Photo By Michael Maddox | Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, adjutant general of Indiana, shares thoughts on the...... read more read more
CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER – After 37 years, Foxfire Lodge is nearing the end of its service to Camp Atterbury and the soldiers and civilians who have enjoyed spending time there over the years.
A ceremony was held as a “send off” for the lodge June 10, as the building is scheduled to be replaced with a new shelter house with two RV sites for personal campers. Stories filled the lodge as those who have used it in the past gathered to celebrate the good times they’ve had there.
The ceremony was attended by many who have special memories of the lodge. One of those in attendance was Richard King III, the grandson of former Post Commander Col. Richard R. King, who is credited with making Foxfire Lodge a reality.
“I used to come to the wild game dinners as much as I could, and when I was in Boy Scouts we brought the troop out a couple of times. I remember going fishing with my dad out here quite a bit,” said King. “But all good things must come to an end, and there have been lots of good times had out here.”
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, adjutant general of Indiana, spoke fondly of the lodge.
“Many of you who work here, this has been a place where you’ve treasured so much. We’ve had so many events out here over the years - promotions, retirements, the Adjutant General’s Deer Hunt,” said Umbarger. “There’s only been one Foxfire and there will always only be one Foxfire and it was right here. It was special to all of us.”
“It’s tough when you have a day like today when you say goodbye to something that’s been so wonderful and special to all of us. We wanted to have an opportunity for all of us to come together, individually and collectively, to look at it and remember the times that we’ve had here, and what it’s meant to all of us. We’ll never forget it.”
The name “Foxfire” came from a book King read about cabin building and Appalachian living. The pine trees used in its construction were planted in 1933 by German immigrates. Together these two events made Foxfire Lodge a legend in Camp Atterbury’s history.
During construction in 1969, Foxfire was originally called the “Annex,” a reference to being an annex to the Post Officer’s Club. Many soldiers and civilians volunteered their time and labor for its construction. It was officially dedicated in the fall of 1975 as Foxfire Lodge.
The use of the pine logs used in constructing Foxfire later became a bit of an issue with the Federal authorities. The pine trees were controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and could be cut down only if they were sold. The issue was resolved by using the logs for a Federal purpose and a promise not to do it again.
Time, the elements and insects have taken their toll on the untreated logs in the past 37 years. The logs have deteriorated to the point that repairing them is not safe or feasible.
Construction of the new shelter house replacing Foxfire is scheduled for sometime in the summer of 2011. The Department of Public Works plans to incorporate some items from the original Foxfire Lodge into the new shelter house.
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2011 19:52 |
| Story ID: | 71917 |
| Location: | CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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