• History,  Memories,  Persons,  Places

    The Mystery and History of Rotten Pond

    THE MYSTERY AND HISTORY OF ROTTEN POND (RAMAPO LAKE) by Ed Zindel Feb 2015 When I reflect on the impressive list of local angling opportunities that I enjoyed in my youth, the finest warm water fishery was undoubtedly in an impoundment known as Rotten Pond (Rottan? Pond); located on the Oakland – Wanaque border. Furthermore, due to the abundance of large fish in this lake, it was also the most exciting fishing resource that was accessible to me during those cherished years.   From the time I overheard the first whispers about this mountaintop fishing hot spot, the origin of the name “Rotten Pond” (as it was referred to by locals) was…

  • History,  News,  Persons,  Places

    Rotten Pond (Ramapo Lake) Dam

    Ramapo Lake Dam Ed Zindel ARTHUR G. PULIS AND THE ROTTEN POND (RAMAPO LAKE) DAM On October 10, 1927 Mr. Arthur G. Pulis, owner of Oakland Beach and Oakland Grove, penned a letter to the New Jersey Division of Water expressing his “anxiety” over the safety of the Rotten Pond Dam. Included were concerns for his downstream cabins and their inhabitants as well as “the increasing number of new bungalows placed on both sides of the Ramapo”. Just two weeks later, on October 24, 1927, a state engineer performed a safety inspection on the Dam and promptly responded with a letter ensuring Mr. Pulis of its safe condition.   Mr.…

  • History,  Places

    Kanouse Mountain Water Co

    BEVERAGE COMPANIES IN NEW YORK CITY CIRCA WWI Kanouse Mountain Water Co.. (1916, February 29). [Bill of Sale]. Pompeii Papers Collection. Center for Migration Studies. New York, NY. The second image, is a receipt from the Kanouse Mountain Water Company located on 50 Church Street. Water is a necessity in everyone’s life, so it was not unusual for Reverend Anthony Demo to purchase cases of water weekly from the company. The receipt shows that the Kanouse Mountain Water Company provided The Shrine Church of Our Lady of Pompeii with weekly cases of water to help with basic needs of the church. It was a common practice for churches to dilute…