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The Timberlake Tavern

The Timberlake Tavern was built in the late 1920's as a part of the 70-acre resort lake and golf course which was aimed at Lynchburg's well-to-do

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The following history was published on the Tavern's web site:

“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, the Timberlake 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."

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Uploaded on January 25, 2021
Taken on January 17, 2021