LAKE RONKONKOMA , LONG ISLAND

Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island

Lake Ronkonkoma is a hamlet and census-designated place located in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. It is within the Town of Brookhaven with portions in the Town of Islip and Smithtown whose name comes from the glacier created kettle-hole Lake of the same name. Lake Ronkonkoma served as a boundary between lands occupied by four Indian communities such as Nissequogues, Setaukets, Secatogues, and Unkechaugs. As of the 2000 census, there were 19,701 people, 6,700 households, and 5,011 families residing in the CDP. The median income for a household in the CDP was $60,209, and the median income for a family was $67,375. Males had a median income of $50,715 versus $34,301 for females. The latitude of Lake Ronkonkoma is 40.835N. The longitude is -73.131W. It is in the Eastern Standard time zone. Elevation is 72 feet.

The Native Indians and European settlers both observed that the water level in the area tends to rise and fall out of proportion to local precipitation. It spread over almost 250 acres which the water body has been conserved with great care. It is clearly at the center of the town's value and reputation. Lake Ronkonkoma is the largest freshwater lake on Long Island and it surrounds the lake itself which is in the jurisdiction by three different townships namely the Islip, Brookhaven, and Smithtown. The community name derives from the Indian term for "boundary fishing place". The area was once a resort town until it experienced a sudden increase of population in the mid-1900s. Lake Ronkonkoma was considered the most sacred lake by the Indians and it was also their meeting point. The tribes controlled different parts of it and a story of a Native American princess could not have lived in what is now Ronkonkoma; a major point of for the princess and her lover who ran off from their own settlement to the lake. In addition, the Indians did not live anywhere near the lake but lived near the coasts of the island.

Notable people living in Lake Ronkonkoma include Jumbo Elliott (American football player), Maude Adams (Broadway actress), David E. Grange, Jr. (U.S. Army Lieutenant General), and Michael E. Ebert (writer). Maude Adams was very popular for her portrayal of Peter Pan during the Victorian era. Most of its resident’s ancestries were Italian, Irish, German, English, Polish, and Puerto Rican. The area is served by Lake Ronkonkoma School Districts which has five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Some parts of Lake Ronkonkoma are also served by Sachem Central School District as well as some areas of Lake Grove and Nesconset. Lake Ronkonkoma was a famous spot for wealthy people from New York to spend their summer vacations in the earlier part of the 20th century. In addition to the lake beaches, the area has also a recreation center, senior center, ball courts, playground, and a picnic area; a perfect place for spending time together with family.

--- A tale from Lake Ronkonkoma's Past