Circle B Scout ranch. 50's-70's

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Former Old Baldy Council (Ontario, CA)scout camp in the mountains.
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Coordinates:   35°58'34"N   118°8'7"W

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  • Summer camp here 68-71. Buckskin 69, staff 71, 72. OA ceremonies here too.
  • Manthe memories. Snow in June.
  • I was there in 1968 and 1969. Best time ever. I'd love to try and find the area again.
  • I was also here same period as lippoe, except left area for college in '70. Buckskin, OA, summer camps. I am not sure I was Buckskin '68. Remember Kahuna? I was sort of singled-out for my "long" hair. Looks small on the map but there were stables, rifle and archery ranges, 3-4 camps for different troops--all spread out.Hikes were great. I don't know about other Old Baldy troops but ours stressed camping and hiking. BIG influence on my life. Looks like there was a fire?
  • There were a couple of forest fires covering large areas 2000 and 2002.
  • Kahuna was one of the dads in my troop (102 in Pomona). My dad kept up with him til he died a few years ago. Remember Bubbles and Spike?
  • Sorry, don't remember them. My wife and I are planning to explore the Dome Land area soon.
  • We had a wonderful time here with troop 512, Fontana. We loved hiking the back country and climbing the Domes. This brings back such great memories that I wouldn't trade for anything. I'd love to go back in a time machine for awhile and spend another week there.
  • I came to camp here for three summers back in the 70's. We packed to the Domelands, rode the horses 50 miles down from their winter quarters, served on camp crew setting up tents, etc; The "Little Green Box" (store), nice downpours, and extremely cold water in the "lake"... all these things had a huge impact on me, and I'll hold memories of this place forever. Thirty years later I was lucky enough to spend a summer as camp ranger at Old Baldy's Holcomb Valley Ranch. Too bad they lost that too...
  • I was here the week of July 20, 1969. I remember being disappointed at not being able to see the Apollo 11 landing on TV but the view that we had of the Moon more than made up for it. The hike (overnite) to the Domelands and swimming in the Kern river(?) stand out in my memory of a great week at this camp.
  • Also, Holcomb Valley is just fine. I picked up my son from his first week of resident camp there last Saturday.
  • Been there many times in during the 70's. Three things I remember most: 1: A beaver dam 2: Python snake by the river, about 10 feet long. 3: The best black walnut tree. Took about ten lbs of walnuts
  • Lippoe, you and I must know each other. My older brother and I were in Troop 102 about the same time you were, and I remember Circle B (summer camp, Buckskin, OA, one 50 miler) well. I even vaguely remember Bubbles though not Spike. Sorry to hear about Kahuna (Joe Price). He dedicated his life to scouts and he had an enormous influence on many boys growing up.
  • briscoe, you'd remember my dad's cigars in the white Suburban driving to campouts. As far as I know Troop 102 is still chartered at the church.
  • I went there every summer, 1956 - 58. In '58 I was a counselor, ran the nature trail. In '57 the 4 Explorers took a 50 mile hike. Great memories!
  • My brothers and I went to Circle B every summer from 1964 to 1974. We belonged to Troop 405 in Claremont. Dad was Scoutmaster for years. Older brother and I both worked on Staff at Circle B. Think it was 1972 for me. Loved it, great memories of hiking to the back country, crossing streams, camping out overnight. Favorite were all the great campfires. My dad would come out in the end in Indian Headwear to close the ceremony. Still have all my badges, scarfs, t shirts from Circle B.
  • I went twice in the summer of 1964 when I was with Troop 603 in Upland. The first week was the Buckskin Conference and then after a week home our troop went for the week. I too still have the memorabilia from the camp. In 1966 I went to Camp Billy Rice in Idaho where I was on the staff.
  • I took my Heathkit shortwave radio to camp that week and brought it into one of the buildings with power, set up a long wire antenna outside, and listened to the landing over shortwave that day. What a day to remember!
  • Plenty of memories at Circle B. I got Tapped Out for OA, then later attended Buckskin. My dad went up several times a year to help set-up and break camp, in his white '62 Plymouth wagon. Later he drove back n forth to Holcomb Valley. Still have all uniforms, badges, my Staff, and a H U G E mug collection. Still in contact with my first Scout Master, Larry Ahrens, now residing in Flagstaff, AZ. Tim Tinsley, Troop 107 PS - now that I have the Lat/Long, perhaps I can figure out how to drive there after 40 years.....LoL
  • I was lucky enough to spend a few weeks at circle b. My dad, scout master of 407 took us there even after it closed, our troop had the whole place to ourselves. The senior patrol would go up a week or two in advance to get things set up. I'll have to dig out the photos, many of which predate my visits. My older brothers also had the opportunity to visit.
  • Another veteran of Circle B, several years with my troop (332? in Ontario), Buckskin, Buckskin staff, and I served as one of three staff members the last year they had the place open (a week in Circle B, and several weeks in newly opened Holcomb Valley). Tim Tinsley, weren't you on the last staff at B too?
  • Were on the last staff at Circle B, there were just three of us and only one or two troops, maybe 1973 or 74?
  • Ok, I knew ferrel & Larry Briar, your dad was cliff, were you older or younger than Larry?
