Lake Ronkonkoma, New York
Encyclopedia
Lake Ronkonkoma is a hamlet
(and census-designated place
) in Suffolk County, New York
, United States
. The population was 19,701 at the 2000 census.
Lake Ronkonkoma is located in the town of Brookhaven
, but has small sections in the Town of Smithtown
.
Sachem High School North is located in Lake Ronkonkoma.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²), all land.
, adjacent to the hamlet, is the largest lake on Long Island. The land surrounding the lake itself is in the jurisdiction of Islip. The elevation of the lake surface is given as 55 feet (16.8 m) on the most recent USGS map, but as the lake is a "groundwater lake," not fed by streams, it has no surface outlet and its water surface reflects the current level of the local water table. This can undergo significant changes over time and the lake level experiences slow periods of rise and fall. In the late 1960s it was quite low; after several intermediate changes in level, in 2007 the lake was higher than at any time since, with a difference of well over five feet between the 1960s low and the 2007 high.
As a result of the lake's existence, Lake Ronkonkoma was once a resort town, until the area experienced a population explosion in the mid-1900s. Remnants of old resorts and hotels can still be seen around the lake's shores. Many summer cottages and bungalows from that period remain, now converted to year-round use.
The lake is the subject of a number of urban legends, mainly rooted in the area's rich Native American heritage. For example: 1. It's bottomless (and/or empties into the Long Island Sound or other waterways). In fact, the lake is relatively deep (approx. 100 feet) at its southeastern side, and is what's known as a kettle hole lake; 2. Every year the lake sacrifices someone. Specifically, "The Lady of the Lake" calls young men out to the middle of the lake and drowns them. In all versions, the lady is an Indian princess who herself drowned in the lake, for reasons that vary depending on the story. 3. There is a mysterious rise and fall of the lake that doesn't have any noticeable relationship to local rainfall totals. This has not been sufficiently explained either way.
The most popular story is that every year two lovers from somewhere in the area are killed by the Native American princess. Usually it is in an automobile accident because of the angry spirit.
The Native Americans in Suffolk County, as opposed to Nassau County (then a part of Queens County) got along well with the white English. In the Dutch west end of the Island there was bitter fighting between the Native Americans and the Dutch.
There is some kernel of truth in the story. The lake was considered the most sacred lake by the Indians and it was also the meeting point. The tribes controlled different parts of it. One thing is certain, the Native American princess could not have lived in what is now Ronkonkoma; a major point of the story is that the princess and her lover ran off from their own settlement to the lake. In addition the Indians did not live anywhere near the lake. They lived near the coasts of the Island.
of 2000, there were 19,701 people, 6,700 households, and 5,011 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 4,093.1 per square mile (1,649.2/km²). There were 6,949 housing units at an average density of 1,814.4/sq mi (646.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.4% White, 1.4% African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.41% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races
, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.9% of the population.
There were 6,700 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.32.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
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 per capita income
for the CDP was $23,233. About 3.1% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
(and census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
) in Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 19,701 at the 2000 census.
Lake Ronkonkoma is located in the town of Brookhaven
Brookhaven, New York
The Town of Brookhaven is one of the ten towns into which Suffolk County, New York, United States, has been divided. Part of the New York metropolitan area, it is located in central Suffolk County and is the only town in the county that stretches from the North Shore to the South Shore of Long...
, but has small sections in the Town of Smithtown
Smithtown, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 115,715 people, 38,487 households, and 31,482 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,159.9 people per square mile . There were 39,357 housing units at an average density of 734.6 per square mile...
.
Sachem High School North is located in Lake Ronkonkoma.
Geography
Lake Ronkonkoma is located at 40°49′47"N 73°6′47"W (40.829709, -73.113015).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²), all land.
History
The actual lake, Lake RonkonkomaRonkonkoma Lake
Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island's largest freshwater lake, is in Suffolk County, New York, and has a circumference of about , and is across on average....
, adjacent to the hamlet, is the largest lake on Long Island. The land surrounding the lake itself is in the jurisdiction of Islip. The elevation of the lake surface is given as 55 feet (16.8 m) on the most recent USGS map, but as the lake is a "groundwater lake," not fed by streams, it has no surface outlet and its water surface reflects the current level of the local water table. This can undergo significant changes over time and the lake level experiences slow periods of rise and fall. In the late 1960s it was quite low; after several intermediate changes in level, in 2007 the lake was higher than at any time since, with a difference of well over five feet between the 1960s low and the 2007 high.
As a result of the lake's existence, Lake Ronkonkoma was once a resort town, until the area experienced a population explosion in the mid-1900s. Remnants of old resorts and hotels can still be seen around the lake's shores. Many summer cottages and bungalows from that period remain, now converted to year-round use.
The lake is the subject of a number of urban legends, mainly rooted in the area's rich Native American heritage. For example: 1. It's bottomless (and/or empties into the Long Island Sound or other waterways). In fact, the lake is relatively deep (approx. 100 feet) at its southeastern side, and is what's known as a kettle hole lake; 2. Every year the lake sacrifices someone. Specifically, "The Lady of the Lake" calls young men out to the middle of the lake and drowns them. In all versions, the lady is an Indian princess who herself drowned in the lake, for reasons that vary depending on the story. 3. There is a mysterious rise and fall of the lake that doesn't have any noticeable relationship to local rainfall totals. This has not been sufficiently explained either way.
