OWNERS & DIRECTORS

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William Bennett & Franklin Gray

1914 - 1917 Bennett and Gray
1918 - 1921 Gray and Herman Norton Sr.

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Early in the 20th-century, William Bennett was principal of West HS in Rochester (lower photo), while Franklin Gray was the school's director of physical education and health (top photo). Frank Gray had joined the Keewaydin (Temagami) staff in the early 'teens and approached Bennett about starting their own camp. Both Bennett and Gray were owners and apparently Gray was director from the founding in 1914 through 1917 when Bennett withdrew. Gray remained as director and owner through 1918 when staffer and phys. ed. professional Herman J Norton of Rochester joined as partner, and assumed director duties. Gray remained with Camp assisting Norton until 1921, when he moved to his college town of Springfield, Massachusetts and started a camp in Rangeley, Maine. (below: The Grays with 1914 campers.)

Herman J 'Chief ' & Becky Norton

1918 - 1921 Franklin Gray and Herman Norton Sr.
1922 - 1962 Herman Norton Sr.

Herman J. 'Chief' Norton and Becky Norton lived in Rochester, NY where Norton was director of physical education for Monroe County Schools. Overseeing programs at both the large county high schools, East and West, he was close colleagues with Gray and Bennett and was pulled into senior staff roles at Pathfinder early on. Following Bennett's step back from ownership, the Grays went partners with the Nortons in 1918 and remained until 1921. From then until 1962 when he passed the torch to Bill Swift, Sr. - an astounding 41 seasons - Chief Norton was sole owner at the Pathfinder helm through pandemics, depressions, world war, and massive societal changes. So many of Pathfinder's core values and routines date to Norton's influence and vision. First among many of his mantras was that 'Camp is for the kids,' and he famously regaling staff meetings with others, like 'Organization, Deputization, Supervision, and Leadership' and a focus on providing campers 'The Thrill of Achievement'. Chief Norton relied largely on gifted adult staffmen, professionals in education, phys. ed, coaching and counseling. Among many were Norm Roggow, Lou Montgomery, Roger Hancher, Ralph Tichenor, Nick Zona and Tom Dodd. (top left: on the dock with Becky; lower left: with longtime director 'Tick' Tichenor; below: a moment's peace with Mrs. Norton in their original owners' cabin, now the PX).

William V. 'Bill' and Wendy Swift

1962 - 1965 Swifts and Frank Horton

1965 - 1975 Swifts and Roy Thrall

Bill Swift began his Pathfinder camper career in 1939, becoming a staff man and Headman before graduating Cornell University and beginning a career with Eastman Kodak Co. in his hometown of Rochester. His last staff season was 1953 but during the '50s he avidly continued tripping in the Park, often spending time around the Highland Inn where he became close with the Paget family and met Dave and Jonesy Wainman. Dave was a deputy chief ranger for Algonquin, and the two couples envisioned an outfitting operation to help Park visitors canoe trip without need of guides to carry heavy packs and canoes. Algonquin Outfitters was born just before Swift took over ownership of Camp Pathfinder from the Nortons in 1961-2. With Pathfinder years under his belt and clear ideas about a renewed focus on tripping, Swifty immediately set about furnishing camp with new canoes, trip gear, and high standards for Headmen. Trips headed farther afield, too. Frank Horton, about to be elected to Congress from western New York, was brought on board, partnering with Swift, 1962 - '65, but soon stepped back. Senior staffer Roy Thrall joined Swifty, 1965 - '75 as co-owner and camp director.

Ultimately, each man wished to own Pathfinder outright, and in 1975 Swifty sold his shares to Roy to focus on AO and its growth full time. (top left: Swifty, Wendy, Sue & Rich with young family, ca. 1995; left: young Bill Swift at a Dining Hall supper, ca. 1950; below: classic photo of Horton, Swift, Norton going over the 'deal', 1961.)