Camp Onway - Building Projects

Building Projects

1929

• Burchard E. Horne Dining Hall — the original structure, consisting of the "main" dining area and kitchen, was on the property at the time of the purchase.
• Saint James Cabin — originally used as the cook's cabin, it is now commonly known as the oldest building in the camp. (Plans to renovate have been set forth for the 2006-2007 off-season.)
• Cabin #7 - formally the Office and Trading Post. It was then used to house junior staff, waterfront staff, or kitchen staff. In 2005, cabin 7 was turned into the commissioner's office and storage space.

1944

• George F. Wilson Lodge — until 1999 this building was the Health Lodge. Currently the building is used as a guest lodge. The building was funded in part by the Lawrence Lions Club.

1945

• Quonset hut — built with government surplus supplies by North Essex volunteers, it now houses the aquatics equipment in the off season.

1946

• Magee Cabin — through the funds from the George Magee Fund, the land from Pulpit Rock to Magee Cabin was obtained. The cabin has been the residence of the Camp Director since it was purchased.
• Aquatics tower — built through donations from the George Magee Fund.
• Steel docks — gift from the Lawrence Lions Club. These docks were originally used as swimming docks, currently they are used for the boating area.

1948

• Dining hall renovations — the kitchen area was rebuilt through funding provided by the Citizens of Greater Lawrence.

1950

• Water line improvements — first set of four improvements and extensions made to the water line, funded by the George Magee Fund.

1956

• Magee Lodge — originally built as the camp office and trading post, it now serves as a Scoutmaster lounge. In the winter it serves an excellent place to warm your toes after a day in the snow.

1957

• Water line improvements — second set of improvements, funded by the George Magee Fund.
• Loon Lodge (George Russell Lodge) - built as an interdenominational chapel by the Lawrence Exchange Club and later moved to Onway. Named after George Russell, who was a Council Commissioner. As the story goes, he died while packing his car to go to Lawrence, Kansas with the Order of the Arrow (OA). The OA was going to perform an Ordeal Ceremony at the National Conference. The project to move the building was led by Ray Sheehan, former Board Member. Today the building is used to house OA equipment.
• Pump house — until 1998 the building, located on the cement slab next to the amphitheatre, housed a water pump. 1993 was the last year that the fire hoses were set out. The building and pump were a gift from the Lawrence Lions Club.
• Dining Hall fireplace — the fireplace was built through funding provided by the Lawrence Lions Club.

1958

• Ranger's House — the original house and property was purchased in 1958 when Bruno Prevost was Council President.

1960

• George Russell Memorial Chapel — the present outdoor chapel was built in the early 1960s by Henry Bevin and Donald Smith, Chairman of the Lay Committee. Named in memory of George Russell, who was a Council Commissioner.

1961

• Commissary & Trading Post — originally built as a trading post with funds from Mr. & Mrs. Bruno Prevost. Later it was used as trail center after the Takesian Memorial was built. Today, after many renovations, it serves as the camp's trading post.
• Main Gate Way — funded by the Lawrence Lions Club.
• "Pop Bacon" Road — built by the U.S. Army Reserves and the 879th Corps of Engineers.

1962

• St. George Chapel — funds and labor provided by Monsignor Joseph Burke and St. Patrick's Parish, sponsor of Troop 18. Joe Muzerall was the chairman of the Lay Committee. Named after the patron saint of Scouting, Saint George.

1963

• Ed Rheaume Nature Lodge — funded and built by Shingebis Lodge #490.
• Maintenance Building — built through funding provided by George Magee Fund.
• Jack Ingalls Amphitheatre — planned and built by Jack Ingalls and a "few good boys and men" from Shingebis Lodge #490. Tidbit: the seats are old railroad ties from the Boston and Maine R.R., which used to rumble past the camp.

1964

• Ranger's House — on February 29 the house was completely destroyed by fire. The present house was relocated and rebuilt with funds from an insurance policy. At the time "Chip" Hastings, a fire chief for Kingston, New Hampshire, was Camp Ranger.