The most popular story is that every year two lovers from somewhere in the area are killed by the Native American princess. Usually it is in an automobile accident because of the angry spirit.
The Native Americans in Suffolk County, as opposed to Nassau County (then a part of Queens County) got along well with the white English. In the Dutch west end of the Island there was bitter fighting between the Native Americans and the Dutch.
There is some kernel of truth in the story. The lake was considered the most sacred lake by the Indians and it was also the meeting point. The tribes controlled different parts of it. One thing is certain, the Native American princess could not have lived in what is now Ronkonkoma; a major point of the story is that the princess and her lover ran off from their own settlement to the lake. In addition the Indians did not live anywhere near the lake. They lived near the coasts of the Island.
Lake Ronkonkoma in popular culture
- The Brookhaven Town Beach and Park on the eastern side of Lake Ronkonkoma in Brookhaven Town has been renamed in honor of Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy. LT Murphy who is the posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor presented to his parents, Daniel and Maureen, on October 22, 2007 by President George W. Bush. LT Murphy is the first sailor since Vietnam more than 35 years ago to receive the Medal of Honor and the only Navy recipient for actions in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The park that bears his name is now known as Navy SEAL LT Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park. It is a fitting tribute since LT Murphy was head Lifeguard and Beach Manager of this park and beach during high school and summer recess from college. Navy SEAL Lt. Murphy is buried at Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island NY.:----/
- Ronkonkoma is referenced in two songs by singer/songwriter Mike Doughty: "Busting Up a Starbucks" and "Like a Luminous Girl."
- Ronkonkoma was referenced by Artie Lange during the March 3rd, 2009 taping of the Late Show with David Letterman. The comic recounted a story of sitting in front of a fan at Yankees games who repeatedly cheers on Derek Jeter by shouting, "Do it for Ronkonkoma!"
- In the American television series from the 1970s, All In The FamilyAll in the FamilyAll in the Family is an American sitcom that was originally broadcast on the CBS television network from January 12, 1971, to April 8, 1979. In September 1979, a new show, Archie Bunker's Place, picked up where All in the Family had ended...
, the character Edith Bunker reminisced about a weekend she spent at the Lake with a boy she was dating, and his parents. The boy grew up to be a hot tar watcher. - Two characters in the movie 200 Cigarettes200 Cigarettes200 Cigarettes is a 1999 comedy-drama film starring Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Dave Chappelle, Guillermo Díaz, Angela Featherstone, Janeane Garofalo, Gaby Hoffman, Kate Hudson, Courtney Love, Jay Mohr, Martha Plimpton, Christina Ricci and Paul Rudd. The film also features paintings by Sally...
are visiting New York City from Ronkonoma. - Gino's Pizza
- "These Are the Rules" a YA novel by Paul Many (Random House, 1998) is set in "White Sand Lake"--a thinly-veiled reference to Lake Ronkonkoma--and includes the Indian legend as a plot device.
- In a 1992 "Mad About You" episode, Paul and Jamie Buchman briefly discuss buying a home in Lake Ronkonkoma
Notable residents and natives
- Maude AdamsMaude AdamsMaude Ewing Kiskadden , known professionally as Maude Adams, was an American stage actress who achieved her greatest success as Peter Pan. Adams's personality appealed to a large audience and helped her become the most successful and highest-paid performer of her day, with a yearly income of more...
(stage actress) - Jumbo Elliott (American football player)
- David E. Grange, Jr. (U.S. Army Lieutenant General)
- Joe JonesJoe Jones (basketball coach)Joseph "Joe" Jones is the head coach of Boston University's men's basketball team. He served one season as an associate head coach for Boston College's men's basketball team and was previously the head coach at Columbia University. In 2006-07, the Ronkonkoma, New York, native led the Columbia Lions...
- basketball coach - Moira KellyMoira KellyMoira Kelly is an American actress. She is best known for playing single mother Karen Roe on the teen drama One Tree Hill. She also directed two episodes of the series: "Resolve" and "I Slept with Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me"...
(actress) - Lennon MurphyLennon MurphyLennon Anne Murphy, named after musician John Lennon, is a singer-songwriter out of Hendersonville, Tennessee, United States.-Early life:Murphy was born in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, New York on March 31, 1982. When she was four years old, Murphy and her mother moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee,...
(singer/songwriter) - Steve ParkSteve Park (NASCAR)Stephen Park is a professional race car driver. Park is currently racing in the #35 Waste Management Recycle America Monte Carlo in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East....
(Islip) - NASCAR Driver - John Negron (singer/songwriter/arranger)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 19,701 people, 6,700 households, and 5,011 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,093.1 per square mile (1,649.2/km²). There were 6,949 housing units at an average density of 1,814.4/sq mi (646.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.4% White, 1.4% African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.41% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.9% of the population.
There were 6,700 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.32.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
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 per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $23,233. About 3.1% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.