Meet Logan and Lee Steele, the couple behind one of the Poconos’ most beloved private communities, Lake Naomi. Logan Steele wasn’t just a visionary developer; he was a man who saw a wild stretch of woods and lakes in Pocono Pines and imagined something extraordinary: a vibrant, family-friendly haven built around nature, recreation, and community spirit. With his wife, Lee Steele, by his side, the two were spirited, strong-willed, and equally passionate, pouring their heart and souls into transforming the region. Together, they helped shape not just a destination, but a way of life that generations have come to love. From sailing regattas to tennis courts, from cozy cabins to lakeside memories, Logan and Lee Steele left a legacy written in pine needles and campfire smoke. Their story is one of ambition, adventure, and a deep love for an area they also called home.
Logan Steele played a pivotal role in shaping Lake Naomi into the premier private resort community it is today. In 1963, he and his family acquired approximately 2,600–3,000 acres surrounding Lake Naomi in Pocono Pines, PA. Under his guidance, that vast tract was transformed from undeveloped land into what became the Lake Naomi Club and the neighboring Timber Trails community. Logan Steele placed great emphasis on thoughtful planning and architectural standards, ensuring that homes blended harmoniously into the woodland setting. This design philosophy continues to influence the communities of Lake Naomi and Timber Trails in Pocono Pines, PA.
Logan Boone Steele was born on April 9, 1929, in Summit, New Jersey. He was the son of Robert N. Steele and Bernice C. Steele. By 1940, the Steele family resided in Summit, Union County, New Jersey.
Both Logan and a classmate and friend, Harry J. Schoettle, were graduates of Princeton University, Class of 1951, and would later reconnect on the Lake Naomi development project.
Logan would, after college, go on to serve in the United States Navy, enlisting on July 1, 1951, during the Korean War era, and was honorably discharged on June 13, 1953. After his military service, he pursued a career in civil engineering and planning, eventually becoming known for his pivotal role in the development of Lake Naomi in the Pocono Mountains during the early 1960s.
Meet the Original Lake Naomi Development Team
Meet the Original Lake Naomi Development Team (we have a link to a deeper dive at the end of this research).
| Stakeholder | Role |
| Logan Steele | Investor, purchaser (~2,600 acres acquisition), operational leadership |
| Harry J. Schoettle | Principal developer, vision, financing structure |
| Carl W. Fiers | Negotiated the land deals enabling the acquisition by Steele & Schoettle |
Logan and Lee were very close to Logan’s business partner, “Uncle” Harry Schoettle, and his wife, “Aunt” Jackie Schoettle. Harry J. Schoettle was a key figure in the development of the Lake Naomi and Timber Trails communities, working in partnership with the Steele family between approximately 1971 and 1987. Schoettle and Steele helped transform a scenic Poconos region into a thriving residential resort with significant real estate, leisure, and natural preservation components. The four of them spent their days building up Lake Naomi/Timber Trails in Pocono Pines, PA, while finding time to relax in Ft Lauderdale when the ground was frozen in the Poconos.
Lee Mildred Engelking Steele
Flying for United took Lee Engelking from Iowa to Newark, New Jersey, where she shared an apartment with three other United Airlines flight attendants: Dee Claflin, Mary Lou Roux, and Mary Ann Corradi, who introduced Lee to Logan. Mary Ann was engaged to James Corradi, Logan’s childhood buddy and current roommate. Though skeptical at first, Lee eventually warmed to Logan’s charm and his horrific dance moves, and, looking past his initial musical challenges, they began to date. Logan and Lee would marry in January 1958 in Englewood, Florida, when he was 28 years old. Lee was 23.
The couple would go without kids for a few years, then go on to have two children, Jeff in 1961 and Val in 1964. They were encouraged to go out into the world and not stay at home for too long. Val was able to live and work close to Lee, providing love and comfort throughout the years, while Jeff was traveling and working in galaxies “far, far away.” Christmas was special to Lee because it was guaranteed family time, and she decorated and planned for many beautiful, delicious, and happy holiday celebrations.
Just five years after their marriage, the Steeles’ lives would change forever. On September 3, 1963, it was announced that Logan, his father, and several investors would invest $400,000 and purchase over 2,600 acres, including the 277-acre Naomi Lake, in the Pocono Mountains, from the Miller family.
Logan’s legacy remains most visible in the transformation of Lake Naomi from a seasonal retreat into a hugely successful planned residential and recreational community in Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania. Timber Trails followed in Lake Naomi’s footsteps.
Logan passed away on September 14, 1986, in Fort Lauderdale, at just 57 years old survived by his wife Lee and their two children, Jeffrey and Valerie.
After Logan’s death, Lee would continue to maintain a presence on Lake Naomi while also living in their home in Ft. Lauderdale.
Lee passed away peacefully at her home on June 24, 2023, following a long, adventurous, and well-lived life and career. She is lovingly remembered by her sister, Doris Engelking Sandberg; her brother, Richard “Rick” Engelking; her children, Valerie Steele and Jeffrey Callaway Steele (Chrissy); and her cherished grandchildren, Logan Steele Herrera, Annalicia, Boone, and Olivia Steele. She also leaves behind eight nephews, two nieces, and a wide circle of “grand” relatives spread across the country. Lee’s absence will be deeply felt by her devoted family and the many dear friends who came to know and love her for her warmth, spontaneity, and her unmistakable “pull-no-punches” spirit.
She will be missed by all of her family members, and the many dear friends who came to know and love her for her generosity, unpredictability, and “pull-no-punches” attitude.
Honoring the History of the Lake Naomi / Pocono Pines Region
What are Others Reading This Week? Top 5 MLH Posts Right Now
