pole, 1970. Photo by Chris Eckert

From the Archives, January 26, 2025

Dining Hall Archeology

This ugly piece of aggregate masonry is from the foundation of the second Narrows of the Harpeth Boxwell’s dining hall. The second dining hall was further up the hill from the river than the first building. It was larger and included a new stove, ice box, and sinks. Begun in 1939 and completed after camp in 1940, the new building cost about $2000. The original dining hall became a craft shack.

After Boxwell left the Narrows for Rock Island and then Old Hickory Lake, the Narrows site continued along as council property. After the Akers troubles and the economic issues of the mid-1970s, the Council sold the Narrows property to the State of Tennessee in 1978, when it became part of the Harpeth River State Park. The Park’s Ranger station was built on the same hill as the “new” dining hall, which slowly deteriorated. In the early 21st century (we’re not sure when exactly), the old dining hall was finally torn down and a garage built on the original foundation. A chimney was pushed over, built from the same aggregate mix as the foundation. This sample came from those remains, extracted in 2017.

If you ever explore the hill around the ranger’s station, you might find other pieces of the Narrows dining hall, including the rusted remains of a wood burning stove. The Narrows Boxwell is now as much archeology as it is straight history!

Narrows of the Harpeth Rock

Chunk of aggregate from the foundation of the second dining hall at the Narrows Boxwell, 2017. Photo by Grady Eades

The Passing of Walter Fisher

The VirtualBoxwell Team is saddened to report the passing of Walter E. Fisher, Jr.  Walter was a member of the 1992 staff.  We lack specifics on where he served, but we’re fairly confident he was part of the Stahlman staff. Unfortunately, we know virtually nothing about his life after Boxwell.  He passed on August 6, 2020 at age 68.  He was survived by his wife and three sons.

Walter’s obituary may be found here: https://www.dicksonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Walter-Eugene-Fisher?obId=33932030

Here is the 1992 Stahlman staff, of which we believe Walter was a part.

Stahlman Staff, 1992

Stahlman Staff, 1992. Photo by Russ Parham.

The Passing of Michael Mitchell

The VirtualBoxwell Team is saddened to report the passing of Michael “Mikey” Mackenzie Mitchell.  Mikey was a Stahlman staff member in 2004, possibly other years as well.  He worked in the Trading Post.  After camp, married and had a son.  He was deeply engaged in pop culture, even participating in the Tennessee Ghostbusters.  He passed on February 17, 2024 after a three year battle with ALS.  He was 36 years old.

You may read Mikey’s obituary here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/michael-mitchell-obituary?id=54415739

Attached is the 2004 Stahlman Staff, of which Mikey was a part.

Stahlman Staff, 2004

Stahlman Staff, 2004