A Walk through History Silver Lake Beach, Bellingham, MA

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

Working with our community Cable Station, ABMI Cable 8 here in Bellingham is such fun. We get outside, explore places that offer Easy Walks, and get the perspective of the great views offered, when cameraman Tyler McMinnaman brings along the drone, part of the great equipment the cable station has on hand to create great video.

We met recently at Silver Lake Beach to wander the area, and talk about a little of the history of the area. This was a “go-to” destination in the days before cars were common. Over the years the area offered a carousel, a dance hall, a skating rink, and even diving horses! It is often difficult to imagine all this activity when strolling the area on a spring morning, when we were about the only people there.

The era of car transportation spelled the end of Silver Lake as the place area residents thought of first when looking for entertainment. a state grant to preserve open space saved the sixty acres of beach and pond (including the island) from development, which is now open to all. (Permits required during the summer from the DPW on Blackstone Street). Inquire here for more information.

The trolley tracks that brought crowds of tourists to Silver Lake are gone, but the beds those tracks were on remain. Parts have been paved over, becoming local streets in the area.

Other portions of the rail beds remain, bringing visitors thorugh woodland, as well as over to the nearby SNETT (Southern New England Trunkline Trail).

To get an overview of this beautiful area, and learn more about the history of Silver Lake, here’s our nineteen minute Cable TV show–Finding Easy Walks–at Silver Lake. Happy trails!

Marjorie

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors, and is the author of Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, More Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, Easy Walks and Paddles in the Ten Mile River Watershed, Easy Walks South of Boston and Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are. Her memoir, the backstory of Easy Walks, is My Liturgy of Easy Walks: Reclaiming hope in a world turned upside down.