About Us | lakeshawnee

Purpose

The Lake Shawnee Club is established for the following:

Promote recreation, enjoyment, good fellowship and community betterment.
Provide and maintain the club properties, facilities and water resources.
Provide and maintain an effective system of administration of the club. To promulgate and enforce the standing rules for the use of the club properties and facilities for the mutual benefit of the membership.
Maintain master deed covenants over the properties in the Reservation. Where deemed appropriate, communicate the needs for community services and Member concerns to government agencies

The Lake Shawnee Reservation was established, developed and incorporated by the Arthur D. Crane Co. in 1946. It is comprised of an 83 acre private lake as well as 6 club properties which include Whites Cove, Beaver Cove, North End, and Beaches 1, 2, & 3. The Club has within it 533 property owners. All property owners are required to become Club Members. A Board of Governors is elected by the membership to oversee the Club in accordance with the Club bylaws. Members in good standing and their guests are entitled to the use of the lake, beaches, docks, clubhouse and club activities. The Board of Governors strives to maintain all of the Club facilities so its members can enjoy its many social and recreational activities. The Club also maintains a number of committees to promote its purpose which include a social committee and an active and successful swim team.

Membership

Membership in the Lake Shawnee Club is required of all persons owning property within the Lake Shawnee Reservation and as per the "Schneider Deed" the master deed of the reservation. Lake Shawnee was established in 1946 and membership is limited to those owning or renting within the lake reservation. On March 14, 2008, the NJ Appellate Court, after a review of the original formation documents of the Lake Shawnee Club, rendered an opinion and upheld that Lake Shawnee is a mandatory membership community. Membership dues are assessed on an annual basis by the Board of Governors based on the operating expenses of the Club as well as reserves that are set aside for capital projects such as dam repair or dredging. Dues billing is mailed in March and payment is due by April 1st. All new property owners, not already a current member, are required to pay a one-time $1060. initiation fee in addition to Club dues.

Since all members are required to follow our bylaws, members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Club bylaws and standing rules. Only members in good standing and their guest are then entitled to full use of the facilities, including the lake, beaches, docks, and clubhouse. They can enjoy swimming, boating, sailing, summer and winter fishing in stocked waters, ice skating, hockey, swim team competitions, volleyball, playgrounds, horseshoes, and social events. There are annual community days, movie nights and camp outs, numerous children's activities, summer ice cream socials, Halloween trunk & treats, winter festival, seniors club, baby & me and more. Guest badges permit non-resident visitors to members' homes to participate as well. Member Guests can take advantage of the numerous amenities and activities that the Club provides.

Of special importance, is the impact that the Club's maintenance of the lake, dam, clubhouse, beaches, docks, and other facilities has on sustaining property values throughout the lake. It is through volunteer efforts as well as membership dues that make this possible. If you are new to Lake Shawnee, please consider this a special invitation to join in our social and volunteer activities, help maintain our community, and enjoy all that the lake has to offer.

Call or visit the Clubhouse between 8:30 am and 12 noon any Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday for more information. Office #973-663-1307.

History of the Club

The native Indian population had largely departed the Morris County region of New Jersey by the mid 1700's and, as the century closed, an emerging iron ore mining and smelting industry drew settlers into the northwest section in increasing numbers. Named for the nation's third president, Jefferson Township was formed from Pequannock and Roxbury Townships in 1804.

Survey Map Hurdtown Area From 1853 Survey Map Of Morris County Map
Courtesy of Robert Den Bleyker

Hurd Family Mansion In Jefferson
Illustration from History of Morris County, Munson & Co., 1882

Hurd Family Iron Mine In Dover
Photo Courtesy Of Jefferson Township Historical Society

About 1800, members of the Hurd family of Dover moved north along what was then known as Union Turnpike, now Route 15, to the location of today's business district just south of Lake Shawnee. By 1820, they had built an iron forge, opened the first store, and established a hotel or "public house." The area became known as Hurdtown and the stream feeding now Lake Shawnee at its northwest corner as Hurd Brook and the Lake itself as Hurd's Pond.

Later, a second major industry developed mining ice to supply the larger cities in New Jersey and New York City. The Brady family ran the largest such enterprise, cutting ice from Lake Hopatcong and Lake Shawnee, the latter then also known as Brady Pond. In 1897, they owned a mansion built earlier by the Hurd family on the site where Gatwyns II restaurant (formerly the Colonial Inn, then Pallis Three) now stands at the entrance to Lake Shawnee.

In 1946, the Arthur D. Crane Company of Sparta, real estate developers, incorporated the Lake Shawnee Club and began selling home sites on the Lake. By 1948, the first two homes were built and during the next 15 years the Club reached its peak of 562 resident members. The Clubhouse was then constructed and First Beach, not included in the original deeds, was subsequently purchased from the Crane Company with funds raised from within the membership.

Arial Photos of Lake Shawnee from 1930

Arial Photos of Lake Shawnee from 2002

Brady Family Ice House
Photo Courtesy of Jefferson Township Historical Society

Sign At Entrance To Lake Shawnee

Photos Courtesy of Steve Wenzel and Family

Crane Company Sales Office 1951
Photos Courtesy of Steve Wenzel and Family

Real Estate Brochures circa 1950's