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  Crowell Hilaka
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History

  • 2014 June - Formation of the Richfield Joint Recreation District between Richfield Township and Richfield Village for purpose of acquiring Crowell Hilaka
  • 2014  April - Buckeye Trail Association pledges $33,600 for preservation & public access 
  • 2014  March - Conservancy extension granted from GSNEO until November of 2014
  • 2013  December -  Richfield Village Council asks if the Conservancy can request a contract extension from GSNEO
  • 2013 – October 20  FoCH hosts Crowell Hilaka Open House with Conservancy sponsorship 
  • 2013 – October 1   Richfield Village endorses FoCH purchase of Crowell Hilaka
  • 2013 -  Sept 19   Richfield Township endorses FoCH purchase of Crowell Hilaka
  • 2013 - September Richfield Historical Society endorses FoCH purchase of Crowell Hilaka
  • 2013 – August 30 FoCH launches publicity / fund-raising campaign
  • 2013 -  August 27  FoCH meets with the Conservancy.   Funds in excess of $4,000,000 are needed to secure the purchase of the property from GSNEO - when contract expires between the Conservancy and GSNEO in November 2013.
  • 2013 - June - GSNEO announces Western Reserve Land Conservancy withdrawal from purchase agreement for Camp Lejnar.   This prompts questions about the Conservancy’s contract for Crowell Hilaka.
  • 2012 – September: Members protest a council-sponsored closing ceremony.
  • 2012 - July: GSNEO announces purchase agreement with Western Reserve Land Conservancy
  • 2011 – GSNEO Board of Directors announces it will sell Camp Crowell/Hilaka along with four other camps.  Members organize to protest.  Camp is closed as of December 2011.
  • 2009 – GSNEO Board of  Directors organizes the Vision 2012 committee to evaluate all the camps in the council. Survey results
  • 2009 – The Friends of Crowell-Hilaka group is formed to try to stop the closure of such a time-honored and well-loved facility.
  • 2007 – Merger of Lake Erie, Western Reserve, Erie Shores, Lake To River and Great Trails Councils to form Girl Scouts of  North East Ohio
  • 2005 – All horses are sold.
  • 2003 - first Cadette/Senior Summit
  • 2000 – Last summer of resident camp at Crowell-Hilaka
  • 1995 – Camp Margaret Bates closes, forcing constituents to move to Crowell/Hilaka
  • 1983 – GSLEC hires landscape architects Knight and Stolar to create a master plan for Camps Crowell Hilaka and Lejnar
  • 1980s – Resident Camp returns due to a sudden surge in interest, and Camp Crowell-Hilaka has returned to its former popularity
  • 1979 – Resident camp at Camp Crowell – Hilaka is suspended due to low enrollment.
  • 1976 – Doodle-le-Doo
  • 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.  Resident camping expands.
  • 1967  - March 15th – Pipeline right of way granted to East Ohio Gas Company.  A  thirty-foot strip of meadow is maintained across the width of the camp and is known as the “gas cut”.
  • 1963-1966 – Camp Hilaka expansion project is underway
  • 1960 - June 12th – The new land is opened to campers and named "Camp Hilaka" for the Lake Linnea, or the "High Lake."
  • 1960s – Senior Roundups
  • 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.
  • 1958 - May 18th  – "Mable Smith Shelter" dedicated in honor of Mable Smith, a beloved 10-year council staff member.
  • 1957 – Cleveland Council purchases the 93 acres of land adjoining Camp Julia Crowell and brings the total property to 336 acres.
  • 1950s – Camp programs expand
  • 1949 – "Hilltop House" was built and became the first winterized cabin at Camp Julia Crowell.
  • 1943 – Camp Julia Crowell is among the first in the state to allow African-American girls for summer resident camp.
  • 1937 - Aug 17th – The home built by James Kirby was dedicated as "Kirby House."
  • 1937 - Aug 9th – The recreation hall on the property was named "Garfield Hall" in honor of Eleanor Garfield.
  • 1937 - June 20th – 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."
  • 1937 – Girl Scout families and supporters donate the money to purchase the Kirby estate.
  • 1936 - Kirby agrees to sell estate to Cleveland Girl Scout Council
  • 1936:  Amity House built by Herbert and Helen Neal
  • 1920s and 30s:  Kirbys buy the adjoining farms.  Family and friends often visit the beautiful property. 
  • 1928:  North House and Coach House built by Clarence and Clara Neal
  • 1924:  Upper Lake created.
  • 1923: Garfield Hall built
  • 1921: Lake is patented
  • 1920: Kirby House & dam built
  • 1919: Kirbys purchase the Oviatt farm
  • 1900: Area families occasionally find gold from the hidden stash of counterfeiter Dan Brown
  • 1863:  Milton R. and Ruth Oviatt Freeman buy the western part of Nathaniel Oviatt's farm.
  • 1856, March 14: The Great Sleigh Ride
  • 1850:  Mason Oviatt dies in California while prospecting for gold
  • 1836: Mason and Fanny Oviatt build their home on what is now Oviatt Road near Route 303.
  • 1818, December 24: The Great Hinckley Hunt, followed by The Great Christmas Barbeque
  • 1811:  Heman Oviatt purchases northwest quadrant of Richfield from Captain Benjamin Tallmadge
  • 1795 : land opened to white settlers through the Connecticut Land Company

Projects

Kirby's Mill Restoration
Historic Home Stabilization
Native Species Restoration
Picture

Contact

Friends of Crowell Hilaka
100 Wandle Avenue
Bedford, OH 44146
contactus@friendsofcrowellhilaka.org

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