Little background first:
In 1895, Lake Naomi was created when Thomas and Rufus Miller constructed a 14-foot dam across Tunkhannock Creek in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Initially intended for ice harvesting and modest recreation, the resulting lake was named “Naomi” after Miller’s daughter. As the lake’s popularity grew, its shores were gradually subdivided for summer cottages, laying the foundation for the vibrant residential and recreational community that would emerge in the early 1960s. Let’s meet that team.
The project would be the brainchild of Logan Steele, a Princeton University engineer from Summit, New Jersey. In 1963, Logan Steele and private investors acquired approximately 2,600–2,760 acres around the lake, forming the Lake Naomi Development Corporation. The corporation developed the area into a full-service vacation and residential community.
The governance structure of the Lake Naomi community has undergone significant evolution since its founding in the early 1960s. Originally spearheaded by Logan Steele, a visionary real estate developer, the area surrounding Lake Naomi underwent a dramatic transformation beginning in 1963, when Steele and a group of investors acquired over 2,600 acres of undeveloped woodland in Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania. They formed the Lake Naomi Development Corporation, which oversaw the creation of a planned recreational community centered around a private lake, a beach club, and family-oriented amenities.
In 1964, advertisements began appearing in the Philadelphia Inquirer, promoting what seemed to be a new community development and destination in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania.
As homesites were sold and summer cottages turned into year-round residences, the community began to mature. In time, the responsibility for long-term stewardship shifted from the original developers to the residents themselves. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the developer’s role diminished, a new form of resident-driven leadership was formalized. This led to the creation of the Pocono Pines Community Association (PPCA), which now governs the physical infrastructure, community standards, and property-related policies for both Lake Naomi and its sister community, Timber Trails.
In parallel, the Lake Naomi Club, which oversees the recreational facilities and social programs, became a member-owned and operated organization, guided by its own Board of Trustees. These parallel entities, PPCA and the Club, work in harmony to preserve the vision first established by Steele: a well-maintained, family-oriented resort-style community in the heart of the Pocono Mountains.
Today, the PPCA Board is composed of elected resident volunteers who serve staggered terms to ensure continuity and institutional knowledge. Together with a professional management team, they maintain roads, enforce covenants, and uphold architectural guidelines. Their leadership has helped Lake Naomi earn a reputation as one of the most desirable private lake communities in the northeastern United States.
This transformation from a privately run development company to a resident-governed community reflects a broader trend in American resort towns, where long-term sustainability, democratic participation, and community values take precedence over commercial development.
Meet the Original Lake Naomi Development Team
| 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 began by establishing a foundation of effort, incorporating the Lake Naomi Development Company, and then recruited his team. The company laid the groundwork for what is now a thriving private, member-run community offering year-round recreation, beautiful natural surroundings, and a socially connected lifestyle.
On September 3, 1963, Logan Steele, together with his father and several other investors, injected approximately 0,000 in capital to purchase over 2,600 acres, including the 277-acre Naomi Lake.
To bring that vision to life, Logan became a dynamic and capable executive in marketing and operations. Steele became the driving force behind implementing the plans, turning wooded tracts of land into a fully functioning club community. From infrastructure to lifestyle programming, he infused Lake Naomi with energy, structure, and a sense of identity.
Logan would pass at just 57 years old in 1986 in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
Carl W. Fiers of Lake Naomi Real Estate was responsible for negotiating the land purchase that ultimately formed the foundation of the present-day Lake Naomi Club community.
He helped assemble the acreage needed to create the resort community and made the first sale of the development in 1964, according to our research.
The land negotiation and acquisitions were a foundational step to creating the Lake Naomi Development Project. Without securing the land parcels from multiple owners, Schoettle and Steele would not have been able to move forward with their development plans.
Fiers remained a longtime member of Lake Naomi Club, reportedly serving the community for over 50 years. He administered thousands of property transactions in the area, further cementing his enduring connection to the community. His brokerage office remains in the same building as Lake Naomi Real Estate, underscoring a multi-generational presence in the local real estate landscape.
