“The ‘Timber Lake 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.

Timber Lake Tavern is the work of Edley Craighill and Fred Showalter, the two Lynchburgers who formed Craighill & Showalter Construction Company after serving proudly in the 29^th 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, Timber Lake 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, the Timber Lake Tavern first opened its doors to the public on a Friday evening June 15^th 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 Timber Lake resort’ for the guests and residents of the approximate 100 acre Timber Lake Resort, which surrounds the Timber Lake Tavern, the Timber Lake 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.

The 5700 square foot Timber Lake Tavern has 12 guest rooms, a large main dining room/ballroom with lovely oak floors, oak beamed ceiling and two massive fireplaces w/ greenstone hearths on each end. It simply puts you in another era. Unfortunately, the golf course and public beach that used to be an integral part of this facility are a thing of the past. Thankfully, the history of Timber Lake has been well kept throughout the years. If interested, you can meander down to the lakeside, sit back on the Tavern dock and read about Timber Lake and its wonderful history in a book published by one of its long time residents. The name of the book is Timber Lake “The Gem of Piedmont Virginia”.

While the guest rooms are very nice and private, the main facility is widely utilized for events such as: Weddings, Receptions, Engagement Parties, Dinner Parties, Luncheons, Business Meetings, Bridal & Baby Showers and Socials of many kind.