History and Legend
History is more than a quaint tale. It’s the “how” and “why” things are the way they are now. You can read clues to the past in the present landscape. Observe the evidence of an old foundation, a chisel mark, a half-faded paw print. It’s a constantly unfolding puzzle. Girls love to solve mysteries, and there are plenty here to be unraveled.
The Northern two thirds of Crowell Hilaka passed through the ownership of many families. The most recent were the Neals. They lived in Cleveland, but summered here amid their orchards.
The Southern third was owned by only two families before it came to the Girl Scouts: the Oviatts and the Kirbys.
Mason and Fanny Oviatt were married in 1831. They lived with their eleven children on their farm, raising cattle, pigs, and sheep. They were ordinary people of quiet courage and integrity. Mason worked with John Brown (later famed as an abolitionist who raided Harper’s Ferry and was hanged for treason). Mason helped John Brown transport escaped slaves along the route to Canada. Fanny helped care for Brown’s family during a severe illness. The farm passed down to their grandson, who sold it to the Kirby's.
James B. Kirby was a creative mechanical genius who became wildly successful as an inventor and engineer. His whimsical touches can still be seen (and experienced!) on his old estate.