  • I spent six weeks at Circle B in 1959 as the staff radio operator. Interesting experience since I had no serious Scouting background. I never really fit in and I should have just maintained a hybrid existence.
  • Circle B was a wonderful experience! Camp Staff member 1966, 67, & 70. Walt Pearson was our Camp Director and still attends staff reunions organized by Bill Woodward every December 24th. Met and learned from so many great Scouts like Craig Reide, Bob Lindboe, Mitch Prues, Rollin Swan, and many more. Always managed to sneak up there every summer after 1970 with my son until it closed. Great place and great memories. Jim Hansen/Chino
  • I just stumbled upon the conversation while trying to i.d. an old rattlesnake skin I brought down from Circle B in 1966. Thanks Jim for reminding me of the great role models you listed above. I camped there or was on staff from '61 to '66. P.S. I brought the snake down alive in a mason jar in the glove box of a GMC truck with one of our scoutmasters. It was to be a science fair project. Crazy!
  • I also spent a summer there as a radio operator.
  • I want there many times with my dad david strona
  • Hi Rick, our HAM radio operator was Jim Miller, back in the early '60's, WA6-ZAA if I remember correctly. His dad was our Scoutmaster from '60 to '66, Bob Miller. Tons of memories of the place, the people, the OA ceremonies by fire light and mile swims in the frigid lake.
  • Yes the lake WAS frigid. I remember that !!
  • I spent six weeks during the summer of 1959 as the staff radio operator for Circle B. I really was not involved in Scouting but Gene Silvey, W6COZ, was the coordinator of the radio operator assignments and dragged me in kicking and screaming when someone else cancelled. I had a week's notice. Back then, we had a Viking II and a Hammarlund receiver. Operating was AM and CW. It was quite an experience. Ron Angle, Chico CA (formerly of Claremont CA)
  • Dennis, I posted a picture taken at circle B on face book, Troop 407. It's on the group you know your from claremont
  • I can't get the circle B song out of my head.
  • Does anybody know who owns the camp now?
  • Wow, such great memories. I went to Circle B with Troop 104 in '65, '66 and '67, then joined the waterfront staff for two years, headed by Dan Maxwell, with Tom Miller and Jeff Bond. I taught fishing. I'd like to remember the guy that was the head of the staff. I remember Jim Mokrie and Sparky who ran the radio but can't remember the guys name who was the head of the staff. He used to wear his scout uniform with a kilt. He was a great guy. Thanks for the memories. Chris HN
  • Hey, Jerry, we were probably there at the same time. I wonder how many other Damien guys we know went there. There were the guys in my troop, Rich Farrell and Roger Recupero and others
  • I was there in 1966. Troop 303 out of Ontario. Just seeing my Circle B coffee mug in the kitchen caused me to look this up. Sure wish there were pictures on here.
  • Brian troop 326 Montclair I was at circle B on July, 20 1969. We tried to watch the first moon landing with a telescope, but could not see anything.
  • I have fond memories going there with Troop 305 in 1966.
  • Would any of like to see pictures of what looks like now?
  • If anyone sees my posts please let know. I have the property now, and its such an amazing land. And I really would like to know all the history. A lot of the items and structures are still there. I have been told stories, I would really like to hear from someone who has actually been there when the camp was running
  • I was there in the early 70's. Troop 303 out of Ontario. I can remember it like it was yesterday the mess hall, the trading post, the lake, the shooting range, the platform bunks with the canvas tarps, wish I could turn the clock back.
  • And there was a chapel spot there right? The Jesus statue is still there and standing
  • probably so. I dont remember all of it. They had a couple of I think military surplus generators they would rotate one on one off during the daylight hours for electrical power. there was a building they used for the meetings for the camp staff. Do you live on the property?
  • I don’t live on the property but it’s in the family, I’ve been going up there for years! The main cabin was a cabin reused from the camp which I believe was the administration office
  • Hi Cole, I ran across this thread on a random search prompted by an old memory. Back in the late 70's a man who sold cutting oils and solvents for me was going up there with guys that were restoring the property and some buildings on weekends. I think he met them while selling our products in the San Fernando Valley. His name was Bob Esser, and he is now long gone. I wonder if you met Bob; he was memorable in that he never stopped talking! Have a great New Year.
  • Hikinjack, Cole, I was on the camp staff 1965, '66, 68, and the Program Director of the camp staff 1970, '71 and 72. I might be able to answer some of your questions regarding the camp during that time period. I think I still have a Circle B Backcountry trail map that showed our back county trail (camp) system. I also have some pictures of the camp and camp staff from that period. I was quite involved with the Old Baldy Council and the Navajo Lodge of the OA in those days as well. Let me know if you are interested.
  • Mike - unfortunately no I havnt met Bob, I started going up to the camp around 2010 or so. He sounds like a cool guy to meet.
  • Hikinjack that is awesome, I am defiantly interested!
  • Hikinjack, that’s my email, I very much look forward to hearing from you and learning more about the history of this amazing land. And for anyone else who reads this and is interested about knowing and seeing pictures of it now please feel free to message me
  • Hikinjack, apparently this website deletes any kind of email we post. Luckily I saw your comment with your email before the website took it down!
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This article was last modified 10 years ago