CAMP TSATANUGI
1925-1950
The council purchased a ninety-two or ninety-three acre tract near Cave Spring in Middle Valley on North Chickamauga Creek (now Hixson). The Boy
Scouts named their new camp "Tsatanugi," using the same Cherokee word meaning "rock which comes to a point" from which historians believe Chattanooga’s name was derived. The name is preserved to this present day in Tsatanuga Road which leads to the old camp.
Eventually, over 30 buildings were constructed at Camp Tsatanugi. The three major buildings were Patten Hall, built in memory of John A. Patten; Rotary Hall, built by the Chattanooga Rotary Club; and the headquarters building, built by Hamilton County. The John A. Patten Dining Hall bears an engraved stone set in the center above the hearth memorablising John Patten, which can still be seen to this day. Most of the cabins were constructed by sponsors of various troops.
The Chattanooga Area Council (known by this name from 1925 to 1944) operated Camp Tsatanugi as a summer camp from 1925 to 1950, with the exception of 1945, when the council operated Camp Tso-Le-Tsu-Ke.
There are three patches known to exist, all with the same design: one with a blue background, one with a gray background, and one saying "STAFF". These are all felt patches. A 1946 newspaper article reports that every Scout in camp during the first week of 1946 earned "a camp emblem" by advancing one rank in Scouting or, if a first-class Scout, by earning at least three merit badges. This "camp emblem" may have been the felt patch.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Camp Tsatanugi also offered a "camp emblem" which could be paired with "loyalty wings" and stars. Early documents and photographs from 1927-1931 indicate that a camp emblem was issued to Scouts who excelled at camping and advancement. The emblem was the letter "C" circumscribing the letter "T". No known examples exist, although several photographs of the emblem exist.
The property was sold in 1968 to the Highland Sportsman Club (located at 1028 Tsatanuga Trail), which it still remains to this day.
PHOTOS FROM CAMP TSATANUGI
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1938
1946
1948
Undated
Location
Sources
Camp Emblem
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1926-03-18 - Campers Club - Tsatanugi Camp Emblem Mention
1926-03-27 - Meeting of Campers Club - Camp Emblems
1926-03-31 - Camp Emblem
1926-12-18 - AR Keith Awarded Camp Emblem with Loyalty Wings
1927-07-10 - Boy Scouts at Camp Tsatanugi - Camp Emblem Points
1928-07-08 - Camp Tsatanugi - Camp Emblem Awarded
1928-08-05 - Camp Tsatanugi Camp Emblem and Loyalty Wings
1928-08-13 - Mystery Camp Emblem
1929-03-10 - Star Scout Going to Peru - William Spears Loyalty Wings
1929-07-29 - Camp Emblem Award Winners
1930-07-21 - Ducktown Scouts Spend Week at Camp Tsatanugi - Camp Emblem Winners
1933-01-01 - Harmon Smith Loyalty Wings
1933-08-06 - Win Scout Camp Emblems
1940-10-01 - Rossville Ga Camp Emblem Winners
1946-06-26 - Tsatanugi Scout Camp Has Capacity Crowds - Camp Emblem
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1926
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April 23, 1926 - The University Echo (reporting that fraternity Phi Beta Gamma had a houseparty at Camp Tsatanugi over Easter, including a program in front of the large open fireplace in Patten Hall)
June 25, 1926 - Shelbyville Scouts attend Camp Tstanugi
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1927
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1927-06-26 - Boy Scout Camp Will Open Monday
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1928
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April 20, 1928 - The University Echo (reporting that fraternity member Brother Crane spent Easter at Camp Tsatanugi where he looked after his little Boy Scouts) - possible reference to Norton Crane
1928-06-15 - Younger Boys Going to Camp Tsatanugi
1928-06-16 - Scouts to Learn How to Pioneer
1928-07-08 - Boy Scout Activities - Camp Tsatanugi
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1929
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March 15, 1929 - The University Echo (reporting that fraternity brothers Farmer, Diffendorfer, and Magill (probably Hugh Magill) "camped at the Boy Scout camp near Hixon Saturday and Sunday)
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1930
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According to Polk County News, in 1930 "Ducktown Scout Troop 14 spend a week at Camp Tsatanugi in Chattanooga. Loyalty wings were awarded to James Howell, Eugene Lanning, Leona Swanson and Eben Stephenson."
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1932
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In 1932, the council did not hold a regular camp, yet on average 30 boys were in some camp each night of the summer. Troops and districts held their camps separately.
1932-08-30 - Scouts Ask Chest to Pay Insurance
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1933
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August 2, 1933 Tsatanugi Trail Camp Newsletter
August 6, 1933 Tsatanugi Trail Camp Newsletter
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1934
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1934-07-29 - Scouts and Leaders in Charge of Camp
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1935
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1936
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In 1936, Camp Tsatanugi was leased to the N.Y.A for 6 months as a SHE, SHE, SHE camp. In return for the use of the property the government agreed to improve certain buildings on the property.
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1937
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1937 Camp Tsatanugi Fact Sheet
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1941
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1941-05-25 - Boy Scout Camps Will Open Next Month at Tsatanugi and Rolling Stone
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1944
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1944-05-04 - Signal Property To Be Scout Camp
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1945
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1945 Final Report of Charles Peacock
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1946
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1946-05-30 - Staff for Scout Camp Announced by Hubbuch (William Hubbuch, Frank Hinnant, Luther McEwen, Dan Keller, Byron White, Jack Cassel, Johnny Morgan, Pat Rungee, J.L. Roberts, Jim Abshire, Walter Frierson)
June 26, 1946 Article about Camp Tsatanugi - Plenty of Meat in Scout Camp, Editor Learns
1946-06-26 - Tsatanugi Scout Camp Has Capacity Crowds (Byron White, Frank Hinnant)
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1947
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Scout Camp Planned 31st
Tsatanugi Scout Camp Opens June 15
After the Hike is Over
A Bulls-Eye
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1950
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1950-04-23 - Cherokee Is Chosen as Scout Camp Name
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1960s
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1960s - Improvement of Camp Tsatanugi
Electrical Blueprints for Patten Hall
Cover Letter for Electrical Blueprints
Bill of Material - Wiring for Patten Hall
Map to Camp Tsatanugi
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1966
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March 1966 Report on Council Properties
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2006
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