History of Camp Crowell/Hilaka

compiled by Jacqui Muth, and amended by various members of FoCH

Pre-Girl Scout History of the Land

pre-1800's : native tribes in Richfield primarily Wyandottes and Ottawas

1795 : land opened to white settlers through the Connecticut Land Company

1818, December 24: The Great Hinckley Hunt, followed by The Great Christmas Barbeque

c. 1830: Mason and Fanny Oviatt build their home on what is now Camp Julia Crowell. Their house becomes the camp manager's home.

1842: Abolitionist John Brown begins working for the Oviatts as shepherd & tanner

1856, March 14: The Great Sleigh Ride

1919: Kirbys purchase the Oviatt farm

1920: Kirby House & dam built

1921: Lake is patented

1926: upper dam built

Girl Scout History of Camp Crowell/Hilaka

1936 – The Cleveland Girl Scout Council begins looking for a centrally located campground and finds the Kirby estate in Richfield, Ohio.  Click here and here to see the flyers printed by the Council to attract funding for the purchase.

April 7, 1937 – The Cleveland Council purchases 243 acres of land from Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, the owners of the Kirby Vacuum Company

June 20, 1937 – The camp is opened and dedicated to Julia Crowell, the first commissioner of the Cleveland Council. The property is now known as "Camp Julia Crowell."

August 9, 1937 – The recreation hall on the property was named "Garfield Hall" in honor of Eleanor Garfield, the Cleveland Council's second commissioner and President Garfield's great granddaughter.

August 17, 1937 – The home built by James Kirby was dedicated as "Kirby House."

1943 – Camp Julia Crowell is among the first in the state to allow African-American girls for summer resident camp.

1949 – "Hilltop House" was built and became the first winterized cabin at Camp Julia Crowell.

1950 – 548 girls attend summer resident camp.

1952 – The CIT (Counselor-in- Training) program begins.

1955 – Due to the popularity of the camp, Camp Julia Crowell begins to offer family camping.

1957 – Cleveland Council purchases the 93 acres of land adjoining Camp Julia Crowell and brings the total property to 336 acres. It is the former Neal family property and includes North House (built in 1928), Amity House, and Coach House.

1958 – CIT program becomes a two-year program due to popular demand.

May 18, 1958 – "Mable Smith Shelter" dedicated in honor of Mable Smith, a beloved 10-year council staff member.

1959 – 727 girls attend summer resident camp.

1960 – "Hi Lea Shelter" dedicated to Sallie Louise Parker, a young girl who tragically lost her life during a terrible storm the previous summer at camp.

June 12, 1960 – The new land is opened to campers and named "Camp Hilaka" for the Lake Linnea, or the "High Lake."

1963-1966 – Camp Hilaka expansion project is underway

May 21, 1967 – New construction is completed at Camp Hilaka; the major additions included "George Gund Hall," "Louis D. Beaumont Pool," Chagrin Cabin," eight other units and a water system and sanitation plant.

June 1967 – The resident camp program is expanded to include Camp Hilaka.

1979 – Resident camp at Camp Crowell – Hilaka is suspended due to low enrollment.

1980s – Resident Camp returns due to a sudden surge in interest, and Camp Crowell-Hilaka has returned to its former popularity

1990s – Camp Crowell/Hilaka's resident camp reaches its golden age, with every single unit being used for campers over the summer, but declines rapidly by the end of the decade due to rising costs.

1995 – Camp Margaret Bates closes, forcing constituents to move to Crowell/Hilaka

2000 – Last summer of resident camp at Crowell-Hilaka

2003 - first Cadette/Senior Summit

2005 – All horses are sold.

2007 – Merger of Lake Erie, Western Reserve, Erie Shores, Lake To River and Great Trails Councils to form Girl Scouts of  North East Ohio

2009 – Camp Crowell-Hilaka is slated for closure due to close to a million dollars in repairs needed to the Lower Lake Dam, the water treatment plant, and several structural issues

2009 – The Friends of Crowell-Hilaka group is formed to try to stop the closure of such a time-honored and well-loved facility.