A little history
According to legend, Smoke Rise was once the hunting grounds of the Lenni-Lenape Indians who gave it the name “The Land Where the Smoke Rises.” The heart of Smoke Rise is Lake Kinnelon which serves as the hub of year-round activities.
The Kinney Family enjoyed this property for many years as a self-contained country gentleman’s estate, maintaining its own stables, blacksmith shops, greenhouses, piggery, firehouse, and icehouse. Most of the buildings on Perimeter Road were built from native rock in the late 1800s. The structures housing the Smoke Rise Village Inn Restaurant were part of the original stables and barns where Brown Swiss cattle and carriages were kept. The repair shop was the piggery and the Smoke Rise Club Office was the firehouse. For his wife, Mr. Kinney built St. Hubert’s Chapel, the exquisite small chapel located in the middle of Lake Kinnelon. Smoke Rise residents used it on many occasions as a house of worship before the erection of the Smoke Rise Community Church in 1956.
In 1945, the last Kinney descendant, Morris Kinney, passed away and bequeathed the Kinney estate, to his dear friend, John Alden Talbot, Sr. In 1946, Mr. Talbot formally established the Smoke Rise Club, Inc., as a planned living community that honored its natural surroundings. Smoke Rise was conceived and based on a duel philosophy that no two homes would look alike with a minimum size of 2500 square feet located on a one and a half acre wooded lot. As we say in Smoke Rise, it is “created by nature, preserved by man”.
Kinnelon
The Borough of Kinnelon is one of North Jersey’s most sought after communities. Kinnelon is a family friendly community with great schools and stunning homes nestled in between picturesque lakes and mountains, giving it a Mayberry feel. Kinnelon Public Schools have been ranked between #3 and 40 in New Jersey consistently over the past 10 years. Students typically attend 4 year colleges and perform very well on standardized testing.
The beauty of Kinnelon is filled with winding roads, hills, lakes, reservoirs, and streams. The landscape changes with the seasons and the views are breathtaking. Come for a visit to see for yourself!
New Jersey truly has it all and Kinnelon is in a prime location to access all that this beautiful state has to offer. More importantly, Kinnelon is just 35 miles from Manhattan and all of the New York City fun and excitement. Kinnelon is served by New Jersey Transit at the Meadtown Shopping Plaza. Within a short drive, express New Jersey Transit Buses and Trains can be taken from the Wayne Transit Station.
Many exciting and historical places to see are just a short drive from Smoke Rise. Kinnelon is also surrounded by some of the most prestigious and well-known private high schools and universities in the country.
Real Estate
Houses in Smoke Rise are owned in fee simple. Therefore, individual owners place their homes for sale on the market. The Smoke Rise Office does not maintain a list of homes for sale. The best way to find your dream home in Smoke Rise is to contact a local realtor in the Kinnelon area who can assist you in your search.
