LAKE CRYSTAL — Although it hasn’t been used by Scouts since about 2019 and the Lake Crystal troop was disbanded a couple of years ago, the 1950 Scout cabin in Robinson Park likely will be receiving new shingles, exterior paint and a cleaned-up interior in advance of a new use.
The Lake Crystal Historical Society had been interested in putting educational displays in the rustic building that had been a meeting place and overnight camp for Scouts, but instead the city of Lake Crystal is improving it for use as a rental community space.
Society members have offered to scrape and paint it, according to City Council minutes from March. City Administrator Angela Grafstrom also applied for a Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund paint grant.
Regardless of how the structure will be used, many with their own history with the building are happy to see it getting improved.
Lake Crystal Boy Scout Troop No. 131 was established in 1928, sponsored by John Roth American Legion Post No. 294, according to historical society research. The first scoutmasters were Dr. W. H. “Bill” James and local train depot agent Charles T. Peterson.
The first cabin was built in 1936 using construction materials gathered beginning Aug. 31 of that year. It was built on the Upson family woods on the northeastern shore of Crystal Lake.
It was built in time for overnight camps in fall and winter, presumably used until the late 1940s, according to the society’s research.
Planning for the current 20-by-40-foot building began in April 1950, meaning it is celebrating its 75th year. It was built on a new land addition to Robinson Park.
“It was nice to have a place where we could meet, you know. Our own place, rather than a church basement or something like that,” said Rick Manke, 67, who followed his father, Fred, as a Lake Crystal scoutmaster. He ended that role about 20 years ago, he said.
“We would have overnight camp outs in it, stuff like that. Sometimes in the winter. It had a big fireplace in there,” he said of the one big room. “It had an attic upstairs where we could keep our gear that was out of season, you know. Then it had a bunch of benches in there for boys to sit on and the table up front for the scoutmasters.”
Their Scout outings would average about 20-25 boys, he estimated, with bathrooms in nearby buildings.
Among the other scoutmasters associated with Lake Crystal were:
• Dr. Paul Smith, who took the troop to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in 1955.
• The elder Manke, who took the troop to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington, D.C., in 1977.
• The younger Manke, who in 1995 with assistant Scoutmasters Jerry Hillesheim and Jeff Whitehead led 27 Boy Scouts, while Cubmaster Tom McMonagle managed 38 Cub Scouts.
“The cabin was home to many meetings, celebrations and gatherings,” the historical society wrote. “Its walls were lined with plenty of rules, mottos, art and awards. Throughout the years, many dedicated individuals in the community have given their time and effort to ensure that Boy Scouting remained a rewarding and impactful experience for the youth of Lake Crystal.”
The cost to rent the cabin is $70 for four hours. Many of the Scouting items are still inside of it.