Near Elizabeth in Wirt County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Camp Kootaga
Boy Scouts of America
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 4, 2014
1. Camp Kootaga Marker
You are entering the northwest side of Camp Kootaga, a 634 acre Boy Scout Camp situated on the Hughes River in Wirt County, West Virginia. Camp Kootaga is officially known as the George A. Stevenson Reservation of the local Allohak Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
This camp property was purchased in 1922 by Don Lowe who represented the local active Gim-O-Gash Tribe of the Boy Scouts. The first formal summer camp was held that year on the Hughes River on this new property. The campers were boy scout troops from Parkersburg with Don Lowe acting as Camp Director. In 1929, a Kiowa Indian named J. Dougannah helped run the summer camp program. He gave many leaders Indian names and named the Camp “Kootaga” which means “Good Friends.” Since then, Camp Kootaga has dutifully served as an active yearlong campground with the main mission continuing to be to serve as a training ground to help develop young men into outstanding individuals and citizens representing the best that The Scouting Adventure has to offer.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Native Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. 39° 8.884′ N, 81° 21.914′ W. Marker is near Elizabeth, West Virginia, in Wirt County. Marker is at the intersection of Staunton Turnpike (West Virginia Route 47) and Camp Kootaga Road, on the right when traveling east on Staunton Turnpike. Marker is located on the south side of the highway, near the bridge that connects with Camp Kootaga Road across the Hughes River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 79 Camp Kootaga Road, Elizabeth WV 26143, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ritchie County / Wirt County (approx. 3.7 miles away); Wells Lock and Dam No. 3 (approx. 5.7 miles away); Beauchamp-Newman Museum (approx. 6 miles away); Wirt County Honor Roll (approx. 6.1 miles away); Elizabeth (approx. 6.1 miles away); Historical Elizabeth (approx. 6.1 miles away); Volcano, West Virginia (approx. 7 miles away); Endless Cable System (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabeth.
Also see . . . Camp Kootaga. Buckskin Council BSA website entry:
Camp Kootaga Summer Camp has been continuously running for over 95 years and has provided
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 4, 2014
2. Camp Kootaga Marker (wide view; Staunton Turnpike (West Virginia Hwy 47) in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 463 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 26, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
