Herbert Hoover was just inaugurated as President of the United States; the first commercial radio broadcast was still two months away; the Great Depression and Black Tuesday were in the future; the mayor of Chicago was Republican; Evanston had finally topped 40,000 residents; and Ridgeville area residents were sending their children to the new Central School at Main Street and Elmwood Avenue--Oakton School, promised for over 25 years, has still not been finished in time for the 1928-1929 school year. That was the setting 78 years ago, when on February 14, 1929, Troop 16 was organized.

Evanston's 16th Troop was first organized in 1922 by parishioners on Emmanuel Methodist Episcopal Church at Oak and Greenwood, but only a small handful of Scouts joined. Rival Troop 13, located at St. Mary's School, just one-half block east, was larger and more active. In May, 1928, Troop 16 met for the final time, its Scouts never joining another Troop.

Citizens in South Evanston saw the need to bring the Scout program to their boys and by way of the Pilgrim Church (now Oakton Community Church), located at 705 Ridge Avenue, the number "16" was reassigned and the modern-day Troop 16 was underway. The Evanston Wildcat Council of the Boy Scouts of America granted our first charter once the Troop signed up its first 8 Scouts and Committee. The Scouts met at the Church building (the building was later the parsonage and is now a private residence) on Ridge Avenue for the first two years. When Oakton School was finished and open for classes in 1931, Troop 16 moved its meeting location to the new building's auditorium. Meetings were held on Friday nights and the new Troop quickly grew from 22 to 42 boys. While sponsorship of the Troop has changed thirteen times, the Troop has never moved from Oakton School. The Troop has been meeting on Tuesdays since March, 1954.

The Troop has fluctuated greatly in size over the past six plus decades. The largest was in 1955 when there were 82 Scouts and 17 adults signed up. Coincidently, that's just about 12 years after the first soldiers returned from World War II. The Troop topped out at 76 Scouts in 1975 and operated with eight patrols plus the Senior Patrol. The Troop dwindled to 7 Scouts in 1984. In general, the Troop has averaged 35 Scouts.

Troop 16 was nationally recognized in 1974 as the Best in America and was chosen as the model Troop for a National Scout Leader training film. The Troop is often the subject of photo essays which appear in the Evanston Review and the Chicago Tribune.

Where have all the alumni gone? Generally, Troop 16 has no famous offspring. That was never our Troop's purpose. However, most grew up to become leaders in their community or in business. We count amongst our alumni school board members, park district members, city council members, mayors, company managers, and yes, leaders of other Boy Scout Troops. Our members are spread over every continent.

Troop 16 is not an institution. Rather, it is a collection of boyhood memories of people, places, and activities. Troop 16 is an experience of fond, pleasant things. It is a living, breathing organization which has been bringing boys and their parents together from many different backgrounds.

A special note of thanks to all the adults who over the past 75 years have helped teach our children what is right and honest and what it takes to be a leaders. Troop 16 is a special feeling that we all hope never fades away.

Troop 16's Scoutmasters