Silver Lake, Los Angeles

{{use mdy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Use American English|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox settlement    |name=Silver Lake |settlement_type=Neighborhood  |image_skyline=Silver Lake Reservoir.jpg |imagesize=250px |image_caption=The hills of Silver Lake |image_map=Map of Silver Lake district, Los Angeles, California.png |map_caption=Silver Lake boundaries as drawn by the ''Los Angeles Times'' |pushpin_map=United States Los Angeles Central |pushpin_label_position=right |pushpin_map_caption=Location within Central Los Angeles |pushpin_mapsize=250 |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = California |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Los Angeles |subdivision_type3 = City |subdivision_name3 = Los Angeles |coordinates = {{coord|34|5|40|N|118|16|3|W|display=inline,title}} |timezone = PST |utc_offset = -8 |timezone_DST = PDT |utc_offset_DST = -7 |postal_code_type = Zip codes |postal_code = 90026, 90039 |area_codes = 213, 323 |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = 358 |elevation_footnotes= <ref>[https://elevation.maplogs.com/poi/silver_lake_los_angeles_ca_usa.57097.html "Elevation Map for Silver Lake"]. Elevation.maplogs.com. Retrieved February 27, 2020.</ref> |named_for = Politician Herman Silver }}

'''Silver Lake''' is a residential and commercial neighborhood in the east-central region of Los Angeles, California, United States,<ref>[https://censusreporter.org/profiles/79500US0603734-los-angeles-county-la-city-east-centralsilver-lake-echo-park-westlake-puma-ca/ Los Angeles County—LA City (East Central/Silver Lake, Echo Park & Westlake) PUMA]</ref> originally home to a small community called Ivanhoe, so named in honor of the 1819 novel by Walter Scott. In 1907, the Los Angeles Water Department built the Silver Lake Reservoir, named for LA Water commissioner Herman Silver, giving the neighborhood its name.<ref name="LAMag Creason">{{cite news |last1=Creason |first1=Glen |title=This Map Shows Silver Lake Before It Was an Artists' Enclave |url=https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/this-map-shows-silver-lake-before-it-was-an-artists-enclave/ |work=Los Angeles Magazine |date=20 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="Ivanhoe">{{cite web |url=http://www.silverlake.org/about_silverlake/aboutSL_frmset.htm |title=About the Silver Lake Community |publisher=Silver Lake.org |access-date=August 23, 2016 |quote= He named the area after a famous Scottish novel ''Ivanhoe'', by Sir Walter Scott.}}</ref> The area is now known for its architecturally significant homes, independently owned businesses, diverse restaurants, painted staircases, and creative environment.

==Geography and climate== thumb|left|Silver Lake looking southeast from Los Feliz Silver Lake is flanked on the northeast by Atwater Village and Elysian Valley, on the southeast by Echo Park, on the southwest by Westlake, on the west by East Hollywood and on the northwest by Los Feliz.<ref name=MappingLACentralLA>[http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/neighborhoods/region/central-la/ "Central L.A."]. Mapping L.A., ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref><ref name=ThomasGuide>''Thomas Guide: Los Angeles County'', p. 594. Irvine, California: Thomas Bros. Maps, 2004.</ref><ref>[https://maps.google.com/maps?complete=0&hl=en&q=Silver%20Lake%2C%20Los%20Angeles%2C%20CA&bav=on.2,or.&bvm=bv.47810305,d.dmQ&biw=887&bih=790&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl "Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA"]. Google Maps. Retrieved June 11, 2013.</ref>

Street and other boundaries are: the Los Angeles River between Glendale Boulevard and Fletcher Drive and Riverside Drive on the northeast, the Glendale Freeway on the east, Effie Street, Coronado Street, Berkeley Avenue and Fletcher Drive on the southeast, the Hollywood Freeway on the south, Virgil Avenue on the west and Fountain Avenue and Hyperion Avenue on the northwest.<ref name=MappingLASilverLake>[http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/neighborhoods/neighborhood/silver-lake "Silver Lake"]. Mapping L.A., ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref>

