In the beginning from 1918 until 1938, Girl Scouts of the Western Reserve had many titles, from Akron Area Scouts to Summit City Council of the Girl Scouts. By 1962, Medina, Portage, Summit, and Northern Wayne Counties consolidated to become Western Reserve Girl Scout Council. You will discover Girl Scout history and the evolution of Girls Scouts of the Western Reserve as it happened in Greater Akron.
In fact, did you know that Franz Schumacher (founder of Quaker Oats Company) in 1840 built the Victorian-style house that was located at 108 Fir Hill? This building was known as the "Cookie House" because it was bought and maintained with cookie program profits. The street got its name from the fir trees. The property later became a part of the University of Akron.
1918-1919
Akron Area Girl Scout organization was formed, and Troops #1-#6 were organized.
1920-1921
The Akron Area Girl Scout council's first headquarters was located in the Metropolitan Building in downtown Akron.
1921-1922
Council chartered as Summit County Council of the Girl Scouts, and Girl Scouts camped at Akron Mayor's, F.S. Myers, Rex Lake.
1921-1926
Moved to new and larger headquarters located at 114 E Market Street (C.W. Seiberling home).
1923
Camped at Comet Dam, when it flooded, the girls helped collect farm animals. First known Girl Scout troops in Barberton.
1924
Camp was held at Camp Chanote until Mrs. Laursen presented the Girl Scouts permanent use of the Laursen Estate as Day Camp in 1932.
1925
Cookies baked by girls and sold for $.25 per dozen.
1926-1927
The Guth Building caught fire and headquarters were temporarily moved to Yager's Department Store.
1928
Council renamed to Akron Area Council Girl Scouts and five day camps were started, which included Perkins Park, Gorge, and Forest Lodge.
1930
The Bankers Building, 191 S Main St, became the headquarters. Akron's first 7,750 dozen cookies sales netted $480.
1932
Camp Ledgewood opened, campers were given blimp rides by Goodyear, and girls attended Day Camp.
1939
Troops #7- #10 were started at Grant, Lincoln, and Broad Schools.
1943-1975
The "Cookie House" (the house bought with cookie program money) located at 108 Fir Hill became the new headquarters.
1949
Jessie Mae Fageol Campground was presented to the Ravenna Girl Scout Association.
1962
Western Reserve Council is formed to combine Summit, Portage, Medina, and Northern Wayne Counties.
1971
Senior Girl Scouts held an all-night Cookie "Bake-in" at Low Lodge. Cookies were mailed to solders in Vietnam.
1980
The Girl Scout Gold Award established as highest award. First Gold Award in WRGSC earned by girls.
1981
Camp Ledgewood celebrates its 50th anniversary with a party at camp. Girl Scout Cadettes and Seniors buried a time capsule to be opened in 2031 at the foot of Camp Ledgewood's main flagpole during the Cadette/Senior Roundup.
1994
345 White Pond Drive becomes the Headquarters.
2000
Name changed to Girl Scouts of the Western Reserve, Inc.
2002
Western Reserve Council 40th Anniversary. Ledgewood 70th Anniversary Open House Celebration: May-Peace Pole dedication. 72 girls received their Silver Award.
2007
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio formed through merger of Erie Shores, Great Trail, Lake to River, Lake Erie, and Western Reserve.
