


"The "Timberlake Tavern',
located on a knoll overlooking the lake, has a superb view of distant
hills and mountains. Here indeed is a haven for the traveler, or one in
search of a modern hostelry in a setting of beauty ideally adapted to
the enjoyment of sports or rest." ( excerpts from a promotional
brochure published by Timber Lake Corporation at Lynchburg, Virginia
circa 1930 ). While the views are not quite as good as they used to be,
due to foliage growth, the place itself is immaculate.
Timberlake Tavern is the work of Edley Craighill and
Fred Showalter, the two Lynchburgers who
formed Craighill & Showalter Construction Company after serving
proudly in the 29th Division during WWI. At the
time, our nation was experiencing the economic boom of the "Roaring
Twenties"-giving birth to new business opportunities daily. The
brainchild of Edley Craighill, Timberlake
Tavern was conceived as a resort lodge and area for rich
Lynchburgers( in 1910, Lynchburg had the third best income average in
the nation ).
Built in the late 1920's,
theTimberlake Tavern
first opened its doors to the public on a Friday evening June 15th
1929. Built by the Timber Lake developers, Mr. Edley Craighill and Mr.
Fred Showalter, the "Tavern' treated approximately 135 guests that
evening to a typical (of its time) Virginia dinner of fried chicken,
old ham and accompanying delicacies.
Built as a focal point and
gathering place "the center of the new Timberlake resort' for the
guests and residents of the approximate 100 acre Timber Lake Resort,
which surrounds the Timberlake
Tavern, the Timberlake
Tavern represented the architectural style and
practicality of both the Lake founders with the high pitched gable
roofs and symmetrically intersecting angles built of oversize brick and
wood. A large central gable flanked near each end by the chimneys,
which are finally flanked by the broad angled porch roofs. The 1800
square foot plus, over 100 foot long deep veranda is a beautiful place
to sit and reminisce about days gone by while enjoying the lake breeze
blown in from the coves that surround the Tavern.
Website
Designed By webworksva.com






