Silver Lake (Kingsbury County, South Dakota) facts for kids
Silver Lake is a special lake located near the town of De Smet, South Dakota. You can find it just east of De Smet, right next to U.S. Highway 14. It's known for being a lake that has been changed and partly restored by people over time.
Contents
The Lake from a Famous Book
Silver Lake is famous because it was featured in the book By the Shores of Silver Lake. This book was written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. She wrote about her own childhood experiences living near this lake.
Why It's Called Silver Lake
Laura's mother, Caroline Ingalls, gave the lake its name. She called it "Silver Lake" because its surface often looked shiny and silvery. It was a beautiful sight!
A Home by the Lake
The Ingalls family home was built very close to Silver Lake. Today, this home is a museum where you can learn about their lives. The old Surveyor's House is also nearby.
How Silver Lake Changed
Even though Silver Lake was beautiful, its water level often changed a lot. Sometimes, it would flood nearby roads and farms.
The Lake's Big Change
In the 1920s, people decided to drain the lake. Its water was sent into a nearby lake called Lake Henry. After the water was gone, the dry lakebed was used as a place to put trash.
Silver Lake Returns
Over time, parts of Silver Lake have filled with water again. It's no longer used for trash, and some of its natural beauty has returned.