Their Managing Broker, Tom W. Fiers (Carl’s brother), has been a member of the Lake Naomi Club for over 53 years. He has administered over 4,000 sales and a like number of listings for both the original development company and his subsequent resale firms that emerged in the 1980s.
Carl Fiers passed away on October 19, 2022, at the age of 94, at his home in Sarasota, Florida, surrounded by his family.
Harry served four years in the Navy after Princeton, including six months in Korea. He then was an instructor at Annapolis for two years, leaving the Naval Reserves as a lieutenant commander in 1975.
Harry and Logan Steele had a history before the Lake Naomi project, as they were roommates at Princeton University, where they graduated in 1951. Harry majored in mechanical engineering at Princeton and would go on to become a Philadelphia-based developer and real estate investor. His company, Schoettle Enterprises, played a pivotal role in acquiring large tracts of land around Lake Naomi, with the vision of creating a private, upscale, four-season vacation and second-home community.
In 1963, Schoettle unveiled plans for Lake Naomi Club, a planned residential and recreational development featuring homesites, a clubhouse, lake access, and, later, tennis and golf facilities. The financial backing for the Lake Naomi Club project came from Harry J. Schoettle, not Logan Steele.
During the formative years of the Lake Naomi Club project, Harry and Logan forged a partnership that would shape the future of one of the Poconos’ most beloved private communities. Schoettle, the visionary developer behind the project, secured the necessary investment, land acquisitions, and master plans to transform the area. His dream was to create an upscale, four-season retreat that blended recreational amenities with the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains.
The partnership was so tight over the years that Harry and his wife, Jacqueline “Jackie,” were often referred to by Logan and Lee Steele’s kids as Uncle Harry and Aunt Jackie. They’d usually travel together, and when not in the Poconos, they frequently spent winters together in Florida.
Together, Schoettle and Steele laid the foundation for what would become one of the most successful and enduring vacation communities in the region. Their collaborative efforts transformed Lake Naomi into a vibrant destination renowned for its sailing, tennis, and family-friendly atmosphere—a legacy that continues to define the area today.
The Schoettles were active in Junior Girl Scouts and the Clymer Library. Harry was on the Tobyhanna Township planning board for 15 years, the last seven as chairman. He was also listed along with Jacqueline (his wife) as officers/directors of Pocono Pines Corporation (related entity), with a principal address and mailing address 2609 SE 20th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316‑3217. Harry bought the Pocono Sheraton Inn in 1987 and oversaw its operation until it was sold in 1993. It was filed in Florida in February 1992 and voluntarily dissolved in January 1996, just before Harry’s death.
Harry J. Schoettle would pass away on June 23, 1996, at the age of 80, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Robert and his wife, Bennie Steele of Summit, New Jersey, were Logan’s parents. Still, Dad was also an instrumental partner, being a lawyer and an expert in real estate, mortgages, and insurance. He knew a few things about selling a development vision.
In 1964, the Steeles began their Lake Naomi community advertising campaigns, offering homesite lots for “As low as down” with starter homes beginning at
As homesites were sold and summer cottages turned into year-round residences, the community began to mature. In time, the responsibility for long-term stewardship shifted from the original developers to the residents themselves. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the developer’s role diminished, a new form of resident-driven leadership was formalized. This led to the creation of the Pocono Pines Community Association (PPCA), which now governs the physical infrastructure, community standards, and property-related policies for both Lake Naomi and its sister community, Timber Trails.
In parallel, the Lake Naomi Club, which oversees the recreational facilities and social programs, became a member-owned and operated organization, guided by its own Board of Trustees. These parallel entities, PPCA and the Club, work in harmony to preserve the vision first established by Steele: a well-maintained, family-oriented resort-style community in the heart of the Pocono Mountains.
