Rock Lodge Club
Encyclopedia
Rock Lodge is a family-oriented nonprofit nudist club located on 145 acre (0.5867947 km²) of privately-owned land in the New Jersey Highlands of Northern New Jersey
, about 40 miles (64.4 km) from Manhattan
, New York
.
Social nudism started at Rock Lodge in 1932. Currently, nonmember visits to Rock Lodge are arranged through an inquiry at the club website.
The club surrounds a spring
-fed lake which is over 1000 feet (304.8 m) above sea level, where summer temperatures are generally about 10 degrees cooler than in New York City
. Club activities include swimming, tennis, hiking, volleyball, boating, sailing, and badminton. In addition to its lake, a clubhouse, and its eponymous, historic Stone House (described below), facilities include hard and clay tennis courts, a sauna and hot tub. Club members and visitors represent a diverse group of ages (from babies to senior citizens) and cultures. Social activities include seasonal parties, kids' activities (such as a Lake Day), and a Sunday afternoon Coffee Klatch, where members serve up a meal for everyone present.
CNN correspondent Jeanne Moos visited Rock Lodge and interviewed several people. One told her they found the experience to be a "great stress reliever." Another described it as "very natural."
"They tend to have a sense of humor," Moos quipped after one person described the convenience of visiting a destination where you only need to pack a small bag with just a few clothes. "There are plenty of kids," she reported. "They love running around without clothes: the whole atmosphere seemed wholesome, sort of back to nature." She added, "the mood is anything but sexy, the bodies come in all shapes and sizes, young and old."
In the late nineteenth century, A. L. A. Himmelwright
, an engineer at the Roebling Construction Company, bought the land that today is used by Rock Lodge nudist club. Prior to this, the property, located in the Stockholm
area of Hardyston Township, New Jersey
in the New Jersey Highlands, was used for timber and agriculture. There is also evidence of iron prospecting, possibly connected to a Thomas Edison
mine works located nearby.
In 1904–1905, Himmelwright used oxen to dredge a swamp, and built a dam to create a lake fed by a stream located near the lake, as well as by 17 underwater springs. This main spring is mentioned in deeds and early leases as a water supply for surrounding neighbors as well as for Rock Lodge.
In 1907, Himmelwright erected a "model fireproof farmhouse", now known as the Stone House, which features a poured concrete roof, stained glass, a basement with coal furnace, and a state-of-the-art (in its day) water supply system which pumped water from the spring to a holding tank on the third floor. In 2007, to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the Stone House, the original plans for the construction of the building were reproduced. A booklet containing the plans is available from the club for $15 (US) plus shipping.
Other early buildings that are still standing and in use today included a stable (now known as the Hacienda that houses the Club's office), an ice house, where, prior to the availability of refrigeration, ice harvested from the lake in the winter was stored for use through the summer. Around 1919, Himmelwright built a bungalow (clubhouse), when the property was being used as a training camp for boxers
-- during the Roaring Twenties
the property was a training camp for Jack Dempsey
and other boxers. Amenities for the boxers included an indoor handball court and coal heat, with a fireplace and living room.
During the Great Depression
, Herman Shoshinsky leased the property as the proprietor of the American Gymnosophical Association
, and nudism came to Rock Lodge.
In 1938 or 1939, the property was bought by Francis E. DePaolo, a chiropractor
who lived across Rock Lodge Road near the spring. In 1942, Dr. DePaolo and Shoshinsky had a falling out, and the A.G.A. moved to Newfoundland, New Jersey
. Rock Lodge as a cooperative nudist club began that year with a one year lease. In 1946, a 10-year lease was negotiated with DePaolo, and summer cabins began to appear, though some may have been built in the 1930s. In 1957, a 40-year lease was signed, and a building boom occurred. Along with summer cabins, much of the club infrastructure was built in the late 1950s and 1960s.
By the late 1980s, the end of a 40-year lease was in the near future, and several attempts were made to organize a purchase by members. In 1990, Rock Properties Inc. was formed as a nonprofit organization, and money was raised by members for the purchase of 35 acres (141,640.1 m²). Another land purchase was made in 1995, bringing the total present club to 145 acre (0.5867947 km²).
Rock Lodge Club is a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation
.
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, about 40 miles (64.4 km) from Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
The club surrounds a spring
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
-fed lake which is over 1000 feet (304.8 m) above sea level, where summer temperatures are generally about 10 degrees cooler than in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Club activities include swimming, tennis, hiking, volleyball, boating, sailing, and badminton. In addition to its lake, a clubhouse, and its eponymous, historic Stone House (described below), facilities include hard and clay tennis courts, a sauna and hot tub. Club members and visitors represent a diverse group of ages (from babies to senior citizens) and cultures. Social activities include seasonal parties, kids' activities (such as a Lake Day), and a Sunday afternoon Coffee Klatch, where members serve up a meal for everyone present.
