Lake Ariel is a village in Lake and Salem Townships of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, United States. Lake Ariel is part of The Pocono Mountain region.

Located in northeastern Pennsylvania in the Poconos, Lake Ariel was founded by settlers with the name of Jones, and was previously known as Jonestown. Following a name change, Lake Ariel became home to Lake Ariel Park, a major tourist destination for Pennsylvanians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

History

First settled in 1822 by the Jones family, the town was first called The Stock Farm and later Jonestown or Jones Pond. The first farm was located at the south end of the lake. Although when the village was first settled, it was populated by only a few family farms, Jonestown soon expanded due to the Pennsylvania Coal Company's Gravity Railroad. It brought workers and soon businesses were needed to fulfil their needs, including a post office named Ariel, which would later lead to the change in name of the town.

Lake Ariel Park

Lake Ariel Park was a major destination for many in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Media

WCRV 97.7FM is a low-powered station serving Lake Ariel, Cherry Ridge, and Southern Honesdale.

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Image:Theviewoflakeariel2.JPG

Image:LakeArielPAHOTEL.JPG|The Lake Ariel Hotel in recent years. It was torn down in 2011

Image:StThomasMooreSteeple.JPG|The original Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Lake Ariel, the new church is in the background

Image:StThomasMoorePA.JPG|The new Saint Thomas More Catholic Church

Image:LAKESCHOOLPA.JPG|The Lake Ariel Elementary School

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References

  • Hamlin Community Library
  • More Lake Ariel Park Info

Further reading

  • Images of America: Around the Lake, Kurt A. Reed For the Lake Ariel Region Historical Association