Most of the native Potawatomi Indians left the region in 1830.
Lake James and the surrounding area was originally surveyed in 1831 by E. H. Lytle.
 The lake was named by another surveyor, James Riley.
It is not certain if Riley was Captain James Riley or his son, James Watson Riley—both were surveyors.
James Watson Riley also had a son, James Watson Riley Jr.  It is not known why the lake was named Lake James, but a logical assumption is that the name honors one (or more) of the three James Riley men.
Most of the native Potawatomi Indians left the region in 1830. Lake James and the surrounding area was originally surveyed in 1831 by E. H. Lytle.  The lake was named by another surveyor, James Riley. It is not certain if Riley was Captain James Riley or his son, James Watson Riley—both were surveyors. James Watson Riley also had a son, James Watson Riley Jr.  It is not known why the lake was named Lake James, but a logical assumption is that the name honors one (or more) of the three James Riley men.
Lake James (Indiana)