Indian Lake, reservoir and unincorporated community situated 509 feet (155 m) above sea level in Denville, New Jersey
Indian Lake is a reservoir in Denville Township, New Jersey, sitting around 505 feet above sea level and surrounded by rolling hills. The water is framed by thick forests, and the lake spans about 86 acres with homes built along its shoreline.
The lake was created around 1920 by Joseph Righter, who built a dam on a small stream called Den Brook to develop a new community. After Righter's death in 1922, a company took over the land and renamed it Indian Lake, while the lake was shaped by Lenape Island, an ancient Native American settlement site.
The lake's name honors the Lenni Lenape, a tribe that lived in this area for centuries. Today, names like Lenape Island and the lake itself keep this connection alive and shape how the community sees itself.
The lake is managed by the Indian Lake Community Club, which grants access to members only, so check membership requirements beforehand. The location is easily reached via Interstate 80 and US Route 46, though roads get crowded during rush hours.
Since 1927, the community selects a king and queen each summer from among local teenagers, leading to a weekend of parties, dancing, and a parade around the lake. This tradition has endured even through World War II, when alternative titles like Mr. Victory and Miss Liberty were given instead.
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