On July 28, 2007, Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco will host its 80th anniversary celebration. No-Be’s 81 summers of continuous Boy Scout summer camping is the longest streak in all of New Jersey. In preparation for the many Scouting programs planned this year (including the Weboree, Order of the Arrow induction and section conclave, summer camp, and the anniversary day), Steve Kallesser and Joe Berlinghieri have been busy researching and revising the camp history, which had not been updated in the last 40 years.
Part of this research was regarding what the property was before it was purchased for the Boy Scouts. Serious research began in mid-2006, assembling facts from the sometimes dusty cellars of Warren and Sussex Counties, and even as far away as the State Archives in Trenton. This, combined with a good knowledge of the camp led to the discovery that two small farms existed at the property.
Click here to read more about the original archaeological dig
Other facts were also discovered about the many people who owned parts of the camp prior to its purchase for the Boy Scouts. Among the more interesting facts dug up: Samuel Green was the first European to see Sand Pond, William Penn held the original claim to most of the camp, one of the original owners of part of the property was the subject of a Longfellow poem, the original settler on the property enlisted with British forces during the Revolutionary War, and also that the property was involved in a land dispute that was settled by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
The research took a huge step forward when the Battlefield Restoration and Archaeological Volunteer Organization (BRAVO) was enlisted for a day-long investigation at two old farm areas at the camp. On December 9th, 13 members of BRAVO came to the camp for a day of exploration and discovery. Their results were impressive, showing that each of the two sites had been used not once, but twice through history. The Clandenin Farm (where the old outpost lean-tu stood) had been used during the Colonial period, and then again during the 1800’s. The Mountain Farm (the pre-ordeal site) was a farm during the early- to mid-1800’s, and was also later used as a farm following the Civil War.
BRAVO recorded the location of each artifact found, and removed each for cleaning, stabilization, identification, and cataloguing for their archaeological report to the Council, which has just recently been delivered.
Among the more significant artifacts discovered:
Brass shoe buckle frame (late 1700’s)
An intact pewter sleigh bell (pre-1900)
Musket ball chewed by a pig (mid-1800’s or earlier)
Horseshoes
US military general service uniform coat button (1854-1874)
Eating utensils from the early- and mid-1800’s
Pieces of a brass oil/kerosene lamp
Clothes buttons from various time periods (late 1700’s, 1800’s, through early 1900’s)
Hand-wrought nail (pre-1815)
Machine cut nails (~1815-1860)
What it means:
This information proves that the area of the pre-ordeal site (the Mountain Farm) had been used as a homestead during the approximate time period of ~1825-1860, during which time Israel C. Conkle owned the land. This is supported by the determination of the age of several nails and eating utensils found at the site.
Further, additional artifacts prove that this farm was active in the years following the Civil War. This is supported by the finding of a Civil War era military coat button. This corresponds with the 1874 Atlas of Warren County that shows a homestead at that location. Further research has concluded that the button most likely belonged to Pvt. Peter S. Hyatt, a Civil War veteran.
A World War I-era button was also found in this area. This is interesting because prior to the early 1940’s, there is no record of this area of the camp property being used for Scouting purposes.
In addition, the information gathered helps to prove that the area by the old outpost lean-tu (the Clandenin Farm) had been a homestead in the late 1700’s, at the time James Clandenin owned the property before his enlistment with British forces in 1778. This is supported by the finding of a brass shoe buckle, several buttons from the late 1700’s, and at least one hand-wrought nail.
This same area was later homesteaded in the early- to mid- 1800’s. This is supported by the finding of buttons from the early-1800’s (including several that were likely manufactured in England), and square nails.
While it was known that the outpost lean-tu was built prior to 1936, some artifacts helped to reinforce that this area was used by the Scouts during this period. This was supporting by the finding of a 1930’s cigar lighter, and an array of utensils that were identified as possibly World War I surplus.
Artifacts will likely be on display at some point during the Weboree, Lenapehoking IX weekend at No-Be, and the anniversary celebration. Any counselor for American Heritage or Archaeology merit badges who would like to use the materials as part of a merit badge program should contact the Sand Pond Society. The Council is currently exploring its options for the future of these historic items, ensuring their conservation while making them available for the Scouts to use as part of organized programs.
Additional information was gathered from the Hardwick Township Historical Society, past Council publications such as camp promotion brochures and newsletters, Karl Springob’s history of the Bergen Council, genealogy- and history-related sites on the Internet, as well as stories, maps, documents, and photographs contributed by fellow Scouters.
A new pamphlet regarding camp history will be made available during certain events this year. If you have information, images, or material you would like to submit, please contact Steve or Joe at the e-mail listed above.
BRAVO’s services to the Council were provided at no cost. Patricia Kallesser, a superintendent with the State Park Service who is also a member of the Weboree staff, was responsible for bringing the Scouters and BRAVO together. She and Steve, Paul Buttgereit, Joe Berlinghieri, and Rob Coonce all assisted in guiding the skilled volunteers of BRAVO in December.
A special thanks to Trip McMillan, Patty Fitzmaurice, and Grey Rolland for allowing access to the records of the camp and Council. Also, thanks to Ranger Tom Rich for sharing his collection of past Council newsletters, and his time at the camp.
(NOTE: To ensure the conservation of the historic resources at the camp, any Scout or Scouter interested in metal-detecting at camp should make their request through the Council’s Camping Committee.)
Browse the full report:
