90-year-old Camp Skullbone repurposed as wedding venue
Kristi Cozart and Jim Jochens have opened a wedding and camping venue in Dittmer that is steeped in Jefferson County history.
The site, originally a Boy Scout campground built in 1931, was called Camp Skullbone in the Woods. The pair decided to keep the name.
“So, it’s been in Jefferson County for a long time,” Jochens said.
He said preserving the history of the camp was important.
“We left all the buildings, the original footprints; they’re all restored immaculately,” Jochens said. “It’s just to kind of preserve this little piece of heaven in Jefferson County.”
Cozart and Jochens have owned the property for about three years and are planning a grand opening sometime in the spring of 2021.
Jochens said he plans to rent out the 90-acre property, 104 Skullbone Hill, most weekends for weddings.
“You’ll get the property from Friday to Sunday, and you get the whole property – all the buildings, the pavilion – the get-married areas, so to speak,” he said.
The wedding party and guests will have exclusive use of the property for the three days, for a fee of around $6,500.
Jochens said his favorite part of the property is the pavilion and the bar area.
“it just feels homey down there,” he said. “It’s just nice and quiet and it’s pretty. There’s a creek that runs through.”
Anyone interested in more information can email campskullbone@gmail.com.