65th Anniversary Court of Honor

On May 21, 1990, our troop celebrated its 65th anniversary with a Court of Honor much like we’re planning for our 100th anniversary coming up in May. The troop and families gathered at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, which at that time was located near the high school at 333 Meridian Street.

The troop celebrated two new Eagle scouts, Jeremy Nottingham and David Koller, as well as merit badges, rank advancement, and attendance awards. The ceremony included this terrific synopsis of our troop’s early history:

65th ANNIVERSARY OF TROOP 335

Troop 4 was formed on May 25, 1925, as part of the Lafayette-West Lafayette Council. By 1930 the troop had become so large it was divided into 3 troops, numbered 34, 35, 36 in what was then the Tippecanoe Council. The council became the Harrison Trails Council in 1939. Troop 35 retained that number until 1973 when H.T.C. merged with two other councils to become Sagamore Council. At this time an additional 3 was added, representing the 3rd or Tecumseh District of the council, making it Troop 335.

In the earlier days the troop was sponsored by parents groups and met at Morton School and the old Jr. High School at the corner of Vine and Fowler Streets. In 1960, St. Andrew Church became the sponsoring organization.

During its 65 years, approximately 750 boys have been members. At any one time the membership has ranged from 8 to a high of 90. Those members are or have been literally all over the world and have had a wide variation of occupations. Fifty-four of those members have attained the Rank of Eagle Scout. At least four have died in the service of our country and are represented by the gold stars on our troop flag.

The history of the troop is really the story of the Scouts, Scouters, parents, committee members and their participation in meetings, camp-outs, hikes, merit badges, boards of review, service projects, popcorn sales, paper and can drives, and many other activities. In the past year [1989-1990] there have been 46 troop meetings, 11 campouts totaling 29 nights, 12 service projects plus 3 Eagle projects, 3 hikes, 25 Rank advancements and 81 merit badges earned. The troop earned its 11th consecutive Quality Unit Award and was one of 30 troops in the State to be presented the Troop Excellence Award by the Area president at a ceremony in Indianapolis.