1965

• Water tank — located in Upper Algonquin, the tank holds 10,000 gallons of water which is fed throughout the camp by gravity. The tank was purchased with funds from the George Magee Fund.

1968

• Water line improvements — again improvements were made in the line to accommodate the addition of the new tank.
• Rifle range shelter — original shelter was funded by Stuart Wilson and the Greater Lawrence Auto Parts Dealers.
• A new Trading Post was erected thanks to a donation by Prescott. The camp now had a store.

1969

• Charette Memorial — built as a program pavilion, it was later closed in. Overhead doors were added along with siding to make the building adaptable for winter camping. The back wall of the building (facing Abnaki) covers a foundation for a fireplace that was proposed, but never constructed. Funded and built by Shingebis Lodge #490 for Albert Charette Sr., Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 14, Lawrence, Massachusetts. "Al" was an avid camper who had a severe heart condition; he died on a Sunday morning, at an OA Ordeal.
• Central Shower Facility -
• Lawrence, Andover, North Andover Cabins — built with funds from George Magee Fund for the senior staff.
• Methuen Cabin — built with funds from Durwood Farnsworth, Camping Chairman. Currently a senior staff cabin.
• Lower Shower Facility — built with funds from George Magee Fund.

1970

• Aquatics Tower — an addition the rear of the building added space for storage and equipment during and after the season, funded by the George Magee Fund. Back room currently houses the Jr. Aquatics Staff during the camping season.

1972

• Dining hall renovations — during the summer of 1971 fire struck the kitchen and the kitchen was renovated to its present size.

1973

• Takesian Building — originally built as a museum/camp office and staff lounge. Dedicated to Dick Takesian, Scoutmaster of Troop 15, First Calvary Baptist Church, Lawrence, MA. The constructions was funded by the Takesian family, First Calvary Church, and the Friends of Onway. Today the building is used as the camps main office and in the off season, a cozy winter cabin.

1974

• Junior Staff cabins #1, 2, & 3 - constructed to house the junior staff.
• Cabin #1 - funded by Friends of Onway
• Cabin #2 - funded by Allen B. Roger Foundation
• Cabin #3 - funded by Allen J. Ash Foundation

1984

• George Russell Chapel improvements — the A-frame structure was completed by the Greater Lawrence Council of Churches.

1986

• Baseball backstop — erected in memory of John W. Ramsden, Scoutmaster of Troop 9, Primitive Methodist Church. Funding provided by his family.

1988

• Swimming docks — floating docks were purchased through the George Magee Fund.
• Ingalls Amphitheatre — rededicated to "Jack" Ingalls.

1989

• Maintenance building additions — with the help of the shared Camping Committee, North Essex and North Bay Council, additions were completed.

1990

• Central shower facility renovations — through funding from the George Magee Fund, extensive renovations and improvements were made to the shower house.

1991-92

• Reinhold — Adirondack shelter constructed and dedicated to Reinhold (??)

1994

• Dining Hall renovations — the Friends of Onway contributed $70,000 to expand and renovate the dining hall to a first class dining facility. This project included lifting the building, in two sections, and constructing a foundation underneath, thus creating a basement. In addition, a new wing was added to the building, later dedicated to James B. Coffey. Finally, the fireplace was rebuilt with the original stones by Robert Mundry. A local article in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune referenced many more volunteers.
• Parking lot — also funded by the Friends of Onway, the parking lot allowed for less traffic on Onway's roads and created a more rustic appearance during the summer program.

2004

• Troop 60, Methuen, Massachusetts, donated the materials and labor to build a new archery range shelter

2005

• The Trading Post was remodeled to fit more shelf space and to create a more friendly atmosphere toward the customers.

2006

• A timber cut was held and as a result, a new parking lot facility was made to the right of the entrance. A sizable clearing was cut behind the berm at the rifle range to make room for a new shotgun range.