[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E826-E827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOROUGH OF HOPATCONG, SUSSEX, COUNTY, NJ

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 1998

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th 
Anniversary of the Borough of Hopatcong, Sussex County, NJ.
  The Borough of Hopatcong, known originally as the Borough of 
Brooklyn, was founded on April 2, 1898 off the western shore of Lake 
Hopatcong, the largest public recreational lake in New Jersey. Although 
the land surrounding the lake was originally settled by the Lenni 
Lenape Indians, by 1715, English colonists attracted by the growing fur 
trade had purchased over 1,000 acres of the lake area.
  The discovery of iron ore in the middle 1700's led to the development 
of a thriving mining industry in the Hopatcong area. The inhabitants of 
Hopatcong at that time, which numbered no greater than 20 families, 
stayed in small communities that were close to the local iron forges. 
The Brookland Forge, one of the most productive in the area, comprised 
four hearths which produced 300 tons of iron per year. While most iron 
was transported east, to be used by various companies in creating metal 
products, high shipping costs

[[Page E827]]

eventually led to a decline in the industry by the early 19th century.
  As the iron industry in the area waned, a decision in the last 
1800's, to dam and merge the two lakes constituting Lake Hopatcong led 
to a rapid increase in tourism within the vicinity of Hopatcong. Due to 
the pleasant climate and proximity to New York City, the lake area soon 
became a major northeastern resort and began to experience high levels 
of prosperity. By the late 1800's Hopatcong was still part of Byram 
Township, one of three municipalities bordering the lake at that time. 
As many summer cottages were built in the surrounding towns, Hopatcong 
residents became increasingly dissatisfied with the pace of development 
in their own community.
  After some debate, Hopatcong residents decided that officially 
separating from Byram would allow them to build new roads and make 
other necessary improvements near the Lake to attract tourists. In 
1898, Hopatcong residents were finally granted the right to incorporate 
as an independent municipality, and the Borough soon developed into a 
popular resort community. Today, Hopatcong remains a vibrant 
residential area with a growing business community and a population of 
over 15,000 persons.
  Mr. Speaker, for the past 100 years, the Borough of Hopatcong has 
prospered as a community and continues to flourish today. By all 
accounts, it will continue to prosper in the future, and I ask you, Mr. 
Speaker, and my colleagues to congratulate all residents of Hopatcong 
on this special anniversary year.

                          ____________________