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Newport Beach's Centennial Mayor, Don Webb
Remembers the 1953 Jamboree
I grew up in Tucson, Arizona and traveled with other scouts from Catalina Council. My 14th birthday was
on the day before we left Tucson. What a birthday present! I was a scout member from Tucson Troop 6
from the First Methodist Church.
In 1953 airplanes still had propellors, were very expensive and the trip was only 500 miles so buses
were the only real option for travel from Tucson to the Irvine Ranch in California. In July, going through
the Yuma desert is very hot, particularly if the only air conditioning is an open window. Our solution
was night travel to take advantage of slightly cooler temperatures. We left around 9pm and arrived at
the San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot before lunch on Monday the 13th of July. We were given a
tour of San Diego Bay in a Marine landing craft and showed military equipment at the Depot. The next
morning, we visited Balboa Park and the Zoo on the way north. Our buses arrived at the Jamboree site
Tuesday afternoon the 141h and were among the first unit to arrive.
Scouting is all about getting along with others and experiencing new adventures. What is a better way
to do this than joining your friends and new acquaintances on a journey to another state for a week-
long camp -out with 50,000 other scouts just like you from other faraway places? All 48 states (this was
before Hawaii and Alaska became states and were there as Territories) and many foreign countries sent
Scouts to join the fun.
My parents had prepared me well for this experience through their cross-country trips to the East coast
to visit various family members and friends. I was used to getting to know people from other places and
enjoyed learning the varying ways of accomplishing our daily tasks. I was looking forward to the
unknown and to doing something I had not done before. It was going to be a great adventure.
Imagine rolling hills sloping towards the Upper Newport Bay, crisscrossed by gullies, washes and a
canyon. MacArthur Boulevard was a nice paved 2-lane road but between the road and the Bay there
was not a single building or residence northerly of Coast Highway. Brush had been cleared from most
level areas. The Jamboree site was about 2 miles long and 1.4 miles wide. Gravel and oiled roads
provided access to the 1250 +/- troop campsites which were adorned with shower and latrine tents.
Each campsite had a water spigot. There were large canvas tents for trading posts around the area and
staff tents nearby. Wow, what a place to camp!
There were many highlights. The beach trip with huge waves at Huntington State beach, heavily
supervised by Military amphibious vehicles (DUKWs or Ducks). A visit to Knotts Berry Farm where I
developed a taste for cinnamon Jellybeans. The newly formed Air Force Thunderbirds performed with
their Korean War tested Thunder Jets. The great variety of items the scouts brought to trade. Try to
imagine the story a Pennsylvania coal miner's son might come up with to make a lump of coal more
valuable than a wood splinter which came from Paul Bunyon's Axe from Wisconsin. Our special item
were horned Toads. You may even find a few of their great grandchildren in the area today. Contests to
lash together Monkey Bridges and structures. Events that tested your skills against other Scouts. The
major evening show featured at least 10,000 participants. It was a salute to America's history and
Scouting. The experience I remember most vividly was the candle -lighting ceremony at the closing of
the Sunday evening Convocation service. Imagine 50,000 flickering flames on a hillside above the bay
and below the expanse of the star lit sky. I often sit across the bay wondering if they were as bright as
the night lights today.
Upon leaving the Army in 1964, 1 moved to Orange County and then to Newport Beach in 1965. My
career with the Newport Bech Public Works Department began in 1968. Over the years as our 1953
camp site was gradually covered by tall and short buildings, residence, parks, shopping centers, schools
and a golf course, I experienced how complicated it was to build a community that is well planned and
a very desirable place to live. My surprise is how a few hundred over a seven -month period created a
well -planned, very functional city for 50,000 residents to use for less than two weeks out of a sheep
and cattle grazing field. As far as I know, all that I knew had a great time with wonderful experiences.
As I stand back and remember the experience, we all owe many thanks to those who worked so hard
to create the largest Jamboree to be held in the U.S. The Irvine Ranch was a perfect place at the right
time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
This was prepared from memories of Don Webb for an article that appeared in 2018.
�W �PORV rt B100 Civic Center Drive
Newport California 92660
949 644-3004 1949 644-3039 FAX
newportbeachca.gov
a
cRNNP
Mayor June 1, 2025
Joe Stapleton
Mayor Pro Tern
Don Webb
Lauren Kleiman
1821 Mariners Drive
Council Members
Michelle Barto
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Noah Blom
Robyn Grant
Sara J. Weber
Dear Don,
Erik Kenneth Weigand
On behalf of the Newport Beach City Council and our entire community, I want to
extend my heartfelt thanks for your excellent presentation on the 1953 National Boy
Scout Jamboree held right here in Newport Beach.
Your deep knowledge and engaging storytelling brought that historic event vividly to
life for all of us. The 1953 Jamboree was a defining moment for our city —welcoming
over 50,000 Scouts from across the country and putting Newport Beach on the
national stage. As you so clearly illustrated, the Jamboree left a lasting legacy in our
community, one that continues to this day.
Few cities can say they have a major roadway named after a moment in Scouting
history, but Newport Beach proudly does —Jamboree Road stands as a permanent
reminder of the values, energy, and unity that event brought to our city, Your
presentation not only celebrated that legacy but reminded us of the important role
Scouting has played in shaping our civic character.
Thank you again for your time, research, and dedication to preserving this
remarkable chapter in our city's story. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to
celebrate the Boy Scout Jamboree as we continue to Celebrate Newport.
Warm regards,
Joe Stapleton
Mayor