The Assembly Hall is built.
The Assembly Hall is constructed in 1923. The interior of the building is composed of one large room. It is the largest meeting space on campus. The most prominent feature is the fireplace which is made of rough-cut stone. In the center of the chimney is (likely) a section of the original mill burr used to grind grain in Jackson’s Mill. For the first couple decades of camping at Jackson’s Mill, there was a custom of carving special names, dates and symbols onto stones in the fireplace. Many of these carvings remain today. During World War II, the camp was utilized by Naval air cadets. From 1942-1943 during the time that the cadets were at camp, the building was lengthened by twenty-four feet to accommodate the cadets who were being trained on the property and using the building for calisthenics and indoor recreation. In the late 1960s, sections of the front porch were enclosed which allowed for the construction of indoor bathrooms. In 1997, further renovation were done to bring the building up to ADA accessibility standards.
Upshur Cottage is built.
Upshur Cottage is a stone cottage dedicated in October 1923. It was said to be as solid as the 4-H ideals themselves. A marble tablet in the chimney shows the communities that gave to the cottage fund; all county communities are represented. Stones were sold for 10 cents each to help fund this cottage, a variation of the “cottage” style popular in the 1920s. The interior of the building is divided into various size dormitory rooms. It has been remodeled and modernized several times.
Webster Cottage is built.
The original Webster Cottage which was representative of the pioneer spirit of the country, was built in a grove of pine trees. It was built partly through donations and through the popularity contest in which $1,100 was raised, with each vote costing one cent. The spruce logs used in the building were donated by the Cherry River Boom and Lumber Company of Webster County. A special train brought 600-plue people to participate in the dedication in October 1923. Expanded in 1935 and modernized several times, this cottage is divided into various size sleeping dormitories. A private room is located off a side porch.