The prime real estate around the Silver Lake Reservoir is known as Moreno Highlands. It was originally developed in the 1920s and 1930s by Daisy Canfield, wife of silent film star Antonio Moreno. Much of the Silver Lake Residential Historic District is associated with this tract.<ref>[https://planning.lacity.org/odocument/1473a5d4-1e90-4000-9b7b-110d08c8488a/SLEPEV_Historic_Resources_Survey_Report_HPLAEdit_0.pdf Historic Resources Survey Report: Silver Lake-Echo Park-Elysian Valley Community Plan Area], SurveyLA, May 2014.</ref><ref>[https://planning.lacity.org/odocument/45b96942-47c4-4349-84db-3c313a25e8f9/Silver%20Lake%20-%20Echo%20Park%20-%20Elysian%20Valley%20Districts.pdf Silver Lake – Echo Park – Elysian Valley Report: Historic Districts, Planning Districts and Multi-Property Resources – 05/09/14]</ref>

The Silver Lake neighborhood council has mapped the boundaries of its council region.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121115151644/http://silverlakenc.org/about/silver-lake-nc-map-boundaries-and-regions/ "Silver Lake NC Map — Boundaries and Regions"]. Silver Lake Neighborhood Council. Archived from [http://silverlakenc.org/about/silver-lake-nc-map-boundaries-and-regions/ the original] on November 15, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2013.</ref>

{{Weather box |location = Silver Lake, Los Angeles |width = 50% |single line = Y |Jan high F = 67.5 |Feb high F = 67.8 |Mar high F = 69.2 |Apr high F = 71.8 |May high F = 73.5 |Jun high F = 77.0 |Jul high F = 81.9 |Aug high F = 83.4 |Sep high F = 82.3 |Oct high F = 77.8 |Nov high F = 72.2 |Dec high F = 67.1 |year high F = 74.3 |Jan low F = 47.9 |Feb low F = 49.0 |Mar low F = 50.6 |Apr low F = 53.0 |May low F = 56.6 |Jun low F = 59.9 |Jul low F = 63.3 |Aug low F = 63.8 |Sep low F = 62.5 |Oct low F = 58.1 |Nov low F = 52.0 |Dec low F = 47.5 |year low F = 55.4 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 3.64 |Feb precipitation inch = 4.05 |Mar precipitation inch = 3.44 |Apr precipitation inch = 0.89 |May precipitation inch = 0.35 |Jun precipitation inch = 0.08 |Jul precipitation inch = 0.02 |Aug precipitation inch = 0.14 |Sep precipitation inch = 0.35 |Oct precipitation inch = 0.49 |Nov precipitation inch = 1.23 |Dec precipitation inch = 2.04 |year precipitation inch = 16.72 |source 1 = <ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.msn.com/en-us/Weather/records/silver-lakecaliforniaunited-states/we-city?q=silver-lake-california&form=PRWLAS&iso=US&el=AF%2f2g93UgiuoAJ7kS66u8w%3d%3d| title =Records and Averages | website =MSN | access-date =March 11, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.weatherforyou.com/reports/index.php?forecast=pass&pass=normals&zipcode=&place=silver+lake&state=ca&country=us&hwvRMon=Jan| title =Silver Lake, California, United States Climate Normals | access-date =March 11, 2021}}</ref> |source 2 = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.plantmaps.com/90026| title =Zipcode 90026 – Los Angeles California is in Hardiness Zones 10a and 10b|access-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/zip-code/california/los_angeles/90026 |title=Climate in Zip 90026 (Los Angeles, CA)|website=www.bestplaces.net|access-date=May 22, 2022}}</ref> }}

==History== The area known as Ivanhoe to the north of the current reservoir was originally developed by Byram & Poindexter as early as 1887, named for Sir Walter Scott's book of the same name with many streets in that area referencing other works and characters of British literature such as Herkimer, Rowena, Kenilworth, Locksley, Ben Lomond, Hawick, and St. George.<ref name="SilverLakeOrg">{{cite web |last1=SooHoo |first1=Spencer |title=About the Silver Lake Community |url=http://silverlake.org/about_silverlake/aboutSL_frmset.htm |website=silverlake.org}}</ref>

alt=a red train crossing above a street on a concrete bridge|thumb|A Red Car crossing over Fletcher Drive c. 1955 In 1904 the Fletcher Drive Viaduct was constructed at the northeastern boundary of Silver Lake for the Glendale Line of the Pacific Electric Railway Company, connecting the area to Downtown Los Angeles. Originally constructed of timber, the viaduct was replaced in 1928 by a steel span construction to make way for Fletcher Drive underneath it. It was demolished in 1959 and only its concrete footings remain.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brightwell|first=Eric|date=April 10, 2013|title=Exploring a Section of the Old Glendale and Edendale Red Car Lines|url=https://www.kcet.org/history-society/exploring-a-section-of-the-old-glendale-and-edendale-red-car-lines|access-date=December 9, 2020|website=KCET}}</ref>