Today, the PPCA Board is composed of elected resident volunteers who serve staggered terms to ensure continuity and institutional knowledge. Together with a professional management team, they maintain roads, enforce covenants, and uphold architectural guidelines. Their leadership has helped Lake Naomi earn a reputation as one of the most desirable private lake communities in the northeastern United States.
This transformation from a privately run development company to a resident-governed community reflects a broader trend in American resort towns, where long-term sustainability, democratic participation, and community values take precedence over commercial development.
Meet the Original Lake Naomi Development Team
| 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 began by establishing a foundation of effort, incorporating the Lake Naomi Development Company, and then recruited his team. The company laid the groundwork for what is now a thriving private, member-run community offering year-round recreation, beautiful natural surroundings, and a socially connected lifestyle.
On September 3, 1963, Logan Steele, together with his father and several other investors, injected approximately $400,000 in capital to purchase over 2,600 acres, including the 277-acre Naomi Lake.
To bring that vision to life, Logan became a dynamic and capable executive in marketing and operations. Steele became the driving force behind implementing the plans, turning wooded tracts of land into a fully functioning club community. From infrastructure to lifestyle programming, he infused Lake Naomi with energy, structure, and a sense of identity.
Logan would pass at just 57 years old in 1986 in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
Carl W. Fiers of Lake Naomi Real Estate was responsible for negotiating the land purchase that ultimately formed the foundation of the present-day Lake Naomi Club community.
He helped assemble the acreage needed to create the resort community and made the first sale of the development in 1964, according to our research.
The land negotiation and acquisitions were a foundational step to creating the Lake Naomi Development Project. Without securing the land parcels from multiple owners, Schoettle and Steele would not have been able to move forward with their development plans.
Fiers remained a longtime member of Lake Naomi Club, reportedly serving the community for over 50 years. He administered thousands of property transactions in the area, further cementing his enduring connection to the community. His brokerage office remains in the same building as Lake Naomi Real Estate, underscoring a multi-generational presence in the local real estate landscape.
Their Managing Broker, Tom W. Fiers (Carl’s brother), has been a member of the Lake Naomi Club for over 53 years. He has administered over 4,000 sales and a like number of listings for both the original development company and his subsequent resale firms that emerged in the 1980s.
Carl Fiers passed away on October 19, 2022, at the age of 94, at his home in Sarasota, Florida, surrounded by his family.
Harry served four years in the Navy after Princeton, including six months in Korea. He then was an instructor at Annapolis for two years, leaving the Naval Reserves as a lieutenant commander in 1975.
Harry and Logan Steele had a history before the Lake Naomi project, as they were roommates at Princeton University, where they graduated in 1951. Harry majored in mechanical engineering at Princeton and would go on to become a Philadelphia-based developer and real estate investor. His company, Schoettle Enterprises, played a pivotal role in acquiring large tracts of land around Lake Naomi, with the vision of creating a private, upscale, four-season vacation and second-home community.
In 1963, Schoettle unveiled plans for Lake Naomi Club, a planned residential and recreational development featuring homesites, a clubhouse, lake access, and, later, tennis and golf facilities. The financial backing for the Lake Naomi Club project came from Harry J. Schoettle, not Logan Steele.
During the formative years of the Lake Naomi Club project, Harry and Logan forged a partnership that would shape the future of one of the Poconos’ most beloved private communities. Schoettle, the visionary developer behind the project, secured the necessary investment, land acquisitions, and master plans to transform the area. His dream was to create an upscale, four-season retreat that blended recreational amenities with the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains.
The partnership was so tight over the years that Harry and his wife, Jacqueline “Jackie,” were often referred to by Logan and Lee Steele’s kids as Uncle Harry and Aunt Jackie. They’d usually travel together, and when not in the Poconos, they frequently spent winters together in Florida.
