Deep Creek Lake was named for “Deep Creek”, a stream that once ran through the valley, passing though the gap now spanned by the Glendale and 219 Bridges. Deep Creek was just that, a "deep creek" ranging from about six feet wide to well over fifty feet wide in places, and about 20 feet deep. Children during the turn of the century made sport of trying to jump across it in its narrower locations. “It was the deepest, cleanest and coldest creek I ever fell into” claimed Ted Lascaras, the original owner of  The Silver Tree Restaurant.

 

Earlier, the Delaware Indians used these mountains as a hunting ground during the 16th, 17th, and into the 18th centuries. Though permanent camps were not built, many traces of these hunters have been found in the region, and The Silver Tree Center area. Hunting arrow heads is another popular pastime in the region, and at times are easily found along the shore line when the water is lower, later in the season.

 

The building which now houses The Silver Tree Inn and The Harbor Bar was once known as the Nemacolin Lodge. It was built in the late 1930's and may be the oldest commercial structure on Deep Creek Lake. The towering log walls and the massive stone fireplaces were constructed of trees and stone cut here on the property and in the region. For over forty years Gordon Bennett, Ph.D. operated the building commercially as a lodge, welcoming guests from all over.

 

The Silver Tree Inn structure today is said to be the home of its own Native American apparition. He can be found walking at a level above the ground floor walking at what could have been the elevation of the land surface in his day. A full view of this unknown spirit has been seen in the lower level bar area, which now is the home of the Harbor Bar. He appears most often on a moon lit night when all is very quiet. There are those who claim he is more often seen after having spent some time at The Harbor Bar.

History

of

The Silver Tree Inn