“Where the waters flow round the tranquil Horseshoe Bend…”
Exhibit Details
The Octoraro Creek winds through the camp in the shape of a horseshoe for which Horseshoe Scout Reservation received it’s name. The creek has been the source of recreation, beauty and destruction over the years.
Scouts try their luck at fishing in the Octoraro during a Fishing merit badge class.
Octoraro Creek at OA Bridge
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
A view of the Octoraro Creek downstream from the OA bridge. This is the site of the old boat docks before they were moved in the late 70’s.
Octoraro Creek at the Bend
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
A view of the Bend of the Octoraro as seen from upstream.
Octoraro Roaring
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The mighty (muddy) Octoraro as seen from the Chapel after a night of heavy rain.
Octoraro in Spring
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
A shot of the Octoraro from the Horseshoe chapel during a brisk Spring morning.
Octoraro Loop
1930 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
View of the Octoraro Loop in 1930
Horseshoe Octoraro bend
1935 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Hanging out by the Bend of the Octoraro in the ’30s.
Octoraro Bend Boating
1935 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Boating at the Bend in the Octoraro in the ’30s.
Horseshoe – Ware Bridge
2006 – Contributed by James Buczala
Picture of the Octoraro Creek and the bridge connecting Camps Ware and Horseshoe taken on a clear early Autumn day.
Octoraro Flooding
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
In September 2010, several days of hard rain turned the Octoraro Creek into a bloated swell that jumped the banks and flooded out some of the low-lying areas of HSR.
Octoraro Creek in Winter
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
After a large snowstorm in January 2011, the creek becomes quite picturesque and ready for a real polar bear swim!
Octoraro Hike
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
G. Ernest Heegard (right) and Neil Chippendale take a stroll along the Octoraro Creek.
'Octoraro' – Muddy Water
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
This really shows you how the Octoraro Creek got its name.
The Muddy Octoraro
Contributed by Rev. Thomas Shanklin
Here is a picture of the muddy Octoraro creek after it jumped its banks.
The Mighty Octoraro
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Here is an aerial view of the Octoraro Creek taken during the Drone Day of 2020. This was the winning photo of the Drone Day contest, taken by Price Stevenson III.
Early Boating
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
An early picture of boating on the Octoraro. This photo can be found in the Chester County Council Boy Scouts of America 1910-1935 book.
Shallow Water
1979 – Contributed by Anonymous
The exposed sandbar and shoreline were not all that uncommon at the old Boatdocks.
Whoops
1999 – Contributed by Anthony J. DiAntonio
Mark Deese accidentally parked his father’s vehicle on the Octoraro Creek underwater bridge as he tried to forge the river at high tide in Winter. The incident caused the Octoraro to be dubbed the “Deese Underwater Highway” (DUH) for a short period.
Ice Floe
Contributed by David B. Woodward
Onlookers check out the large ice floes in the Octoraro Creek.
Ice Floe
Contributed by David B. Woodward
Onlookers check out the large ice floes in the Octoraro Creek.
Fishing Fun
2025 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Cubs and their parents try their luck at angling in the Octoraro Creek during the 2025 C5 Event.
Octoraro High Water
Contributed by Anonymous
Here is a scene of the Octoraro Creek having a huge rush of water after a storm.
Rowing Merit Badge
Contributed by Anonymous
A Scout practices his rowing strokes while his passenger enjoys the ride.
The Octoraro
1928 – Contributed by Anonymous
Early view of the Octoraro Creek.
Octoraro Creek
1928 – Contributed by Anonymous
An early view of the Octoraro Bend.
Old Boat Docks
Contributed by Anonymous
The Old Boat Docks went through a number of different looks during its time of service. At this time there was a ramp for launching canoes and moorings for the row boats. Rising flood waters would wreak havoc on improvements such as these.
Gold Rush
Display Details
A popular campwide game that started in the mid-forties was the Gold Rush where campers would pan for gold in the Octoraro. That evening, the Scouts would gather in Kindness Center for a Boomtown.
Scouts are panning for gold in the Octoraro as a campwide activity.
Gold Rush
Contributed by Anonymous
Scouts panning for gold in the Octoraro.
Dam Party
1945 – Contributed by Anonymous
“GOLD IN THE CREEK! Gold Rush Day at Camp. Staking a claim and panning for gold so we could get cash for the Carnival at Kindness Center that night!
