The historical committee can be reached at history@highcrestlake.com, Committee Chair: Deby Ives. Our goal is to share the rich history of our unique community at High Crest Lake. A special thanks to the 70th Anniversary History Team: Caryl Allison, Joanne Crouthamel, Melissa Gianetti, Pat Hart, and Lynn Mandon for all their hard work and diligence! We continue to collect artifacts and pictures, so feel free to reach out at any time to share.
Building a Lake Community
High Crest Lake was developed by Seckler and Shepherd, Inc. In 1949, approximately 200 acres of land was purchased from Pequannock Rubber Company and the Borough of Butler. The farmland was full of blueberry patches at the top of the hill and the stream that tumbles down the mountain ran along the property where the Lake is now. Initially, a pond existed in what is currently the cove area. It was called the “duck pond” and was then separated by a narrow strip of land from the Lake proper.
The current lake basin was cleared of timber in 1950. The dam and spillway were constructed in early 1951. The dam is 440 feet long and approximately 40 feet in depth. The lake started to fill in 1951.The first homes were built and families moved in during this same year. Originally the homes received approval for membership by Seckler & Shepherd, Inc. and “High Crest Lake Estates Country Club” for the development of High Crest Lake Estates. On January 25, 1952, there was an official Certificate of Incorporation of the “High Crest Lake Estates Community Club” filed with the State of New Jersey.
By 1955, approximately 40 homes had been built. Early residents included the Novacks, Ives, Giles, Starrs, Wrolsons, Winterbergers, Pirogs, Hodges, and Gaselbertis to name a few. The road on the east side of the Lake (called East Shore Drive) ended at Hodge’s Corner (now 180 High Crest Drive) and on the west side (called West Shore Drive) ended at Deacon’s Corner (now 302 High Crest Drive). Jill (Deacon) Timony still resides at that residence with her family.
In 1956, only a few houses were built on Upper High Crest and Longview Road at that time. Neither Mallory, Pawnee, nor the lower portions of Upper High Crest were opened. Kay-Len Lake was also purchased by Mr. Seckler in 1956. It had been a public swimming area and the children used to walk through the woods across from the duck pond and buy candy bars there.
In 1958, Northwood Drive was cut through to Macopin Road, giving High Crest a “back gate.” The entrance was closed by a chain for a while and residents needed their key to get in and out of High Crest Lake. The Northwood Drive area was part of the tract of 90 acres referred to as the Kay-Len tract. This is the property north of the cove and includes the original Lodge area (currently the site of the Apshawa Preserve parking lot).
By 1961, the road on the east side of the Lake was extended to the cove. A narrow path connected the cove area to the west shore on the north end of the lake. In 1963, water meters were installed and the residents began paying their first water bills.
In 1967, a road committee was formed. After many deliberations with the town of West Milford, road construction began in the late fall of 1967. There was one problem, however, the project did not include the section of the road in front of the beach and across to the bridge. This section was affectionately referred to as the “Baja” as it contained a few potholes. This slowed traffic, which the “mothers appreciated.” This was corrected with a new road in 1973.
The lake community continued to grow as new homes were built on the High Crest Lake Estates tracts of land. Upper High Crest Road was completed as the road was connected by new homeowners in the 1980 – 1990s. In the mid- and late-2000s, Hearthstone properties and homes were added to the High Crest Lake community.
The Lodge
Prior to the forming of the High Crest Lake Lodge, Inc., there were active Men’s and Women’s Clubs that provided social activities for the residents. The Men’s Club at one time stocked the lake with fish. A constitution and bylaws of “High Crest Lake Lodge, Inc.” were written in 1958. Charter members were those who signed on by November 1, 1958.
The first High Crest Lake Lodge was built in 1959 when thirty residents demolished a log cabin on Rt. 23 and moved it to the existing Kay-Len Pavilion. Revenue was accumulated through a $50 initiation fee, a $200 stock purchase and $20 annual dues. In 1964, the stock purchase was abandoned. A new “Lodge Prospectus” was presented to the membership with architectural plans (see HCL Artifacts). In 1966, the use of the existing Lodge building and about 2 acres of land were purchased from Seckler and Shepherd, Inc. for $1.00. The larger room in the original Lodge was added in approximately 1968.
In 1971, a contract was signed to purchase High Crest Lake and an additional 5 ½ acres around the Lodge building. The purchase price was $72,500. The property was closed on November 1972, and shortly thereafter the beach was renovated and the pier and swim lanes were completed, as well as the boat lockers and the wall that protects the beach. In addition, there were tennis courts adjacent to the original Lodge for many years.
In 1989, full plans to obtain the lot across from the beach and plans to build a new Lodge were presented to the membership. Formal agreements were signed in 1990 with Kaufmann Homes and finalized in October of 1999 with Braemar Homes to exchange lake rights for the property across from the Beach. At the same time a major de-silting project was organized. In 2001, new docks were added and significantly improved the beach area. So, with the property for the new Lodge in hand and a renovated beach area it was time to let our beloved, original Lodge go. An Option to Sell was signed, preserving the existing property on Northwood Drive. The sale of the old Lodge site to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation was finalized on October 27, 2006. This property is now listed as the Apshawa Preserve and is available for all to enjoy. Then, on the 11th of December 2007, the Certificate of Occupancy for 112 High Crest Drive was received, making official the home to our beautiful new Lodge.
As one can see, the construction of both Lodges was a reflection of commitment, vision and lots of hard work by many members of this great community. The plans and contracts for the buildings and grounds over the years can be viewed as part of the High Crest Lake Artifacts.
The Schools
Originally, children from the Lake attended a one-room schoolhouse on Germantown Road near the present location of St. Joseph’s Parish. Hillcrest was subsequently opened and housed K through 8th grades. Shortly thereafter, Paradise Knolls Elementary School was opened and High Crest Lake children attended there. The eight children living here were picked up by a Seckler and Shepherd station wagon and taken to the bus stop at the bottom of the front hill on Rt. 23! Apshawa was opened in October 1966, Maple Road in 1968. High Crest Lake students attended Butler High School until the first graduation class in West Milford in June of 1963.
Recreation
With the High Crest Lake Estates and Lodge as the base organization, there was a swim club, a sailing club, water polo, Lorelei (synchronized swimming), ski club, tennis club, Winter Carnival, and golf tournaments over the years. Many activities and events have been added each year as interest arises. All have been organized and run by HCL community volunteers.
Summary
High Crest Lake has a history of being a close-knit community, one that shares close social and family ties. A number of families who came to High Crest later purchased or built another home at the lake that better suited their needs. Additionally, many children who left for college and careers have returned to High Crest to raise their families. This attests to the quality of the community ~ seventy years strong and counting!
History provided by Glenn Lockenvitz, a former long-time resident beginning in 1961; Jan Ives, born at High Crest in January 1952 and returning with his own family in 1983; and the “Interview History” compiled in 1984 by West Milford High School students from High Crest.