Boy Scout signalman
by Barry Bauer
This unidentified Boy Scout, perched on top of one of the buildings on the east side of the 200 block of N. Clinton Ave., probably the old National Bank, is earning his “signalman” badge using semaphore flags. They were used as a means of sending messages back and forth. They are commonly seen as red and yellow flags but they can also be other light/dark combinations, depending on the background.
In the background we can see the majestic Steel Hotel which burnt down in 1975. This photo is dated circa mid-1930s.