River North in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William D. Boyce

Photographed By Sean Flynn, June 25, 2024

1. William D. Boyce Marker

Inscription. This tablet honors the memory of
William D. Boyce
who from his office in this building in the year 1910 started the procedures for the organization and incorporation of the Boy Scouts of America

Erected 1960 by National Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 41° 53.458′ N, 87° 37.787′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in River North. Marker is at the intersection of North Dearborn Street and West Illinois Street, on the right when traveling south on North Dearborn Street. The marker faces east, near the entrance to the RPM Italian restaurant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 52 West Illinois Street, Chicago IL 60654, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named William D. Boyce (here, next to this marker); Site of the First Rush Medical College (within shouting distance of this marker); Courthouse Plaza (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chicago Varnish Company Building (about 700 feet away); Tree Studios

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); LaSalle Street Cable Car Powerhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Former Chicago Historical Society Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pizzeria Uno (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. A separate marker dedicated to Boyce in honor of his founding of the Lone Scouts of America is a few steps away, around the corner. This building at the corner of Dearborn and Illinois (500-510 North Dearborn, and 52 West Illinois) is known as the Boyce Building. Boyce commissioned it as the headquarters for his publishing company. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, however it is not designated by Chicago's Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

Regarding William D. Boyce. William Boyce was born in Pennsylvania and eventually settled in Chicago, where he became a successful newspaper publisher. In 1909, he learned about scouting while visiting London, and when he returned home founded the Boy Scouts of America. Later, after an internal clash over the Scouting program, he founded the Lone Scouts of America, which focused

Photographed By Sean Flynn, June 25, 2024

2. William D. Boyce Marker

The Boyce Boy Scouts marker is visible on the corner of the building; another marker from the Lone Scouts of America is not visible but is right next to it, facing south. A Chicago fire station is across the street in this west-facing photo.

on boys in less populated rural areas. In 1924, the two groups merged. Boyce died in Chicago in 1929 from bronchial pneumonia; he was buried in Ottawa, Illinois, the city 85 miles southwest where he had acquired property.

Also see . . .
1. William Dickson Boyce. A biography of William D. Boyce from the Peoria, Illinois-based Scouts troop named after him.

Excerpt: "In late October of 1909, a Chicago publisher who resided in Ottawa, Illinois, was on a business trip in London, England. Standing on a corner in a dense fog, utterly lost, he was approached by a young boy who inquired, 'Sir, may I be of assistance.' Upon explaining his dilemma, the boy volunteered to show Mr. Boyce the way. When they arrived, Boyce reached into his pocket for a shilling to tip the boy. The youth refused, saying, 'No thank you, sir, I’m a scout and this is my good turn for the day.' Boyce, up to that point, had never heard of a scout; but, he was intrigued with the concept. He asked the boy to wait for him so that he could learn more about 'Scouts'. This Scout, whose name was never recorded, became known internationally as 'The Unknown Scout'. This gesture by an unknown Scout inspired a meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the British founder of the Boy Scouts. As a result, William D. Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on February
Photographed By Sean Flynn, June 25, 2024

3. Boyce Building
The Boy Scouts marker dedicated to Boyce is on the right side of the corner in this photo, facing east; the Lone Scouts of America marker is next to it on the left side, facing south.
8, 1910. He also created the Lone Scouts, which merged with the Boy Scouts of America in 1924."

(Submitted on June 25, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. The Boyce Building. The official site from Friedman Properties

Excerpt: "The building was designed by D.H. Burnham & Co. and Christian Eckstrom and constructed in stages between 1911 and 1923. At its completion, it was the tallest office building north of the Chicago River and west of Michigan Avenue. The publishing company occupied the first four floors; the eight remaining floors housed office tenants. Boyce used the building's penthouse as his Chicago home—his 'sky bungalow'."

(Submitted on June 25, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

William D. Boyce image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown, circa 1914

4. William D. Boyce

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 38 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on July 26, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.