An Incomplete History of Tahquitz Lodge # 127

by Tracy Schultze and Chris Manning

Like many Lodges throughout Southern California, the Order of the Arrow program grew out of the many summer camp Tribes that rose in popularity, like the Tribe of Gorgonio in Orange County and Tribe of Tahquitz from Long Beach Area Council.

The probable beginning for Riverside County Council's Tribe of Tahquitz was 1928, three years after Long Beach's program began. A 1929 Summer Camp brochure for Camp Emerson proclaims that the "Second Degree of the Tribe of Tahquitz will be given this year." Because C.J. Carlson worked for both Councils, it is obvious to understand there existed a great degree of networking that resulted in the creation of the two groups.

Through the leadership of Scout Executive Carl Helmick, the Order of the Arrow came into existence in 1938. At the July 10, 1938 Executive Board meeting, Helmick explained the program and asked for its adoption into the Riverside County Council. The motion was approved. The charter fee was $10.00. On July 30, 1938, a charter was issued for Tahquitz Lodge # 127. The first Lodge Chief was Charles Berry, who eventually served on a number of the Gemini missions for NASA.

Throughout the 1940s, the Order of the Arrow reported having annual meetings. The first Vigil Honor induction was held in 1947, inducting John Herring (1944 Eagle Scout) as the Lodge's first Vigil Honor member. The following year, Kirby Hester (1944 Eagle Scout) received his Vigil Honor. There would not be another Vigil Honor induction for 5 more years, when Lewis Barksdale received the honor.

There were two Area 12-A Conferences held at Camp Emerson, hosted by Tahquitz Lodge in 1955 and 1960. The O.A. would not have another Conference/Conclave at the camp for 43 years.

In 1964, Lodge Chief Ron Richmond started a system of bones and beads that took off in popularity, a tradition still evident in our members today. Ordeal members wore one bone, Brotherhood members wore two, and Vigil Honor members wore three in the form of a triangle.

Carl Helmick repeatedly remarked about the success of the Order of the Arrow in numerous meeting minutes from the 1950s and 1960s. In his 1957 report, he said that "The Order of the Arrow men and many others contributed much to the improvement of Camp Emerson during the year."

In the 1960s, the Lodge held many successful Father and Son Banquets that were attended by as many as 280 people. In 1964, the Order of the Arrow led by Chief John La Rocca and Adviser Bob White helped install new seating in Bear Trap Bowl. In 1967, Tahquitz donated one canoe for the newly completed Camp Emerson lake.

As the Lodge's time was shortly coming to a close with the 1973 merger with Wisumahi Lodge # 478, the O.A. program in Riverside County Council was as strong as ever. The Tlinget Dancers were a huge hit both at summer camp and at the Lodge Banquets. The Lodge Newsletter, the Tahquitz Talk, was one of the best produced periodicals anywhere and continued through the merger until it was renamed the Call of the Cahuilla in 1974.

The Council was one of the first to put the Lodge Chief on the Council Executive Board (June 9, 1971). Terry Tyson was probably the first Chief to serve in that capacity. Arrowmen Mike Goldware and Frank Sydow served on several National Order of the Arrow Conference staffs. Mike was an assistant to the director on the operational staff, and Frank actually drove E. Urner Goodman's golf cart! Tahquitz Lodge also earned the first two Lodge Excellence Awards in the 12-A Conference in 1971 and 1972.

Alas, the only persistent thing in life is change, and it would come time for the Lodge to complete its merger with Wisumahi. Jon Nelson was the last Lodge Chief and also served as a Co-Lodge Chief for the new organization. In May of 1972, Carl Helmick retired after serving 35 years as the Scout Executive of Riverside County Council. One of his key accomplishments as an Executive was the fostering of advanced leadership opportunities for the Council's youth through the Order of the Arrow program.

While the merger was not easy, Tahquitz Lodge left a positive impression on the new organization. Even today, we owe our number to the Lodge's founding in 1938 and the Lodge totem, the Tahquitz Rock, is still the most famous landmark at Camp Emerson. Today, over 30 years later, the spirit of Tahquitz Lodge lives on.