West Portsmouth in Scioto County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Camp Oyo

— Ohio Byway — Scenic Scioto Heritage Trail —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 16, 2019

1. Camp Oyo Marker

Inscription. Camp Oyo was created in the spring of 1926. A group of Portsmouth businessmen and the newly organized Scioto Council of the Boy Scouts purchased a tract of “wasteland” on the edge of the Roosevelt Game Preserve.

The driving force behind Camp Oyo was Harry Wagner who was named Scout executive in 1926 and continued to serve in this capacity until his retirement in 1962. The first building at camp was a multipurpose building that served as a mess hall and activities building. During the Great Depression The WPA and associated agencies began construction of the cabins in 1934. The cabins which were dedicated in the summer of 1935 were constructed of chestnut logs that had been killed by the blight.

The 1950’s were the hey-day of the camp. The boom of the atomic plant and the post-war baby boom saw camping at Oyo reach new heights. Camp Oyo continues to serve scouts by providing them with outdoor skills and leadership training.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 38° 43.597′ N,

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83° 9.24′ W. Marker is in West Portsmouth, Ohio, in Scioto County. It is on Shawnee Road just north of Ohio Route 125, on the right when traveling north. It is at the main gate. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Portsmouth OH 45663, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Camp Oyo Boy Scout Camp (a few steps from this marker); Theodore Roosevelt Game Preserve (approx. 1.3 miles away); Ohio's Biggest Yellow Buckeye (approx. 3.4 miles away); Shannoah (approx. 7.1 miles away in Kentucky); Twilight / Dedication Panel / Muralist Robert Dafford

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 16, 2019

2. Camp Oyo Marker

(approx. 7.9 miles away); Portsmouth Motorcycle Club / Good Times Remembered / Sunset at the Point / Sister Cities (approx. 7.9 miles away); A Struggle To Be Free (approx. 8 miles away); Portsmouth Railroads, 1950's / Modern Industry / Medical History / Twentieth Century Wars (approx. 8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Portsmouth.

Other markers no longer nearby. Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was approx. 7.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Scioto County, Experience Our Heritage (was approx. 7.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 676 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 25, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.