Harvey County Historical Society

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

Recently the Harvey County Commissioner voted “to move forward with plans to sell Camp Hawk” located at southwest 36th, in rural Harvey County.  The county has owned the camp for the past 42 years obtaining it from the YMCA in 1975.  Prior to that, the roughly 40 acres had been the property of the YMCA.  Harvey County resident, H.G. ‘Guy’ Hawk donated the land to the YMCA in 1959 and 1960. The camp is named for him.

H.G. ‘Guy’ Hawk lived a long life of service to Harvey County.  He was born near Burns, Kansas in Marion County on August 27, 1872.  As a young man, he moved to Walton, Kansas where he was instrumental in establishing the Walton State Bank in 1907.  He married Ida Lathrop in 1917.

In 1919, he was elected to the Kansas Legislature and he moved to Newton.  Elected to the Newton City Commission in 1931, he served as mayor in 1932 and 1933.  He served again on the City Commission from 1947-1949.  While in Newton, he served as a director of the Midland National Bank and as honorary chairman of the board at First Federal Savings and Loan Association.

Guy Hawk died October 23, 1973 in Newton.  He was survived by his wife, Ida.

Guy Hawk donated about 40 acres located at SW 36th to the YMCA in 1959 and 1960. It quickly became a popular place to hold camps and picnic.

Today, the camp includes a 4-acre fishing pond, tent camping, a playground and a 24-hole disc golf course.  The Professional Disc Golf Association described the course as:

“a great mix- through wooded areas crossing creeks and ponds while battling the Kansas wind. Signature hole #23 has water on both sides all the way to the pin.”

Sources:

• Topeka State Journal, 24 October 1973
• Newton Now, 15 September 2016.
• Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Web – “Camp Hawk.”