Local history during Native American Heritage Month

November 19, 2021| Arts & Culture, People

By: Marty Kane

Lake Hopatcong was home to bands or groups of Lenape, believed to have been called the Nariticong. The body of water the Lenape knew was approximately twelve feet lower than the lake as we know it today. Writings from early European settlers in the area and artifacts which have been found indicate that the largest Lenape settlement was in an area largely underwater today in the vicinity of Halsey and Raccoon Islands. As a result of the lake’s lower level, these islands were all formerly part of the mainland connected to the area we know today as Prospect Point.

Explorers charting this area of New Jersey around the year 1650 recorded that the village located at the lake was called by its inhabitants Pechquakock. Later maps listed its name as Araughcun. In addition to the village in the Halsey/Raccoon Island area, points, arrowheads, and other artifacts of the Lenape have been found in most areas of the Lake.

We'd like to thank Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum for this local history in celebration of Native American Heritage Month!

Water scene, courtesy of Herbert C. and John T. Kraft

1735 painting of Lenape Chief Lopowinsa, courtesy of the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum

Lenape effigy face found at Lake Hopatcong, courtesy of the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum

Longhouse recreation at Waterloo Village, photo courtesy of the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum