Louie the Lion

Louie the Lion came into existence out west in Salem, Oregon in 1935. A man named “Hod” McManners was visiting relatives in Salem and was admiring the lion statues produced by local industry. To Mr. McManner’s surprise, Mr. Ed McLean stopped at Black River Falls with a bus that he was delivering to Detroit that was carrying a “passenger”, a lion made of concrete and old gun barrels.

The Lion served as a landmark in Black River Falls and was often tipped over by local youth. After some injuries to the Lion, he was donated to the local Lions Club which put him in storage. In 1960, a resident, Don Woodford, was doing some work around Lion Louis Gardipee’s house and asked what happened to the Lion. Mr. Woodford suggested that the Lion be donated to the Wisconsin Lions Camp.

After some cleaning and refurbishing, the Lion was brought over to the Wisconsin Lions Camp on a new base and with a plaque on it. He was originally named Leo, but the club had a sense of humor and renamed him Louie. These days Louie the Lion watches over the Camp from his position at the front gate and is a popular photo spot for our campers and visitors. If you’ve stopped by this past year, a Lions Club recently donated another Lion to guard our lower Camp area from his post at the parking lot. Louie’s little brother Leo, is not as heavy and is more colorful. Stop by and see both of the Wisconsin Lions Camp’s lions!