Over the past three and a half years, I've visited Lake Erie, Chautauqua Lake, Conneaut Lake, Findley Lake.  It's about time I visited another lake.  I’m in Canadohta Lake in Crawford County.  

The town of Canadohta Lake has a population of about 600 people.  You can triple or quadruple that number in the summertime.  People love to frolic at the lake.  When they need some hot eats or cold treats, the Canadohta Lake crowd comes to Happi Jax.  They've been coming for 74 years. The current owners are George and Holly Trauner.  They like to tell the history of the business.  They say the first Happi Jax building was right across the road from present day site.

"It was owned by a John Hammond,” says George.  “The way we hear it is everyone said he went by Jack and he was always happy."   

On a summer day, especially on weekends and holidays, the lines are long at Happi Jax.  It's a 74-year tradition to wait in line and order your favorite treat.  There's been ten other owners before the Trauners.  Honoring the history and traditions of this place has always been important.

"There's so much history here at Canadohta Lake and especially Happi Jax,” declares George.  “When we bought the place it was pretty much told to us, it's pretty much in the deed.  The name can't be changed.  It's right in there."  

Next year marks 75 years of Happi Jax.  Yes, there will be a big celebration.

"We would like to see if we can get some of the previous employees just to come back for the day and celebrate with them. The previous owners as well,” says Holly. 

It's appropriate that Debbie Prichard and Ann Bergheim from the Lake Canadohta Historical Society are at Happi Jax during my visit. They know how much Happi Jax has meant to the history of Canadohta Lake.

"There are so many families that have had the same cottages for generations.  They get passed down to their children, their grandchildren. So there's a real sense of community.  Like when you're standing in line at Happi Jax.  You've got three generations or four generations of people who have been coming here for years,” says Ann.

Happi Jax is definitely a big part of the happiness you feel when visiting Canadohta Lake. You feel like breaking out in song.  I remember a jingle about Canadohta Lake that was used in radio and television ads in the 1960s.  Debbie sang it for me.

"Canadohta Lake.  Canadohta Lake.  South of Union City. Off Route 8. Off Route 8."

The historical society is hoping to find a recording of that jingle.  By the way, Canadohta Lake was originally called Washington Lake as early as 1798.  It was named Oil Creek Lake in 1860 and Canadohta Lake in 1894.