Octoraro Gold Rush
Contributed by Anonymous
Octoraro Gold Rush
Narratives
This article first appeared in the July 2001 issue of the HSRAA newsletter, The Octoraro Loop. 1944 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Yes GOLD! The year was 1944 (and numerous years since then) that gold was found in the bed of the Octoraro Creek near the Swinging Bridge (OA) and the Boat Docks that then were off the Horseshoe Athletic Field
Gold fever was rampant through each of the five stockade camps as news arrived during the afternoon ‘siesta’. The campers were mobilized for the search for the precious stone – it was like 1849 and the Gold Rush of that earlier day. Scouts were in a frenzy…leaders did not know what to do to hold their minions back from rushing to the Creek! Finally, Program Director J. Holland Heck and Camp Director Frank Beam coolly issued the plan to the assembled camp so that all could enjoy the wealth the gold would surely bring!
Each Stockade was given instructions that they were to proceed to the Creek in bathing suits and old shoes with appropriate buckets to pan for the gold. When they got to the Creek, each unit was to stake out their claim in the Creek. “Revenooers” were there to make sure there was no claim jumping. Once the gold was found, the unit was to proceed to the Assayer’s Office where the gold would be weighed and exchanged for “money.”
Well, I can remember mucking from here to there for some time before my bunkmates and I came up with the gold rock! We turned it in and were richly rewarded!
That night, in Kindness Center, a Boom Town was built with all sorts of games of chance (and skill) where we could spend our newly found riches!
What a day! What a fun time for a first year camper as well as those who had been to camp for many years!
Videos
Display Details
This display chronicles a few videos taken over the years of the Octoraro Creek.
Octoraro Creek A look at the tranquil Octoraro Creek, whose silent splendor is only occasionally broken by crickets, bullfrogs and but a few tiny waves braking over rocks. 2002 – Contributed by Alexander MustoOctoraro Creek in 1943 Here is a look at some Scouts enjoying the Octoraro creek in 1943. 1943 – Contributed by Tom McCabe
Oxford Troop 44 does some tubing down the Octoraro Creek during summer camp. 2023 – Contributed by James Sweed
Postcards
Display Details
A lot of Camp Horseshoe postcards over the years have featured the Octoraro Creek, and here we have those on display.
This postcard displays some tranquil canoeing activity on the Octoraro Creek.
Native-Americans Canoeing Postcard
Contributed by Scott Hoopes
Another picture of Scouts dressed in Native-American costume in a canoe on the Octoraro Creek.
Native-Americans Canoeing Postcard
Contributed by Scott Hoopes
The description of the back of the postcard reads:
Horseshoe Scout Reservation – Chester County Council, B.S.A.
INDIAN TRADITION – Horseshoe has long been rich in Indian tradition. The Lenni Lenape Indians once paddled on these waters. Indian artifacts are found throughout the camp, especially in the vicinity of Buzzards Rock, an Indian campground. Members of the Order of the Arrow keep alive the traditions.
Postcard – Spirit of the Horseshoe
1970 – Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
This postcard had the following description:
‘Horseshoe Scout Reservation – rich in history and tradition. Scene of “The Spirit of Horseshoe” (Great Chief of the Lenni Lenape Indian Tribe) arriving for Ceremonial Welcome to Scout campers each week during the summer season. Chester County Council, Inc., Boy Scouts of America.’
Native-American Postcard
Contributed by Anonymous
This postcard also highlights a Native-American scene from the Octoraro Creek.
Boating Postcard
Contributed by Karl W. Winsch
This postcard from the late 1930s depicts boaters on the Octoraro. Note the size of the trees in Eagle’s Grove, the size of the lifeguard stand and the White House in the background.
On the Octorara Postcard
Contributed by Anonymous
On the ‘Octorara’ Horseshoe Reservation Scout Camp, Chester County Council BSA
Chapel Postcard
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
This morning view of the Octoraro Creek was taken from the Schlaanstine Chapel.
Unknown Postcard
Contributed by Anonymous
This early postcard was not from Camp Horseshoe but possibly Laurel Lake at Camp Rothrock.
Jigsaw Puzzle
Display Details
Enjoy this jigsaw puzzle of the Octoraro Creek. Press this button to play on Jigsaw Planet’s website.
to play on Jigsaw Planet’s website.