Silver Lake occupies the northern shore of the lake with that name in McLeod County, Minnesota. It is just north of South Silver Lake, an unincorporated community in Rich Valley Township.
The unincorporated communities of Komensky and Sherman are six miles west and eight miles northeast, respectively. The nearest incorporated city is Glencoe, the county seat, about ten miles south of Silver Lake.
Minnesota State Highway 7 is the chief route through the city. County Highway 2 connects Silver Lake with South Silver Lake and Glencoe, and County Highway 92 forms Silver Lake's Main Street. Swan Lake and Swan Lake County Park are just a few miles to the east-northeast, and the smaller Lake Betty is in South Silver Lake.
The first settlers along Silver Lake were the Sioux, and several Indians wars were fought in the area.
In the late 1800s, white settlers began moving in, and the village was platted in 1881, and incorporated in 1889. The village's first sidewalks were wood boardwalks, and its street lights were kerosene lamps. The Church of Saint Joseph was established at Bear Creek, south of Silver Lake, in 1873.
Operated by J.J. Totushek and J.S. Jerabek, a flour mill was established in 1885 or 1886, and in operation until 1920. The Silver Lake Creamery began operations in the 1890s and was later relocated near the lake. A new creamery was built in 1914. The Silver Lake Brewery ran from 1886 to 1917, and a post office was established in 1889.
Other early businesses included a store operated by Theodore and John Mims, John Vojta's blacksmith shop, Joe Lowy's grocery store, Chalupsky's Hardware Store, and the Jerabek Grocery and Dry Goods Store.
In 1901, the Silver Lake Printing Company began publishing a local newspaper known as the Silver Lake Leader. Silver Lake High School held its first graduation on June 1 of 1914.
Silver Lake developed slowly when the Minneapolis, Lyndale and Minnetonka Railroad, which later became part of the Great Northern Railroad, decided to run their rail line on the south side of the lake, building a station that became South Silver Lake. However, in 1915, the Luce Line Railroad was built just north of Silver Lake. When the new rail line chose to run its tracks north of Silver Lake, the railroad business was taken over by the new station, and the town of South Silver Lake deteriorated. The Luce Line Railroad was owned by Kernel Luce.
Although Silver Lake has never been a large town, its population has been mostly growing, other than a couple of small decreases.
The focus this guide is on Silver Lake, Minnesota. Websites representing the municipal government or any of its departments or facilities are appropriate for this category, as are those of Silver Lake schools, churches, organizations, businesses, or individuals.
Since there are no other cities on the lake, websites referring to the body of water itself may be submitted to this category, as may any for South Silver Lake.
Recommended Resources
The American Legion is a war veterans organization founded in 1919. Post 141 is the Silver Lake, Minnesota post, which was chartered in 1923. On its site, a post history, bylaws and constitution, a calendar of events and notices of special events, the benefits of membership, a membership application, and a gallery of photographs. Post officers and committees are acknowledged, and its auxiliary organizations are recognized.
http://www.silverlakepost141.org/
The Church of the Holy Family, on West Main Street in Silver Lake, Minnesota, is part of the Saint John Paul II Area Faith Community of Silver Lake, Glencoe, and Winsted, which includes Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Winstead and Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Glencoe. Weekend mass schedules, administrative contacts and hours, a church bulletin, monthly calendar, and directions are included.
http://www.holyfamilysilverlake.org/
The official municipal website for the Minnesota city publishes a welcome from the mayor, and posts city hall hours and contacts, and an overview of city services, programs and facilities, such as its auditorium, its forestry department, economic development, emergency services, parks, pool, and recreation, public works, and utilities. The city council is identified, and council minutes and agendas are posted.
https://www.cityofsilverlake.org/
The congregation meets at its facilities on Main Street West in Silver Lake, Minnesota. Serving the region since 1876, the congregation was known as Czech Brethren Presbyterian Church until the mid-1990s, and its current building was built in 1912. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), its Sunday schedules, a church newsletter, announcements, office hours, contacts, and a devotional are included.
http://www.faithpresbyterianchurchofsilverlake.org/
With branches in Lester Prairie and Silver Lake, Minnesota, the bank offers personal, business, mobile, and online banking services serving people throughout McLeod and Carver counties. Its locations, lobby and drive-through hours, ATM locations, and contacts are put forth, its officers are introduced, and a historical timeline of the bank is presented. Its fraud protection services are outlined.
https://www.fcblpsl.com/
Established in 1891, the congregation was formerly known as the Congregational Church of Silver Lake, adopting its current name to reflect its nondenominational status and the fact that its membership is made up of people from several denominational backgrounds. Its history, a statement of faith, and an audio archive of past sermons are included. A worship schedule, calendar of events, and contacts are included.
http://www.silverlakechurch.org/
Opened in 2005, Molly’s Cafe and the motel is situated in the building that once hosted the Gallery Motel and Restaurant, reopening the motel in 2004 and the restaurant in 2005. Its history, a statement of its quality standards, certificates, and menus are featured on the site, along with an overview of its catering services, Silver Lake Motel, and Molly’s Market. A calendar of events, area attractions, and contacts are posted.
http://www.mollymelt.com/
