SCOUT HALL

The Evansburg Scout Hall, built in 1931, has a long and eventful history both prior to and after its erection. Used as a Red Cross fund-raiser building, a Ladies Auxiliary meeting space (before the construction of the Evansburg Legion), the Evansburg museum and of course, a place for the various scout groups, the Scout Hall is fondly remembered by the people of Evansburg. The Hall owes thanks to the Styal Hall and various empty classrooms for hosting discussions and fundraisers for its construction. As well, the group leaders, fundraising groups, and other miscellaneous people deserve credit for their hard work and dedication to our lovely little building.

An important thing of note is that the Brownie groups, Cub groups, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be collectively referred to as “the scouts.” Specific groups will be indicated by capitalization.

[image: the Boy Scouts, late 1930s]

Before The Beginning…

During the First World War, roughly around 1917, the Boy Scouts were led by Mr. Con O’Daly of the Entwistle School.

During their time, they learned knot-tying, first aid skills, and how to correctly fly the Union Jack– the national flag in this period. They also went on camping trips, where they learned to pitch tents, improvise beds out of pine needles, and start campfires. The group dissolved in 1919, when O’Daly left the area.

During the start of the depression, money was scarce in all parts of the country, and the lumber for the Scout Hall was bought on credit from the M.D. Muttart Building Supply Co. in Edmonton.

Scout Service

Beginning with its namesake, the Scout Hall was home to at least two eras of scouts during its lifetime. In 1932, the Evansburg Brownie pack was established and led by Gladys Schroder (Stephens). Previously established were the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Cubs, which also used the Scout Hall as a meeting space. The Boy Scouts [pictured above, late 1930’s] were led by Tom Baker, a grade seven to nine teacher in Entwistle. The Cubs were led by Bob Gillard, and the Girl Guides by Gladys Smith (and later by Thelma Mitchell). Here, the scout groups learned survival and housekeeping skills. According to Gladys Schroder (Foley Trail), the Brownie pack “played Brownie games, worked for badges, and learned to tie knots.” She also states that Saturdays were slotted for nature walks and hikes. These activities continued until their disbandment around 1936, when the Evansburg mine closed and many people left the area.

Groups were eventually re-established around the 1950s. The Brownies were led by Anna Wade and assisted by Alice Campbell. A couple of years later, the Girl Guides were reestablished with Mary Cummings as leader and Stella Lorenz as an Assistant. Both groups discontinued around 1960.

the red cross

In World War II, the demand for military funds and supplies skyrocketed. A small hamlet like Evansburg would have been far disconnected from the major impacts of the war, aside from Evansburg residents who bravely volunteered for service; however, regular citizens, including mothers, children, seniors, and those not fit for service, wanted to make a difference on a global scale. The Evansburg Red Cross was a perfect fit for such citizens, and the Scout Hall hosted them with no complaints.

Throughout the Second World War, the Evansburg Red Cross would contribute to the war effort in as many ways as they knew possible. When the Red Cross Headquarters sent clothing supplies, the Evansburg group would knit them into socks, gloves, pajamas, and even helmets, among other articles. They raised money by involving the community and hosting Bingos in the Scout Hall on Saturday nights. According to Fanny E. Davey in Foley Trail , these bingos “attracted a good crowd.” Davey also recalls the price of a bingo card to be ten cents, roughly $2.20 today. Prizes were donated by generous local merchants. The Scout Hall was also host to rummage sales and teas, also run by the Evansburg Red Cross. The group disbanded after the end of the war in 1945, but their dedication and hard work are still remembered today.

royal canadian legion #196

in the early months of 1949, the Scout Hall was once again needed for the good of the community. The Ladies Auxiliary was formed on February 28th, 1949, when eighteen future members met at the Scout Hall. The first Ladies Auxiliaries formed during World War I, mainly being tasked with supporting wounded soldiers, and assisting them with their return home. When the Royal Canadian Legion formed in 1926, Auxiliary groups found their home there, with the shared goal of providing for these veterans. With this in mind, the new Evansburg Ladies Auxiliary required a home, and so the planning and fundraising for the first Evansburg Legion commenced.

Like the Red Cross, the Ladies Auxiliary employed bingos as their main fundraising tactic; they also held bridge games and provided lunch. According to Mary Cummings, the Ladies Auxiliary to Branch 196 secretary-treasurer, “for thirty-five cents, one could have an evening of cards and lunch.” (Foley Trail volume 1 pg 511). This amounts to $4.54 in today’s currency. This hall was officially opened on November 11, 1949.

[Image: the Scout Hall as the Pembina Lobstick Historical Society Museum]

The scout hall: where it is today

Our beloved Scout Hall was used as the main museum building for the Pembina Lobstick Historical Society in the 1980s. It has had at least three different locations around Evansburg in its lifetime; Originally built near the south end of the current court house, it was moved in later years near the North side of the Evansburg Legion Hall. In 1996, after suffering from a lack of maintenance, the building was renovated to serve as a museum and moved to a historical site in northeast Evansburg. Today, the Scout Hall sits South of the Tipple Park Museum as one of five out-buildings.