CNN correspondent Jeanne Moos visited Rock Lodge and interviewed several people. One told her they found the experience to be a "great stress reliever." Another described it as "very natural."
"They tend to have a sense of humor," Moos quipped after one person described the convenience of visiting a destination where you only need to pack a small bag with just a few clothes. "There are plenty of kids," she reported. "They love running around without clothes: the whole atmosphere seemed wholesome, sort of back to nature." She added, "the mood is anything but sexy, the bodies come in all shapes and sizes, young and old."
History
A. L. A. Himmelwright
Abraham Lincoln Artman Himmelwright , a civil engineer, author, adventurer, and marksman was the general manager of The Roebling Construction Company, the New York City firm created by bridge engineer John A. Roebling...
, an engineer at the Roebling Construction Company, bought the land that today is used by Rock Lodge nudist club. Prior to this, the property, located in the Stockholm
Stockholm, New Jersey
Stockholm, New Jersey is an unincorporated area, located in the southeastern part of Hardyston Township in Sussex County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its ZIP Code is 07460...
area of Hardyston Township, New Jersey
Hardyston Township, New Jersey
Hardyston Township is a Township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 6,171.-Geography:...
in the New Jersey Highlands, was used for timber and agriculture. There is also evidence of iron prospecting, possibly connected to a Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
mine works located nearby.
In 1904–1905, Himmelwright used oxen to dredge a swamp, and built a dam to create a lake fed by a stream located near the lake, as well as by 17 underwater springs. This main spring is mentioned in deeds and early leases as a water supply for surrounding neighbors as well as for Rock Lodge.
In 1907, Himmelwright erected a "model fireproof farmhouse", now known as the Stone House, which features a poured concrete roof, stained glass, a basement with coal furnace, and a state-of-the-art (in its day) water supply system which pumped water from the spring to a holding tank on the third floor. In 2007, to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the Stone House, the original plans for the construction of the building were reproduced. A booklet containing the plans is available from the club for $15 (US) plus shipping.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
-- during the Roaring Twenties
Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties is a phrase used to describe the 1920s, principally in North America, but also in London, Berlin and Paris for a period of sustained economic prosperity. The phrase was meant to emphasize the period's social, artistic, and cultural dynamism...
the property was a training camp for Jack Dempsey
Jack Dempsey
William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was an American boxer who held the world heavyweight title from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first...
and other boxers. Amenities for the boxers included an indoor handball court and coal heat, with a fireplace and living room.
During the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, Herman Shoshinsky leased the property as the proprietor of the American Gymnosophical Association
American Gymnosophical Association
The American Gymnosophical Association was organized circa 1930 by Herman and Katherine Soshinski. It was one of 3 spin-off groups from the League for Physical Culture that had been organized by Kurt Barthel in 1929. Dr...
, and nudism came to Rock Lodge.
In 1938 or 1939, the property was bought by Francis E. DePaolo, a chiropractor
Chiropractor
A Chiropractor, according to the Association of Chiropractic Colleges , "focuses on the relationship between the body's main structures – the skeleton, the muscles and the nerves – and the patient's health. Chiropractors believe that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to...
who lived across Rock Lodge Road near the spring. In 1942, Dr. DePaolo and Shoshinsky had a falling out, and the A.G.A. moved to Newfoundland, New Jersey
Newfoundland, New Jersey
Newfoundland is an unincorporated area in West Milford, New Jersey, Jefferson Township, and Rockaway Township. It is located along the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway tracks and Route 23. It is the mailing address of Green Pond, a private lake that is in Rockaway Township. Newfoundland...
. Rock Lodge as a cooperative nudist club began that year with a one year lease. In 1946, a 10-year lease was negotiated with DePaolo, and summer cabins began to appear, though some may have been built in the 1930s. In 1957, a 40-year lease was signed, and a building boom occurred. Along with summer cabins, much of the club infrastructure was built in the late 1950s and 1960s.
By the late 1980s, the end of a 40-year lease was in the near future, and several attempts were made to organize a purchase by members. In 1990, Rock Properties Inc. was formed as a nonprofit organization, and money was raised by members for the purchase of 35 acres (141,640.1 m²). Another land purchase was made in 1995, bringing the total present club to 145 acre (0.5867947 km²).
Rock Lodge Club is a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation
American Association for Nude Recreation
The American Association for Nude Recreation is a nudist organization in the United States. Founded in 1931, the organization advocates nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings. The AANR charters approximately 259 independent U.S. nudist resorts and parks...
.
See also
- A. L. A. HimmelwrightA. L. A. HimmelwrightAbraham Lincoln Artman Himmelwright , a civil engineer, author, adventurer, and marksman was the general manager of The Roebling Construction Company, the New York City firm created by bridge engineer John A. Roebling...
, the engineer and designer of the Stone House and Rock Lodge environs. - NaturismNaturismNaturism or nudism is a cultural and political movement practising, advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism....