Silver Lake's name has nothing to do with its color, and everything to do with the one of the first commissioners of the Board of Water, Herman Silver. The reservoir turned "lake" bears the name of this early Los Angeles leader, and that is why the two worded "Silver Lake" community, boulevard, reservoir, & even film festival exist today.Before moving to Los Angeles, Herman Silver was the superintendent of the US Mint in Denver for nine years and was then appointed secretary & treasurer of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe branches of the Railroad in Southern California in 1887 after working for the railroad in Denver. He came before the City Council for the first time in March of that year, shortly after taking the post (based in San Bernadino). Over the next 13 years, Mr. Silver made a name for himself in Los Angeles as a promoter of the cable car in Los Angeles, a founding investor in La Sierra Water Company, a candidate for the Better City Government League.
He won the 4th Ward as Councilman in 1896, and was then elected President of the City Council. During his 2 year tenure, he had the challenges of replacing the water contract for a city that had grown from 5,000 people to over 100,000 people in less than 30 years. He easily won re-election in 1898 (they were two year terms) and retained his leadership role on the Council. Then, he was nominated on the Republican ticket for Mayor in October 1900, at which time he was described by the Times as, "a man of character, of standing, of undoubted integrity." Silver was one of the most highly regarded officials of his day in the region, and his loss to incumbent Mayor Snyder was a shock to many.
Then on February 5, 1902, Silver was appointed to the first Board of Water Commissioners and later elected to head it. Only four years later in 1906, the new reservoir in the "Ivanhoe Basin" was proposed to be named for him. The reservoir was planned as the Owens Valley project was being developed, and William Mulholland himself designed and oversaw construction of the 56-foot tall dam. The completed "lake" would be 93 square acres.
Silver was one of the leading men at the turn of the 20th Century. Though not as widely known as Harrison Gray Otis, Fred Eaton, or William Mulholland, Herman Silver was regarded as one of the "good ones" who shaped our City. It is quite appropriate that one of the City's greatest features be named after one of the greatest leaders.
10 comments:
The Times supported a Republican candidate? IMPOSSIBLE!
Silverlake should be just one word. Just because it's named after a person doesn't necessitate it be two words. Just like St. Petersburg, Johannesburg, Levittown or any number of places that include a person's name within the town name.
Well I think that it should be, "Herman Silver Memorial Lake."
someone should tell the Silverlake Lounge...
I'm appalled that it's not Silver's Lake. Silver Lake is too long and everybody agrees that Silverlake is just plain ridiculous. That's why most people think that Silver's Lake makes the most sense. If you listen in the distance I think you can hear the rumblings of a grassroots movement...
The name Silver Lake, especially when demystified as just coming from some dude's last name, has no allure. Los Feliz and Echo Park at least have a sense of mystery and exoticism to them. Why not rename Silver Lake as "New Bohemia" to better convey an impression of the people who live there?
From one anonymous to another, Silver Lake is anything but New Bohemia in its current makeup. It is Los Feliz adjacent, and is meant to convey anything you care to think it should, but it is not the Silver Lake of even 5 years ago, much less any time before that.
Silverlake is as bohemian as money can buy.
Herman Silver was L.A.'s first Jewish councilmember. That may have been one of the reasons he lost his race for mayor---that was a long time ago.
DAMN RIGHT! TAKE *THAT*, HIPSTERS!
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