Black Eagle Lodge #482 History Webpage

Black Eagle Lodge was first chartered on September 25, 1952. Initially, the lodge did not have a name or a totem. In the fall of 1952, lodge founders to include Mr. Walter Buote and other members in the Heidelberg Area conducted elections in troops as far away as Giessen, West Germany. The home of the new lodge was to be located on a mountain ridge across from the famous Neueschwanstein castle built by King Ludwig. The camp was tucked amidst the forest, the lake, and the surrounding mountains. The camp afforded a spectacular and very private experience of nature. This area is famous for its many Castles and lakes located in the valleys between the hills. Alatsee was the lake nearest camp and site to many swimming activities.

That same fall, the first lodge Ordeal, Fellowship and Training Conference was held in the Tompkins Training Area in Schwetzingen, West Germany. In the spring of 1953, another combined Ordeal, Lodge Fellowship and Training Conference was held in central West Germany. At this event the first Lodge Chief, Hudson B. Phillips, Jr. was elected. A lodge totem and name was selected. At the time, the lodge was named the Bald Eagle Lodge apparently in deference to the U.S. national symbol. Some time later, it was renamed Black Eagle Lodge and the totem selected was the symbol of the former Federal Republic of Germany where the lodge was founded. On September 1, 1953, the lodge inducted its first Vigil members, Hudson B. Phillips Jr. and his brother John A. Phillips. By the end of 1953 there were 75 members of Black Eagle Lodge, 61 being Ordeal members.

In 1955, the lodge moved from its home in the Alps to a new home at Camp Freedom, Germany near the small town of Dauphte where it has remained for over 50 years. The initial lodge area served the civilian and military families on duty in Germany and Austria. By 1959, the service area was expanded to include other military facilities in Europe, the Near East and Northern Africa.

Sometime in 1964, Scout executive Bob Rushby, District Executive Manuel Blanco, Walter Buote, Luke Rogers and a few others got together and on Oct 1, 1964 the lodge was revived. Each District of the council would have a chapter and the lodge would now be active in all areas of the council.

The Lodge Conclave was held in Garmisch in 1965, followed by Augsburg in 1966. In the summer of 1967, Black Eagle Lodge had a conclave at Camp Mohawk in England. Over 200 arrowmen boarded the train to in Frankfurt, West Germany and began a journey that took them to Ostend, Belgium where they crossed the channel to England. This trip was of an extended nature as they spent time in London, continued on to Gilwell and finally to Camp Mohawk. Side trips to Stonehenge and Windsor Castle were also included.