By Dr. Sara J. Cornell
During the time of the American Revolution, the Pocono Lake area was remote wilderness, filled with dense forests, swamps and streams. It was sparsely settled by frontier families and Native American groups, who resided near important natural routes like the Lehigh River corridor. There was no "Pocono Lake" yet — that developed much later in the 19th and 20th centuries.

While Pocono Lake was quiet, the surrounding area was very active. Northeastern Pennsylvania saw raids and skirmishes between settlers and Native American groups allied with the British. These conflicts were part of the larger frontier war connected to the American Revolution.

One of the most significant nearby events was the Wyoming Valley Massacre, which occurred on July 3, 1778, in present-day Wilkes-Barre. On that day, a Patriot militia of about 300-400 local men and boys marched out to confront a force of British Loyalists and Native American allies. The opposing force was led by John Butler, and included Butler’s Rangers along with Seneca and other Haudenosuanee warriors.

The Patriot force was quickly outmaneuvred and overwhelmed. Many were killed during the battle, while others were pursued and killed while fleeing or after surrendering. Around 200 Patriot soldiers died, a devastating loss for the small community. Survivors fled, and many settlements were abandoned or burned.

Because of the Wyoming Valley Massacre, fear of similar attacks affected settlers through the Pocono Lake area. But, even without a local battle, Pocono Lake served as a travel corridor for messengers and militia moving between settlements. It was also an area of hunting and supply grounds for local families and possibly troops. And, the area provided a buffer zone between more populated valleys and contested frontier lands.

After the American Revolution, settlement slowly increased in Pocono Lake and surrounding areas. Roads and communities began to develop and the region eventually developed into a resort and recreation area in the 1880s.