Greenwood Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greenwood Lake |
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 Greenwood Lake
Location in Passaic County, New Jersey
Greenwood Lake
Location in New Jersey
Greenwood Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Orange County, New York / Passaic County, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 41°10′46″N 74°19′48″W / 41.179461°N 74.329977°W |
| Type | reservoir, natural lake |
| Primary outflows | Wanaque River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,920 acres (7.8 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Islands | Fox Island (a.k.a. Pine Island), Storms Island, Chapel Island |
Greenwood Lake is a beautiful lake that crosses the border between New York and New Jersey. It is about seven miles (12 km) long. You can find it in the Town of Warwick and the Village of Greenwood Lake in Orange County, New York. It also stretches into West Milford, New Jersey in Passaic County, New Jersey. The lake is the starting point for the Wanaque River.
Contents
Discover Greenwood Lake
A Look Back in Time
Long ago, the Munsee Native Americans lived here. They called the lake "Quampium." When Europeans arrived in the 1700s, they settled the area. They used the land for farming and making iron. The Europeans first renamed the lake "Long Pond." Later, it was given the name "Greenwood Lake."
Around 1765, a man named Peter Hasenclever built a dam. This dam made the lake bigger. It helped power ironworks downstream using water power. The first dam was near where Fox Island is today. Most of the lake was north of the state line back then.
In 1837, the lake was dammed again. This time, it was at the spot of the current dam. The Morris Canal & Banking Company built it. They needed water for the Morris Canal. This new, larger lake flooded new areas. It created Chapel Island and extended south.
A Popular Tourist Spot
After the lake became bigger, it started to attract visitors. Around 1874, a railway line reached the lake. It brought many people to the area. This railway later became part of the Erie Railway.
During the resort era, several steamboats sailed on the lake. These boats carried many passengers. Some famous steamboats included the Arlington, Milford, and the large side-wheeler Montclair. The Montclair was built in 1876. It had two decks and could carry hundreds of people. Other smaller steamboats also operated. These boats would meet the trains. They took passengers to different hotels and resorts around the lake.
Fun on the Lake Today
Today, Greenwood Lake is still a busy place. You can find a seaplane area on the lake. There are also several large marinas. Many lakeside restaurants have docks where boats can pull up. Just south of the lake is Greenwood Lake Airport. Its runway is long enough for small jets.
In 2011, a movie called "The Magic of Bell Isle" was filmed here. It starred Morgan Freeman.
Art Inspired by the Lake
The beautiful scenery of Greenwood Lake has inspired artists. Jasper Francis Cropsey was a famous painter. He created many paintings of the lake starting in 1843. Some of his well-known works include American Harvesting (1864) and Greenwood Lake (1870). He also painted Fisherman's House, Greenwood Lake (1877). Cropsey married Maria Cooley in 1847. Her family lived near the lake. This connection made him visit the area for many years.
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Greenwood Lake, Jasper Francis Cropsey, 1870.
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Fisherman's House, Greenwood Lake (New Jersey), Jasper Francis Crospey, 1877.
