Pre-Onteora Postcards



 
I was excited when I found this postcard on eBay as it's the earliest photo I have so far of Onteora. "Titled A-929. Orchard Lake, Grooville, N.Y.", it was postmarked in 1908 in DeBruce, NY.

Click on the card for a larger view. You can also click here for a view of the rear side of the card, or here for a rotated view of the rear so you can read the message.

Taken from the dam area towards the parade grounds, the card features what we came to know as the Tuttle House, the barn, and the Manor House. It looks like all of them were white back in 1908; the colors varied during the Onteora years. Sadly all three of these structures are no longer there.



 

Here's another early card. This 1916 view is looking in the opposite direction from the 1908 card, taken from the Manor House towards the lake. The view hasn't changed much in almost 100 years!

Click on the card for a larger view. You can also click here for a view of the rear side of the card, or here for a rotated view of the rear so you can read the message.



 

The next card is from 1917. The title is "The Falls, Orchard Lake, N.Y." I'm assuming this is what we know today as Wildcat Falls.

Click on the card for a larger view. You can also click here for a view of the rear side of the card, or here for a rotated view of the rear so you can read the message.

 

  



 

I also found a picture of the Manor House when it was being used as the Club House for the Orchard Lake Fishing Club. The year is unknown. Click on the picture for a larger view.


Onteora Scout Reservation
Postcards - 1950s-1960s

There have been a surprisingly large number of postcards of Onteora issued over the years. Most of the photos were taken by Gerry Moran, a noted photographer who did quite a bit of work for "Boy's Life" magazine and the national organization.

The cards are listed here in order of their publisher stock number.
 

"Canoeing" at Onteora Scout Reservation, Nassau County Council, Boy Scouts of America, Livingston Manor, New York. One of the many supervised sports activities offered to Scouts camping on the 2400 acres of woodland and lake.

Dexter Press card #10752-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
Circa 1959

Onteora Scout Reservation of the Nassau County County Boy Scouts of America at Livingston Manor, New York. 2400 acres of lake and woodland provide wonderful opportunities for pioneering skills and waterfront sports.

Dexter Press card #10753-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
Circa 1959

"Flag Raising" at beautiful Onteora Scout Reservation of the Nassau County Council Boy Scouts of America at Livingston Manor, New York. Scouts are trained in citizenship and leadership.

Dexter Press card #10754-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
Circa 1959

The Onteora Scout Reservation offers a complete aquatic program of boating and canoeing as well as instructions for the non-swimmer through advanced instruction for Swimming and Life-Saving Merit Badges.

Dexter Press card #22050-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
Circa 1959

The Explorer Base Camp at Onteora is operated independently of the Boy Scout Camp, but utilizes the vast wilderness areas to provide a setting for real Explorer Adventure. The Monkey Bridge provides practice in Pioneering for the Explorers, and also a bridge to cross the stream at the base.

Dexter Press card #22051-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
Circa 1959

Explorer Scouts enjoy the thrill of Horseback riding over the trails of Onteora. Fifty miles of riding trails take the riders to the most beautiful spots in Onteora.

Dexter Press card #22052-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
Circa 1959

(It is truly amazing to see how heavily wooded this same area is today. The hiking shelter on the left has long vanished, but the stonework for the entrance sign is still there and in use.)

Dining Halls at Camp Wauwepex and Onteora Scout Reservation serve over 6000 meals each day. Meals are prepared by professional chefs in modern well equipped kitchens. All meals are served family style with a scout at each table serving as host. Both camps are under the direction of Nassau County Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Dexter Press card #22866-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
Circa 1959

(This card of the dining hall was for use at both Onteora and Wauwepex. It's believed that this picture was actually taken at Wauwepex.)

Onteora Scout Reservation, Livingston Manor, N.Y., provides all phases of the Aquatic program under the safe operational procedures of the Nassau County Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Dexter Press card #25273-C
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

Onteora Scout Reservation, located at Livingston Manor, N.Y. Owned and operated by the Nassau County Council, Boy Scouts of America and offering 2400 acres of the finest Scout Camping areas.

Dexter Press card #25275-C
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

(That's Jim Van Tassell in the blue costume, Bob Voorneveld in white)

The finest of food, prepared by experts in an excellent, well equipped kitchen, is a highlight at Onteora Boy Scout Camp, Livingston Manor, NY.

Dexter Press card #34121-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

(Long-time chef Jimmy Hamond is in the middle of the group on the left. This is probably the Long House in the early 1960s.)

Two popular program activities at Onteora Boy Scout Reservation, Livingston Manor, New York; Indian ceremonials and Horseback riding help to remind the campers of our early American traditions.

Dexter Press card #34122-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

(This is the bridge leading to the Catholic Chapel.)
Alder Lake offers unlimited opportunity for wilderness hiking and camping for the Scouts at The Onteora Scout Reservation, Livingston Manor, N.Y.

Dexter Press card #46292-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
Onteora, "The Land in the Sky", teaches & promotes many of the traditions of the American Indian. Especially popular is the Archery program at the Onteora Scout Reservation, Livingston Manor, N.Y.

Dexter Press card #46294-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

(Probably taken in the field near the Long House)

"Chuck Wagon" delivery provides "Heater Stack" food service to the campsite at Onteora Scout Reservation, Livingston Manor, N.Y.

Dexter Press card 46296-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

(Two staff members unload heater stacks at Hiawatha campsite for Troop 265 of Freeport in 1960. The blonde staff member is Frank Dame.)
Scout Camping at the Onteora Scout Reservation, Livingston Manor, N.Y. develops the finest Patrol operation.

Dexter Press card #51827-C
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

(Larry Brussell has identified this as being the Ute campsite, with his brother Stephen on the lower right. Steve Shull thinks this might be 1965.)
Onteora, "The Land in the Sky", perpetuates the customs and traditions of the Delaware Indians in this beautiful Catskill Mountain camp of the Nassau County Council, Boy Scouts of America, at Livingston Manor, NewYork.

Dexter Press card #60137-B
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

(That's Tom Haldeman, with Orchard Lake in the distance.)
Two covered bridges to hike to are in the area of Nassau County Council BSA Onteora Scout Reservation at Livingston Manor, N.Y.

Dexter Press card #65001-C
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
In the deep woods, by the running water, Indians as portrayed by the Order of the Arrow can be found at Nassau County Council BSA Onteora Scout Reservation, Livingston Manor, N.Y.

Dexter Press Card #65002-C
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

WANTED

(That's Don Heiberg at Wildcat Falls.
It's believed that the picture was taken in May or June, 1968.)
Scoutcraft, including hiking and mapping, are found at Nassau County Council BSA Onteora Scout Reservation at Livingston Manor, N.Y.

Dexter Press card #65003-C
Photo by F. Gerard Moran
Indian lore and Scout lore is part of Nassau County Council BSA Onteora Scout Reservation at Livingston Manor, N.Y.

Dexter Press card #65004-C
Photo by F. Gerard Moran

(That's Jim Van Tassell on the left and Bob Brown on the right.)

 


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