Silver Lake, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Silver Lake, West Virginia
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Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church
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 Silver Lake, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Silver Lake, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Preston |
| Elevation | 2,510 ft (770 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1555626 |
Silver Lake is a small, quiet community in Preston County, West Virginia. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that are part of the larger county. Silver Lake is located along U.S. Route 219. It is about 7.5 miles (12 km) north of Thomas.
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Discovering Silver Lake: The Community and Its Lake
The community of Silver Lake gets its name from a special lake. This lake is man-made, meaning people built it. It's part of a private campground in the area. The lake was created in 1928. A small concrete dam holds its water. This lake is also where the Youghiogheny River begins.
A Popular Vacation Spot
The park and campground at Silver Lake were built in the 1930s. For a long time, it was a very popular place for vacations. People came here to camp, go boating, and swim. They also enjoyed picnics, a restaurant, and a game room. There was even a small motel and six cozy vacation cabins.
The overnight stays were especially popular in the 1940s and early 1950s. This was before new cabins and a big lodge were built at nearby Blackwater Falls State Park. The vacation cabins at Silver Lake were available to rent nightly until the late 1990s.
Silver Lake Today
The restaurant at the park closed in the early 2000s. Today, Silver Lake is mostly a private campground. Many camping trailers are now set up there permanently. The small cabins are rented out to people who stay for a month or longer.
Exploring Nearby: Hoye-Crest
Just south of Silver Lake, you can find the start of a trail to Hoye-Crest. This is the highest point in the entire state of Maryland! Hoye-Crest is the top of Backbone Mountain. It sits right on the border between West Virginia and Maryland. Silver Lake is just west of this border.
The trail to Hoye-Crest used to be a road for logging trucks. It is about one mile (1.6 km) long. As you hike, you gain about 700 feet (213 meters) in height. It's a great adventure for those who love to explore.
Unique Landmarks: Smallest Church and Post Office
Silver Lake is home to some truly unique buildings. One of them is Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church. This church is known as the "smallest church in 48 states." It's a very tiny building, only 12 feet (3.7 meters) wide and 24 feet (7.3 meters) long. It was built as a family church. Inside, it has an altar and just six small pews. Each pew can seat two people.
Right next to this tiny church is another amazing sight. It's called "the world's smallest mailing office." This post office is even smaller than the church! It's a fun place to visit and send a postcard.
A Look Back: Breedlove and the Railroad
Before the lake was built in 1928, this area had a different name: Breedlove. Breedlove was the end point of the Preston Railroad. This railroad was used to carry timber from the surrounding mountains. The timber went to a large lumber mill in Crellin, Maryland.
The railroad continued to operate into the 1920s. Its last job was to haul materials for building roads. These materials were used to improve U.S. Route 219, which runs through the community. People say the community was named after John Breedlove. He was a soldier from the early 1800s.
