Legend of Mowogo Lodge

     Many years ago a wise man came to these hills looking for a place to rest. He came to this valley after a long and toilsome life of many hardships. His family had been killed by the white man, leaving him the lone survivor of a dying race. 
     He came to this place we now call Rainey Mountain. He found a faint trail to Big Rock and began the wearisome journey to the top. With each step the climb became more difficult. When he finally reached the top he looked around, gathered many pieces of wood, and found a place to build a fire. It was his time to die. He built a roaring blaze, then raised his hands towards the heavens, and a great ball of fire shot into the sky! The medicine man disappeared, but the shape of a bear appeared in the heavens. Just as the man had come, there was nothing left: no trace of fire, no trace of footsteps, no trace of man. He had disappeared. 
     Many years later a man named Rainey came to these hills, seeking a place to pan gold. He found She Creek which was not yet turned into Lake Toccoa. He saved up enough money to buy the land that is now Camp Rainey Mountain. Rainey started a little farm, built the cabin you see across the lake, acquired a wife, and had several children who worked in the fields during the day. One night as he drifted off to sleep there was a loud crash at the door! He went outside to see what was wrong, but saw nothing until he turned around. There were three huge claw marks on the door. Several nights later there was again a crash at the door. He saw no one, however, this time there were two claw marks on the door. He was extremely puzzled and was becoming frightened, but he did nothing. One night later there was again a crash at the door. This time one claw mark showed, but still Rainey did nothing.
     A few days later Rainey went out on a hunting trip. When he returned he found a bear had slaughtered his family. He stayed on his land for several years as he sought someone to buy his property. Along came a man called Gordon, Moses W. Gordon. Mowogo Lodge is named after him. When Mr. Gordon purchased the land, he thought this would be a great place for a Boy Scout Camp. He would call it Camp Rainey Mt., and the name lasts to this day.
     Shortly afterward Mowogo Lodge had its first encampment. The Order of the Arrow members gathered around a fire after a long, hard day of work. They sat and talked about the day's events and everyone was pleased that the work had been well done.
Suddenly there were sounds of heavy footsteps. The boys turned to see a great bear. The boys were frozen with fear. The bear rose up off the ground onto its hind legs, and just as the bear had risen, he came down again and walked away. 
     Those boys were more than lucky. They were true Scouts. For it is said that a true Scout, one who is not only a Scout on the outside, but also in his heart will not be harmed by the she-bear. And so, the legend lives ...