Sylvania in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Jake The Goose
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 6, 2024
1. Jake The Goose Marker
Burial site of the famed Camp Miakonda Mascot of the 1950's
Camp Miakonda over the years has had many camp mascots but the most famous was a goose who took up year round residence at Miakonda in the early 1950's named Jake the Goose. Jake came into Miakonda one day from parts unknown and spent the remainder of his life here. He followed Camp Ranger Don Fanning around the property as he worked. Jake often attended chapel services during the summer camp season where he would join in by honking during hymns. When Scouts lined up for a hike around camp, Jake and a neighboring beagle would line up as well and walk around camp with the boys. When the first Order of the Arrow Lodge was organized here in 1957, it was named Wa-Be-Wa-Wa which meant Goose in Flight. The Lodge totem was and still is a goose. Nearly all of the patches issued by our Order of the Arrow Lodge 522 since 1957 have included an image of a flying goose. The mystical Jake the Goose died in 1956 and was buried by Ranger Don Fanning at this spot overlooking Lake Sawyer where Jake had spent much of his life.
Erected 2007 by Jeff Pettit/Owner.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Charity & Public Work
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Location. 41° 41.599′ N, 83° 40.68′ W. Marker is in Sylvania, Ohio, in Lucas County. It can be reached from West Sylvania Avenue 0.3 miles east of North Holland-Sylvania Road, on the right when traveling west. On the grounds of Camp Miakonda, Erie Shores Council, Boy Scouts of America. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5600 W Sylvania Avenue, Toledo OH 43623, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stream and Habitat Restoration at Camp Miakonda (a few steps from this marker); Miakonda's Cabins / The Parade Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Lake Sawyer / Sea Scout Ship A.B. Newell (within shouting distance of this marker); Miakonda's Interfaith Chapel / The Four Chaplains of WWII (within shouting distance of this marker); Cunningham Ditch (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); World's Longest Swimming Pool / Thomas Devilbiss (about 500 feet away); Miakonda's Treehouse Campsite / Lou Klewer, Toledo Scouting Legend (about 600 feet away); A Legendary Boy Scout Camp / The Tribe of Gimogash (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sylvania.
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 6, 2024
2. Jake The Goose Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, December 6, 2024
3. Burial site of the famed Camp Miakonda Mascot of the 1950's
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 8, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
