Some new information on the history of Troop 201 just recently came to light from a 1969 Court of honor program. The information is attributted to discussions with Troop 201's first Eagle Scout, Bill Maynard.

Olmsted Falls had a Scout Troop shortly after the Boy Scouts of America were formed in 1910. A Mr. Edmund Bonsey formed and became the first Scoutmaster of Troop 1 in 1915. Carl Simmerer was Senior Scout with Russ Simmerer, Forrest Boner, Virgil Redmond, Lloyd Westbrook and Earl Hellinbrook as charter members of the troop.

It seems Troop 1 was a casualty of World War I and went out of existance about 1918. Research of the archives of the Olmsted Falls Library did not shed any further light on Troop 1 or its activities.

In 1925, under the guidance of Mr. Dan Waugh, the nucleus of what was to be known as Troop 201 was formed. The troop was chartered on October 29, 1926 and sponsored by the Olmsted Grange No. 1619. In addition to Scoutmaster Waugh the charter members were Committee chairman I.J. Kusse and scouts Carlton Hall, Jack Harrison, Bill Maynard, Rus Woodard, Bud Sheppard, Elmer Pierson, Lou McCollugh, George Ingersoll, Jim Kusse and John Knapp. Maynard later became Troop 201's first Eagle Scout in 1928.

The first re-chartering documents in 1927 shows the troop added 14 boys including 12-year-old Charles Harding, the second troop member to attain Eagle rank. Troop Committee Chairman, I.J. Kusse, certified the charter naming Daniel Waugh as Scoutmaster and Clarence Simmerer and John D. Knapp as assistants. Simmerer would take over as Scoutmaster in 1929. Listed on the Troop Committee were T.H. TeGrotinhus, A.B. Cook and G.A. Hall.

Scoutmaster Waugh served through 1928 with Clarence Simmerer taking over and continuing through 1937. Bill Maynard served as Scoutmaster from 1938 through 1942 and was followed by E.M. (Bill) Jenkins in 1943 and 44.

Charles Blickel held the position from 1945 through 1948 aided by Bill Jenkins, who led the Senior Scouts. In 1949 Bill Maynard again assumed the Scoutmaster's responsibilities and continued through 1951. During this time the Olmsted Falls Kiwanis assumed sponsorship from the Grange - and continue to this day.

Dale Kern and Garry Geist were Scoutmasters in 1952 and 53, respectively. Ther were followed by Hal Carter (1953-54) and D.C. McCune (1955-56). Forrest Collins was Scoutmaster from 1957-1960 and was succeeded by Chuck Yunckers in that year.

Yunckers left the troop in 1962 to form an Explorer Post and Fritz Manning took over as Scoutmaster for 1963-64. Jim Miller took over in 1965 and stayed through 1968 with the assistance of Earl Roig, Don Katt and Bob Rogge.

Rogge assumed leadership of the troop in 1969. He was followed in succession by Glenn Rehn in 1976, Charles Toney in 1982, Peter Kathrein in 1984, Jeff Sharp in 1986, James Roseman in 1988, Gary Gindlesperger in 1990, David Weeks in 1992, Mark Duncan in 1993, and Phillip Magnone in October 2001.

Our current Scoutmaster is Joseph LaGruth, who "took the reigns" from Mr. Magnone in August of 2004.

Hundreds of boys were members of Troop 201 over the past 80 years. The troop was at its largest during the 1960's with upwards of 60 scouts. During the past decade, membership remained between 30 and 40 youth members. A review of old records reveal names of boys who are today prominent citizens. For example, current Olmsted Falls Mayor Robert Blomquist was a member of Troop 201 during the late 60's. The troop also celebrated its 100th Eagle Scout, Tyler Bokman, in 2007.

Service projects by scouts over the years are in evidence throughout the community. Their handiwork can be seen at Fortier Park, East River Park, the Village Green, Chestnut Grove Cemetary, Olmsted Falls High School, Falls/Lenox Elementary, the Jenkins Center, Olmsted Community Church, St. Mary's of the Falls and other locations. For the 75th anniversary the troop landscaped a new section at Chestnut Grove Cemetary.