The Hardcastle Collection

This week we’re doing something a little different: we’re showcasing someone else’s collection. The Metro Archives at the Nashville Public Library has a collection from a Mr. K. C. Hardcastle, Jr. Hardcastle was the Secretary and Assistant Manager of the Tennessee Metal Culvert Company, the company of L. G. Boxwell. Hardcastle wrote letters and used what influence he had with the Tennessee Congressional delegation to secure passage of 1957 Special Act of Congress that allowed for Boxwell Reservation on Old Hickory Lake. His correspondence is at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

At the Metro Archives however, Hardcastle has a set of photographs of Boxwell at Rock Island that give us a really unique perspective on the camp. The famous oak tree seen here apparently came from this collection originally, but this collection has much more! You can see scenes from the Rock Island Kitchen, Scouts leaping into one of the waterfront Cribs, a suspended flagpole, and archery. There are only 12 photos, but there are some good shots here. Here is the link and a quick description list:
https://digital.library.nashville.org/digital/collection/nr/search/searchterm/Boxwell

All photos from July 17, 1958
Photo 1: Archery Range
Photo 2: Man with Saint Bernard by the Kitchen
Photo 3: Different man with Saint Bernard; Kitchen and dining hall tents in background
Photo 4: Oak tree and handicraft
Photo 5: Food window from the kitchen; photographer standing in dining hall tents
Photo 6: Scouts working on Lifesaving MB at one of the waterfront cribs
Photo 7: One of the camp’s pit toilets
Photo 8: The archery Range
Photo 9: Suspended flag pole in the assembly area
Photo 10: Unknown
Photo 11: The Kitchen; dining hall tents to the left
Photo 12: The food windows from the kitchen

Handicraft Tree at Rock Island, 1958. General Collection.