Lake Mohawk, also known as "The Reservation" consists of 2500 acres, 2600 families with approximately 7000 people, and is located within Sparta Township. There are three lakes within The Reservation:
The Main Lake (the largest) covers 800 acres. On this lake there is power boating, sailing, rowboating, canoeing, and kayaking. Eight beaches surround the Main Lake, and fully accredited lifeguards are on duty from mid-June through Labor Day. While residents of the Reservation and their guests (guest passes required) may visit any beach, many have a favorite beach and plan parties, other events, and clean-ups there creating a real sense of community. Sparta Health Department checks every beach once a week to comply with the New Jersey bathing regulations. Lake Mohawk is the recipient of awards for clean and healthy water.
The Upper Lake is 25 acres with one swimming beach allows small sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. The Upper Lake is a favorite for parents of small children. (Children at each lake must be accompanied by an adult.)
The Alpine Pool is an 8-acre man-made pool with its own waterfall. Only residents of the Alpine area may join this pool for a small additional yearly fee.
Fishing is permitted in the Main Lake and the Upper Lake with a "catch and release" policy.
Since Lake Mohawk is a private lake and is administered by the Lake Mohawk Country Club, each family pays an initiation fee when joining and then an ongoing yearly fee. The initiation fee as of January 2009 is $3000. Club charges are $775 annually plus CPI Percent Yearly Increase. Gate charges are an additional $215 (with building) and $170 (without building.) Gate charges apply to property located "between the gates" on the west side of the Main Lake.
A monthly magazine, The Papoose is mailed to the membership and contains news pertaining to the Reservation.
The Boardwalk Club is a seasonal restaurant open for dining from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Many people take their boats to the Club, tie up, and then enjoy lunch or dinner with beautiful views of the Lake. During the year the Club also hosts special events for New Year's Eve, Mother's Day, a Fourth of July celebration with a fantastic fireworks display (a real favorite of residents,) and a Tree Lighting Party which opens the holiday season. (These are just some of the events to enjoy.) One of my fellow Century 21 agents who lives on the Lake told me recently that she and her husband and friends love to go to the lobster dinner held at the Club during the summer.
Lake Mohawk, the largest private lake in New Jersey, has a rich history. The site of present-day Lake Mohawk was originally a valley with a stream running through it. The Crane Company which had built lakes before began the work which would ultimately transform the valley into the Main Lake in January 1926. In August 1926, the gate of the dam built by the Crane Company was closed and the lake began to fill. In May 1927 when the lake was still not full, the first house was started, and then on June 26, 1927 the lake celebrated its opening day for the general public. By the end of 1927, there were 300 members of Lake Mohawk and in 1928, 700 members.
Progress continued. In 1935 a new school was built and the unique Colonial Village which resembles parts of Williamsburg, Virginia, was begun on the shores of the Upper Lake. The Alpine section opened later.
In 1988, the Lake Mohawk Country Club, White Deer Plaza, and the Boardwalk were placed on the State and National Register of Historic Places.
As a Realtor, I hear again and again how much people love living in Lake Mohawk with its real sense of friendliness and community. It's interesting that many people who grew up as children in Lake Mohawk and then moved away as adults return to Lake Mohawk as soon as they are able to do so.
At the end of this page are statistics for Lake Mohawk/Sparta real estate with minimum, maximum, and median numbers for active listings, listings under contract, and sold properties. (DOM=Days on Market). Garden State eliminated Lake Mohawk as a separate listing area, so now all homes in Lake Mohawk are listed under Sparta. This was done to avoid statistical errors as many agents listed their Lake Mohawk homes in two areas - thereby making it seem as though there were more homes for sale than there actually were.
No signs are allowed in Lake Mohawk, so it's impossible to drive through looking for available homes.
Let me know if I can help you find your own special Lake Mohawk home.