Palace Station is an ancient historic site located deep in the forests of the Bradshaw Mountains. Thanks to the 109th in Phoenix, Arizona, this effort will continue for even longer.
This fall, the 109th Scouts will celebrate their 42nd year on the ground.
“It’s very rare to be able to visit a historic site like this,” says Fields Moseley, former 109th Scoutmaster and now Assistant Scoutmaster. “And there is also a shared history with our unit.”
In 1875, a man named Alfred Spence and his wife Mathilde built a modest log cabin in Yavapai County, Arizona.
For over a decade it served as a stagecoach station for travelers to and from the city of Prescott and one of the area’s most famous mines, Peck Mine. Meals cost 50 cents. Hay and grain for horses was $1.50.
The Spence family eventually added a kitchen and over the years also operated a bunkhouse, milk barn, blacksmith shop, chicken coop and three barns.
But eventually time moves on.
By 1900, new roads allowed travelers to make the same trip without stopping at Spence’s farm.
Albert died in 1907 and Matilde sold the house three years later.
Now the bunkhouse, milk barn, blacksmith, chicken coop, and three barns are long gone. However, the original cabin remains a relic from another era and is operated by Prescott National Forest with the great support of the 109th Division.
In 1981, the leaders of Pack 109 and Troop 109 arranged for members to carry out several service projects in the field. Pack 109 no longer exists, but Troop 109 remains in service. Since then, the only time Scouts have been unable to work at the site was in 2020, when it was closed due to wildfires.
The more things change…
The road to Palace Station has remained unchanged for over a century. Now known as the Senator His Highway, it is a favorite among off-road enthusiasts in the area.
It may take up to 2 hours to arrive as you will need to drive at a slow and steady pace.
“It’s a combination of rugged terrain,” says 16-year-old Eagle Scout Alec Gibson. “As history shows, you’ll need a spare in the morning, so it’s a rule to bring a spare.”
Cellular service in the area has also remained unchanged for the last 100 years.
The scouts arrive on Friday afternoon and camp not far from the hut itself.
Saturdays are devoted to service activities.
Over the years, Scout has carried out a variety of projects, always under the direction of Prescott National Forest officials.
One year, a helipad was installed to allow emergency helicopters to land on rugged terrain. Over the years they have maintained the helipad to keep it in good working order.
Replaced fence around property.
They have been doing erosion control projects on nearby trails.
They have helped maintain a nearby historic cemetery.
One year, they consolidated multiple fire rings installed by strangers into one firebreak to reduce their overall environmental impact.
And almost every year they remove dead and unwanted plants, Paul Bunyan Award in the process.
Last year, they met with archaeologists to discuss the history of the area and discuss future projects that could be done at the site.
“We always provide experience to both new and older scouts who have never been in the field before,” says Steven Valler, current 109th Unit Scoutmaster. “And instilling in them the idea that service is not just something you do, it’s also fun.”
…unchangeably
Former and current 109th Scouts take pride in their work at Palace Station. It’s something they look forward to every year and a tradition they will never forget.
“Every year when I post a picture on my Facebook page, everyone says, ‘Oh, I remember Palace Station,'” says Moseley. “It doesn’t matter what job they did there. They remember going to Palace Station because it’s been a mainstay for this unit for a long time.”
This service project has been going on so long that some current Scouts have older relatives who were there when it first started.
“I’m very happy to carry on the traditions that the unit has had since before I was born and when my uncles were in the unit,” said 15-year-old Tanner Mingo. “Doing service projects like this is important because helping the community is always good.”
In 1988, 109th Unit Recognized As part of President Ronald Reagan’s “Take Pride in America” program. Troop representatives headed for Washington, D.C., special ritual.
One has to wonder if they knew at the time that the project would last another few decades.
“My father was in this unit when this project started 40 years ago,” says 16-year-old Eagle Scout Zachary Zafransky. “My favorite thing is to work on preserving this historic site as he did during his time as a Scout and see all the good things the unit has done over the years.”
