The History of Franklin Lakes: Early Habitation

The History of Franklin Lakes-The Clove Rock Shelter.

    Situated along the hiking trail into the Clove is the Clove Rock Shelter. It sits in a narrow ravine south of Franklin Lake. It is a vestige of the earliest inhabitance of Franklin Lakes.  This location is excellent because it affords protection from the elements. From here native bands could exploit the resources of the land. From Butter Cup Falls they could obtain fresh water. Local game was plentiful and fish could be gotten from Franklin Lake.

       In 1913 this site was discovered by Max Schrabisch as part of the Geological Survey of New Jersey-The archaeological survey. Schrabisch felt that this shelter was used by single hunter and whole families. He tested this site and found two distinct occupation levels. The upper level contained pottery fragments. This would date this level to the Woodland Era of occupation. The Woodland era goes from 3000 to  

400 Years B.P. (Before Present) He does not discus the lower level.

         Sadly over the years the artifacts found here have been lost. Also since the location of the rock shelter was published it has been looted. At last inspection it has been dug down to bed rock. All information that this site contained is now lost. But the shelter remains giving testimony to the fact that the early inhabitances knew how to live off the land.