Boy Scout Troop No. 17
Claude, Armstrong County, Texas
Marker Inscription
One of the oldest Scout troops west of the Mississippi River, this group was organized in May 1912 by pioneer physician Dr. W. A. Warner (1864-1934). The first troop of about 30 boys met in a room above Dr. Warner's drugstore and office. Because of his foresight, many of Claude's civic leaders were influenced in their youth by ideals of scouting. Dr. Warner served as the first scoutmaster, followed by John W. McClure, Bert C. Wooldridge, Cecil Waggoner, and J.L. McFarland. Troop No. 17, also called the "Lone Star Pioneers," is governed by the Scouts through their Junior Council. (1975)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In May 1912, only two years after the Boy Scouts of America was founded, the frontier town of Claude organized Troop No. 17—one of the oldest Scout troops west of the Mississippi. Pioneer physician Dr. W. A. Warner gathered about thirty boys in a room above his drugstore and served as their first scoutmaster, launching a program that shaped generations of the town's civic leaders. Nicknamed the "Lone Star Pioneers," the troop passed through a line of dedicated scoutmasters over the decades.
Why it matters
The troop captures how quickly the young Scouting movement reached even the remote Texas Panhandle, planting ideals of citizenship and leadership in small-town America.
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Related people
- · W. A. Warner
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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