var sid = 454; var aid = 3;

Silver Lake and Hale Township Silver Lake The small community of Silver Lake (1990 population of 698) is nestled along the north shore of its namesake lake. Euro-American settlers built a few homes in 1874, but Silver Lake was not platted until 1881. John Jerabek, John Mimms, and John Totusek laid out the original community. The three men also bought the store and mill of Theodore Mimms. A short time later, each of them built a store in the site of the future village, which was incorporated in 1889. Early in its history, Silver Lake was a center for Czech (Bohemian) and Polish settlers. A Catholic cemetery was started in 1867 and a church followed in 1884. An important addition to the village was the Silver Lake Creamery in 1897. Today, most of Silver Lake lies south of the trail, across the heavily traveled Highway 7. Average daily traffic count for Highway 7 at this point is 5,800 (1991 figures). A connection for residents to the trail, and for trail users to reach the downtown area, needs to be fostered. The city of Silver Lake has an extensive recreation area with pool and ball fields just across Highway 7 from the trail, and a more formal park square with gazebo and picnic shelter a few blocks further in the downtown area. Hale Township The Luce Line angles across Hale Township, from the northeast corner to the southwest corner. This township was named either for an early settler, or for John P. Hale, the anti-slavery candidate for US president in 1852. The 1990 population of this agricultural township was 992. The township wraps around the town of Silver Lake, and includes Swan Lake County Park. Swan Lake County Park lies along the north shore of Swan Lake, one mile north of the trail and the city of Silver Lake on McLeod County Rd. 16. This important local destination offers a picnic shelter, play areas, and fishing pier. The McLeod County Parks Department manages this 70-acre park. A shelter has been built in a wooded area next to the trail in section 31 of Hale Township.   LUCELINE.COM Along the Way | Trail Events | Organizations | This & That History | About This Site | Contact Us | Luce Line Home Page