How Maumee Scout Reservation Was Named
The Naming of a Camp
by Doug Seaborne
Maumee Scout Reservation Gateway Entrance
White River had found its new camp site and was busy developing it and as 1972 approached and the new camp site was to be used for summer camp, a name was needed.
A committee of volunteers and other selected Scouters were asked to serve on a committee to choose the name for the new Scout camp. They were tasked with deciding upon a name to be presented to the Council Executive Board on January 17, 1972. Chairing the committee was Howell H. Brooks who also served as the Chairman of the Camp Development Committee.
The White River Council bulletin/newsletter had run an article stating that the committee had been formed and was soliciting names from Scouters, Scouts and other Council interested parties for the new camp site. The article said all names would get due consideration and to mail them to the office in care of the Campsite Name Committee.
Names did pour in. The Campsite name Committee met on January 6, 1972, at 6:30 PM at the Red Lion Dining Room. They were to discuss the names that had been suggested. There were over 30 names that had been suggested:
Clear Springs, Lincoln Ridge, Woodchuck Knoll, Old Hickory, Rogers Reservation, Wapehani, Hoosier, Indian Hills, Doe Valley, Buck Lake, Rocky River, Pine lake, Black Creek, Cache River, Squirrel Town, Dutch Ridge, Hickory Ridge, Maumee, Indian Ridge, Hickory Hills, Black Lake, Deer Valley, Stag Lake, Grouse Lake, Pine Valley, Pine Hills, Aspen Hills, Four Seasons, New Horizons, Trails End, Sumivali, Camp Shone, Camp George Rogers Clark, and Geode Gulch
There are no minutes found regarding the discussion of the names other than the handed down story that one of the Council officers made an argument regarding the name Maumee and that the name was already on the map which would identify it to the area and pressed hard for its acceptance.
Regardless of the discussion, a decision was made and the committee was prepared to make the recommendation of a name at the upcoming Executive Board meeting.
Among the agenda items for the Council Executive Board the night of January 17, 1976, was the item - name for the new campsite. H.H. Brooks, as chair of the committee, made his report and made a motion for the name and it was seconded by Dr Joe Wohfield. The name chosen and approved was Maumee Reservation. That was the name used on the early patches. It did not include the word Scout in its name as we all are more familiar with. The sign was made to read Maumee Scout Reservation and it fell into use, though it was never approved or changed by the Board.
Sign at Lake Tarzian
To continue the story along the lines of naming, let’s continue with H.H. Brooks report. There was also the motion made by Mr. Brooks that the camp lake be named Lake Tarzian to honor the general capital campaign chairman, Sarkes Tarzian. The second was made by Maurice “Pods” Miller. All were in favor.
According to notes in the old file from James Merry, the Scout Executive at the time, Maumee was the first name suggest way back in March of 1971. The suggestion came about that Maumee was a somewhat derivative of Miami and there had been a 20-minute battle fought in Jackson County at Tipton Island so it would be appropriate to name the new campsite Maumee. Just one of the side stories that went with the naming of the new campsite.
Naming was popular for the new campsite. Roads, campsites, ridges and even the beach has a name. The lake had been named and the beach was named Wetterau Beach.
Campsite were to be developed on 3 ridges with a fourth ridge planned for future use.
What is referred to today as East Ridge was named Algonquin Ridge. The road leading to it was Dogwood Ridge Road. Campsite to be developed there were Winnebago, Huron, Delaware, and Erie.
What we know as Center Ridge was Middle Ridge back them but was to be named The Great Plains with campsites to be Cheyenne, Navajo, Pawnee, and Osage. The road serving it was Persimmon Ridge Road
West Ridge was to be Miami Ridge with campsite Fox, Kickapoo, and Illini. Apparently, there was no name for that road.
Minton’s Flag Pole
The Far West Ridge future was for campsites Comanche, Apache, and Kiowa. This area was never developed.
Names of campsite changed as plans were made and further input was given. As we know, Delaware Camp site became Ottawa. Navajo was named Mandan. Fox became Shawnee and was move to Center Ridge.
The road to the Troop Services Building known as the Commissary (Quartermaster now) was Commissary Ridge Road. And entrance to camp was not forgotten as it was named Rogers Road. The Commissioners’ Patch was the parking lot and boulevard coming into the parking lot. The Archery Range was Ross Archery Range.
Many of these names we are not familiar today as Scouts have a way of simplifying things. Many are named for early donors, individuals and companies. Many places never had a sign signifying that name and some were taken down after time to prevent vandalism and undue weather toll, some are safely kept in honor, but their legacy lives on in their gifts.