Did You Know?

The organization of a Boy Scout troop in Bristol paralleled that of the National Organization of Boy Scouts, which was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, February 5, 1910, and restated when chartered by the Congress of the United States on June 15, 1915.

The seeds of the Scouting program were planted in 1913, by Benjamin L. Dulaney.  Mr. Dulaney, born near Blountville, taught school before moving to Bristol, where he became one of the South's leading businessmen. 

Mr. Dulaney traveled to London in 1910 with a group of Americans to confer with Sir Baden-Powell.  he assisted with the organization of the Boy Scouts of America and served on the National Council as First-Vice President.

Upon his return to Bristol in 1910, Mr. Dulaney offered the use of a log cabin he owned on the knobs near Clifton Heights, to his youngest son, Landon "Cobb", if he would organize a Boy Scout Patrol.  "Cobb" and his best friend, Lawrence "Doc" Hammer, rounded up eight other boys and formed the Owl Patrol.  Mr. Dulaney recruited Joseph A. Caldwell, and attorney, to serve as Scout Master.  Designated as Troop No. 4, by the National Scout Officals in Washington, D.C. , the troop met in the cabin in the summer and later a church began sponsoring the Troop.

More to come...