The Boy Scouts organization was first formed in England by Sir Robert Baden Powell in 1908.  Here in the United States it was founded by Daniel Carter Beard in 1910. The first mention of the Boy Scouts in New London was that a group of Boy Scouts marched in the 1911 Fourth of July parade. Later in 1914 a group of Boy Scouts set up a hospital tent complete with first aid during the New London Labor Day festival. The Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls then had charge of the restrooms during the 1915 Labor Day Festival.

In 1919 a patriotic affair was held on the square in downtown New London in which the Boy Scouts carried the "War Chest" coffin carrying "Kaiser Bill". Of course this was during World War One.The local Scout Troop No 20 was formed in 1925 with ten members. The Scouts collected clothing and shoes for the needy at Christmas time in 1933. In 1940 they had their first display at the Huron County Fair.

In 1929 the New London Boy Scouts were engaged in building a cabin on the Dr. M.E. Roasberry farm East of town. Later on this cabin was moved to Recreation Park the summer of 1935 where the scouts had their weekly meetings for many years. Around 1988 vandals burned this cabin to the ground.

The first "Eagle Scout", a boys highest ranking in scouting, from New London was John Landis. Damien Leach and Delbert Barnes soon followed as did Darwin Cunningham. Ted Mathers and Stuart Siddall became Eagle Scouts in 1938. Some of the early Scoutmasters were Harold Krop, Kelley Osborne, Ted Walters and John Bacon. New London was called Troop 20 in the busy collecting and bundling paper and scrap for the war effort during World War Two. The troop number was changed to Troop 17 which it still has today. After the war the New London Boy Scouts almost faded away but two New London men, Lyle Knapp and Jay Murr, began to build the scouts up to the level that they used to be. In fact in the 1960's New London had two Troops, No 217 and 227!  A group of Explorer Scouts were also organized and they went on canoe trips in Michigan and to the National Scout Jamboree at Philmont, N.M. Some of the boys earning "Eagle" under Lyle and Jay were Don and Larry Perry, Paul land Carl Jennings, Dick Rowland, Mark Crunrine, Doug, Ed and Dick Murr, Mark Myers, Bob Skillicorn, Steve Whetstone and Larry Neel. There are others I have forgotten.

Lyle Knapp and Jay Murr are the only New London men who have been presented the "Silver Beaver Award" which is the top award for people involved in the Boy Scout Program. Today there are 32 boys in New London Troop 217 under the guidance of Scoutmaster David Porter and Assist. Dick Murr. The boys have been involved in many Civic Projects like building benches for the New London Reservoir Park and putting in new shrubbery at the American Legion as well as a new sign at the parking lot entrance to the Legion. Also they have put in new walks going to and around the Civil War Monument along with benches in the Library Park.

The boys have worked hard to make New London a better looking place and the coveted "Eagle" badge has been awarded to several of the boys each year. Josh Pack, Mike Smith, Chris Wolf, Brandon Porter, Jay Eastman, Cory Wybensinger, Jordon Eastman, Josh Hahn, Tony Bunt, Josh, Dan and Ben Kaufman are just a few of the boys who have received the Eagle award in recent years. I apologize for those I have forgotten.

Scouting teaches our youth to become good citizens in our society and has kept many a youth from going down the wrong path of life!  They learn to respect other people, god and our country and to be of service to their community as life goes on. Those involved in Scouting have done a great job and will continue to do so and our little community of New London should appreciate the work that they have and are doing to make our town a better place.

After arson destroyed the original Boy Scout cabin over 10 years ago, the New London scouts have had to use the Methodist church to hold their meetings. However, after the hard work and dedication of many community members they once again have a place to called "home." Due to the generous donations of Charles "Chuckie" Thomas and others in the town the boys have a new log cabin. Scout leaders Dick Murr & Dave Porter, along with numerous other volunteers constructed the new meeting place this summer. An induction ceremony was held October 1, 2000, with several hundred people in attendance. The cabin is complete with a fireplace, refrigerator, porch and storage closet.

V.K. Neel and Tiffany Murr with help from NLHS Annuals.