Troop 401’s Scout Hut Turns 50 Years Old

 By Henry N. Fairley IV

Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 401

When one thinks of Scouting in Rowan County, many troops come to mind. In Salisbury three troops have Scout buildings close to the church that sponsors them. Troop 448, which is 75 years old, has the Jack Kepley building, Troop 401, which is 65 years old, has a Scout Hut behind Sacred Heart Catholic church and Troop 403, which is 40 years old, has a Scout Hut behind Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Troop 401’s Scout Hut is as unique as the troop. The story begins in 1958; the newly formed troop 401 is two years old and is in need of a scout hut to meet in. Robert Martin met with Father Helfrich to get permission to start a fundraiser to construct a Scout Hut. Martin met with Charlotte Taylor and Carroll Fisher, who both agreed to donate building materials once enough money was raised. Charlotte Taylor agreed to donate the bricks to build the Scout Hut and Carol Fisher agreed to put on the original roof. Also helping us with this project was Robert Jordan, Dr. Jim Norris, Mary Frances Rouche. The fundraiser lasted for three years and in 1960 our Scout Hut was completed. Soon it became an institution in Salisbury and a landmark. The Scout Hut was built directly behind Sacred Heart Catholic Church and anyone going down West Council Street can see it from the street. Our Troop just happens to be the only Catholic one in Salisbury and is sponsored by the only Catholic Church in Salisbury.

Troop 401 is one of two Catholic Troops in the entire Central NC Council. As the years went by our Troop was associated with the Scout Hut and we became a legacy in Salisbury much like Troop 448 lead by Jack Kepley and his Thunderbirds. Ten years would go by before we had to repair the Scout Hut. The year was 1970 and the Scout Hut needed a new roof. By this time Joe Palumbo was Scoutmaster and he lead a fundraiser to replace the roof. After a four-month campaign, enough money was raised and Carol Fisher agreed to put on a new roof. Once again the Scout Hut was a beautiful building. Ten more years would go by before we had to repair the Scout Hut again. The year was 1980 and the Scout Hut needed a new roof. By this time James K. Denaux was Scoutmaster and he led a fundraiser to replace the roof. After a six-month campaign, enough money was raised and they put on a new roof. It became apparent that the outside of the building needed some attention. So in 1982, the same year the 1,000,000th Eagle Scout is registered in America, James K. Denaux and the Troop led a service project to repaint the Scout Hut. The color chosen was gray and the Troop painted the building in one day. This paint job would last for another sixteen years. Then a few more years would go by and the Scout Hut would need a new roof. The year was 1990 and the Scout Hut needed a new roof. By this time Raymond Rafferty was Scoutmaster and he lead a fundraiser to replace the roof. After a six-month campaign, enough money was raised and they put on a new roof.

Once again the Scout Hut was restored to its natural beauty and continued its enduring legacy. Six years later it was apparent, the Scout Hut needed to be painted again. As a service project, on 10/26/96, the Troop painted the Scout Hut, which is the same color it is today and the following scouts helped: Nick Alexander, Chris Applewhite, Jimmy Blankenship, John Dandison, Jay Dooley, Ryan Hall, Stephen King, Andrew McCoy, Will Meng, Steven Meseroll, Tony Sangi, Matthew Smith, Nathan Sutton, Ryan Thomson, Richard King, and Tim Smith. The Troop completed this project in one day and the building would not need repainting until 2007.

By this time the Scout Hut needed a new roof, a paint job, and gutters. The Troop met the challenge head on. It was last year and the leaders were Tim Smith Scoutmaster, Henry Fairley IV Assistant Scoutmaster, Glenn Stebe Assistant Scoutmaster and James K. Denaux Assistant Scoutmaster. The Troop lead a series of fundraisers to replace the roof, the gutters, and to repaint the Scout Hut. The Troop dubbed the project Extreme Makeover of the Scout Hut Fundraiser. The Project would take many months to complete and the following individuals helped: Justin Brophy, Evelyn Brophy, Steven Burges, Nick Cornacchione, Henry Fairley, Linda Fairley, Lee Fisher, Matt Gannon, Blake Gillian, Kyle Hartley, Stephan Hartley, Josh Lasker, Justin Lasker, John Lasker, Eric Lawlor, Dylan Maher, Jody McManus, Anthony Rakowski, Joe Rapp, Glenn Stebe, Kurt Stebe, Tim Smith, Albert Thayil, Josh Young. Once we were finished the Scout Hut looked as nice as it did when it was originally built in 1960. Altogether the Troop had spent 249 hours repairing and repainting the Scout Hut. As a result of all that hard work, Troop 401’s Scout Hut stands as a testament to its enduring legacy and part of its 65-year history in Salisbury.