| Additional Information: | This one-story, side-gabled structure rises from a concrete block foundation and is faced with half-log sheathing. Oriented on an angle and parallel to the river, the westerly end of the building is dominated by a fieldstone and cut stone exterior chimney. The door is located along the northerly elevation, while one-over-one-light windows are located throughout the building. Signage, located west of the building is comprised of stone piers upon which a sign reads, “BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA/GOSSEN LUMPHREY LODGE.”
Built in 1944, this structure continues to serve the River Falls chapter of the Boy Scouts of America as their scout house. In April of 1944, the site was purchased by R.W. Freeman and Otto Kulstad. By that time, the group had a building fund of $800, which was largely the result of numerous paper drives held since the beginning of the year. When the campaign for the building began, it was most likely that construction of the structure would not commence until the end of World War II. However, an application for its construction was sent to the Works Progress Board, who allowed them to move ahead on the project. Construction was noted to take approximately six weeks. Although the exact date of its completion was not identified, laying of the cornerstone was held on 9 July, while a dedication and open house event occurred on 15 September 1944. The building was named after Eugene Gossen, who had directed the local boys scouts and organized paper drives and scrap metal collection for the war effort. Gossen was drafted, serving in the Air Force, and killed in August 1943. The Scouts were then taken over by Oliver Lumphrey, who was in charge when the building was completed. The Boy Scouts continue to own and utilize the facility. |
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| Bibliographic References: | “Boy Scouts Appeal to Public to Save Paper,” River Falls Journal, 20 September 1944, 1/6; “Scouts Acquire Building Site,” RFJ, 20 April 1944, 1/5-6; “Boy Scouts Get Green Light on New Scout House,” RFJ, 8 June 1944, 1/4; “Boy Scouts Will Dedicate House Sunday July 9th,” RFJ, 6 July 1944, 1/7; “Boy Scouts New Home Dedicated Sunday July 9th,” RFJ, 13 July 1944, 1/1; “Cash Donations May be Made for Scout House,” RFJ, 20 July 1944, 1/3; “Pierce County Scouts to Have Booth at Fair,” RFJ, 24 August 1944, 1/1; “To Dedicate Scout House Here Friday,” RFJ, 14 September 1944, 1/5-6; “Boy Scouts Held Big Dedication Party on Friday,” RFJ, 21 September 1944, 1/5; Dan Geister, “A Case for the Academy, Pt. 5,” 2011 blog, includes information regarding Gossen and Lumphrey. |
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