Together, Schoettle and Steele laid the foundation for what would become one of the most successful and enduring vacation communities in the region. Their collaborative efforts transformed Lake Naomi into a vibrant destination renowned for its sailing, tennis, and family-friendly atmosphere—a legacy that continues to define the area today.
The Schoettles were active in Junior Girl Scouts and the Clymer Library. Harry was on the Tobyhanna Township planning board for 15 years, the last seven as chairman. He was also listed along with Jacqueline (his wife) as officers/directors of Pocono Pines Corporation (related entity), with a principal address and mailing address 2609 SE 20th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316‑3217. Harry bought the Pocono Sheraton Inn in 1987 and oversaw its operation until it was sold in 1993. It was filed in Florida in February 1992 and voluntarily dissolved in January 1996, just before Harry’s death.
Harry J. Schoettle would pass away on June 23, 1996, at the age of 80, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Robert and his wife, Bennie Steele of Summit, New Jersey, were Logan’s parents. Still, Dad was also an instrumental partner, being a lawyer and an expert in real estate, mortgages, and insurance. He knew a few things about selling a development vision.
In 1964, the Steeles began their Lake Naomi community advertising campaigns, offering homesite lots for “As low as $95 down” with starter homes beginning at $2,995. Robert Steele also started a 20% down mortgage campaign, coordinating banking relationships that offered 80% financing.
Robert Steele would pass in 1976 in Winter Haven, Florida, at the age of 83.
Skiing in the Pocono Mountains began in 1946 with the opening of Big Boulder, Pennsylvania’s first commercial ski resort and a pioneer in snowmaking technology. Camelback Mountain followed in 1963, helping establish the region as a major East Coast winter sports destination. Elk Mountain opened in 1959 just north of the Poconos, while Bear Creek (originally Doe Mountain) launched in 1967 on the southern edge of the region. By the late 1970s, the Poconos had established multiple ski resorts with modern lifts, lodges, and trail systems, solidifying its reputation as a premier winter getaway.
December 13, 1963 – Pocono Record
About 750 ski enthusiasts, ignoring the absence of good snow, major lifts, and Pennsylvania Gov. William Scranton, celebrated the ribbon-cutting opening of Camelback Ski Area. Although the chairlift was not operational, the slopes opened to the public at noon, with the T-Bar and J-Bar tows ready for use.
Today, Naomi and Timber Trails offer year-round recreation, including summer boating, winter ice skating, skiing at nearby attractions such as Camelback and Jack Frost, beach access, hiking trails, tennis, golf, and social events.
Local agencies, such as Lake Naomi Real Estate, still specialize in sales and rentals within the Lake Naomi and Timber Trails communities.
Robert Steele would pass in 1976 in Winter Haven, Florida, at the age of 83.
Skiing in the Pocono Mountains began in 1946 with the opening of Big Boulder, Pennsylvania’s first commercial ski resort and a pioneer in snowmaking technology. Camelback Mountain followed in 1963, helping establish the region as a major East Coast winter sports destination. Elk Mountain opened in 1959 just north of the Poconos, while Bear Creek (originally Doe Mountain) launched in 1967 on the southern edge of the region. By the late 1970s, the Poconos had established multiple ski resorts with modern lifts, lodges, and trail systems, solidifying its reputation as a premier winter getaway.
December 13, 1963 – Pocono Record
About 750 ski enthusiasts, ignoring the absence of good snow, major lifts, and Pennsylvania Gov. William Scranton, celebrated the ribbon-cutting opening of Camelback Ski Area. Although the chairlift was not operational, the slopes opened to the public at noon, with the T-Bar and J-Bar tows ready for use.
Today, Naomi and Timber Trails offer year-round recreation, including summer boating, winter ice skating, skiing at nearby attractions such as Camelback and Jack Frost, beach access, hiking trails, tennis, golf, and social events.
Local agencies, such as Lake Naomi Real Estate, still specialize in sales and rentals within the Lake Naomi and Timber Trails communities.
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