1928 Camp Horseshoe Album

“Once you get the dust of Horseshoe in your moccasins, you can never get it out.”

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1928 Camp Horseshoe Album

When Camp Horseshoe first opened, the Dining Hall, Reynolds Farm and Spring Houses and Kindness Center were all visible from the Octoraro Creek.

Scouts in 1928 pausing along the way on their hike with the beautiful southern Chester County and Maryland hillside in the background.

From the Kindness Center porch, there was a clear view to the Athletic Field when Camp Horseshoe was founded.

Kindness Center stage was the center of entertainment on many a rainy night at Camp Horseshoe.

The Kindness Center, as it looked when Camp Horseshoe first opened in 1928.

A view of the back of Browning Lodge with its balcony and large stone chimney. The balcony has since been removed but the chimney still services this winter lodge’s wood stove.

The view of the White House and Bug House from behind Kindness Center has not changed that much over the years. The roof of the Dining Hall is also visible in the distance.

The careful observer will notice the Stars and Stripes flying in the breeze atop Flagpole Hill in the distance. This picture was taken from the Athletic Field soon after camp opened.

The old camp road, Horseshoe Road, followed the Octoraro Creek heading upstream from Maryland to Kindness Center.

An early picture of Chef standing outside of the new Allen Memorial Dining Hall. The steps lead to the Cook’s sleeping quarters.

Scouts file into the Horseshoe Mess Hall ‘filling station’.

An early group picture on Horseshoe mess hall porch.

The view of the entrance of Kit Carson campsite in 1928.

Old Ironsides was the original name for what is now Bayard Taylor campsite. In the first year of Camp, this was the Sea Scout and Water Activities campsite.

The White House and surrounding grounds during the inaugural year of Camp. Note the treeless hillside in front of the White House toward the present day Headquarters.

Early pioneering at Horseshoe in the Campcraft Area.

Pioneering projects have not changed much over the years. Today you will still find similar projects constructed by the Pioneering Merit Badge class.

An early Fires and Cooking area at Campcraft.

The Fires and Cooking area in the inaugural Campcraft setup of 1928.

The tent demonstration area shows a regular A-frame tent as well as a lean-to made of scavenged material in this scene from the early days of Horseshoe.

A Scout is Clean, and this sign from 1928 certainly encourages it.

There was even a sweat lodge at the inaugural campcraft setup of 1928.

This early view of Kindness Center reveals the barren hillside known as Flagpole Hill in background. The American flag would fly atop the hill for many years until trees obscured the view of the flag from the rest of camp.

This scene from 1928 is somewhat reminiscent of today’s Trailblazers embarking on their overnight hike.

A group of Scouts carrying Horseshoe rolls hike past Browning Lodge while workers add the finishing touches to the new Kindness Center.

A group of hikers strolling around some part of camp.

The Reynolds farm house (later named the White House) with the spring house (later named the Bug House) in the background.

A lone Scout in one of the first Stockade sites.

A stockade site washstand.

A few Scouts in one of the first Stockade sites.

Here is a picture of a stockade building at the opening of camp.

A picture of a few stockade buildings in 1928.

The White House, Kindness Center, and Browning Lodge can be seen in this 1928 photo.

The Allen Memorial Dining Hall as seen from the road coming up from the White House.

An early view of the Octoraro Bend.

Early view of the Octoraro Creek.

The Athletic Field was the site of many competitions including baseball (note the backstop), archery and soccer.

Some dignitaries at Camp Horseshoe in 1928 along with a lone Scout.

Scouts run up the Kindness Center stairs for some activity in 1928.

Description:

First Camp Buildings1928 – Contributed by AnonymousWhen Camp Horseshoe first opened, the Dining Hall, Reynolds Farm and Spring Houses and Kindness Center were all visible from the Octoraro Creek. Early Hikers1928 – Contributed by John B. Rettew IIIScouts in 1928 pausing along the way on their hike with the beautiful southern Chester County and Maryland…

Created by:

Andrew Coe

Last Updated:

January 1, 2026

Created:

December 6, 2025

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Last updated January 1, 2026