William Mulholland identified the area as an ideal location to place emergency reservoirs for the rapidly growing city, building the upper Ivanhoe Reservoir in 1906 and the eponymous Silver Lake reservoir in 1907. The reservoir was named for influential former LA City Councilman and then City Water Commissioner Herman Silver, who was instrumental in gaining the approvals to purchase the {{Convert|127|acre|ha}} of land and the funding for the construction of the reservoir.<ref name="LAMag Creason"/>

The hills of Ivanhoe and the neighboring Edendale had always attracted bohemians seeking safe haven from the prying eyes of polite society, and the further development of Silver Lake as a lush parkland only increased its appeal. The 1930s and 1940s saw artists, writers, actors and musicians join other progressives such as union organizers, civic activists, and communists flock to the area. With them came the area's modern aesthetics as architects such as Gregory Ain, Craig Ellwood, John Lautner, Rudolph Schindler, Walter Dorwin Teague, and Raphael Soriano designed their houses and businesses, creating what local realtors now point out as having more architecturally significant homes per square mile in Silver Lake than in other parts of Los Angeles.<ref name="neutrahistory">{{cite web |title=Edendale and Silver Lake History |url=http://www.neutrahistory.org/home/why-silverlake/edendale-and-silver-lake-history |website=neutrahistory.org}}</ref>

[[File:Hyperion bridge.jpg|thumb|The Glendale-Hyperion Bridge in eastern Silver Lake near the I-5 freeway]] William Selig set up what may have been the first permanent film studio in Los Angeles in the Edendale neighborhood to the east of Ivanhoe valley in 1909, soon followed by Mack Sennett in 1912. Walt Disney's first studio was at the corner of Griffith Park Boulevard and Hyperion Avenue, currently the site of Gelson's Market. As a consequence, the name "Hyperion" is used by The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries, with company entities past and present carrying the name, such as Hyperion Books and the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park.<ref name="mulholland">{{cite web |url=http://justoffmulholland.com/silver-lake/ |title=Silver Lake |publisher=Just Off Mulholland |access-date=August 23, 2016}}</ref> The fictional Seattle neighborhood of Hyperion Heights in the final season of the Disney-owned ABC series ''Once Upon a Time'' traces its name to the same origin.

William Fox would buy Selig's former Edendale lot on Glendale Boulevard in the 1917, building a 12-acre (4.9 ha) backlot called Mixville for Western film star Tom Mix. The location is now known as the Mixville Shopping Center and occupied by a Whole Foods Market. It is rumored that Mix buried his steed "Old Blue" on the property.<ref name="mulholland"/><ref name="Old Blue">{{cite news |last1=van Ammers |first1=Phyl |title=Mixville Shopping Center's "Old Blue" |url=https://patch.com/california/echopark/mixville-shopping-centers-old-blue |publisher=patch.com |date=18 May 2013}}</ref>

The neighborhood is crisscrossed by numerous municipal staircases that provide pedestrian access up and down the neighborhood's signature hills. Among these are the Descanso Stairs, Redcliff Stairs and the Music Box Stairs. The famous flight of stairs in Laurel and Hardy's film ''The Music Box'' is located between lower Descanso Drive and Vendome Street, as it winds up and around the hill.

In the 1940s, Chinese-American architect Eugene Kinn Choy sought to build a house for his family in Silver Lake, but due to racial covenants still in effect prohibiting the sale of property to "any person not of the Caucasian race," he was prevented from doing so. He went door to door to seek the approval of every house in the neighborhood before he was given approval to build in 1949.<ref name="Choy">{{cite news |title=The Chinese-American architect who broke down Silver Lake racial barriers |url=https://www.theeastsiderla.com/real_estate/architecture_and_urban_design/the-chinese-american-architect-who-broke-down-silver-lake-racial-barriers/article_b00f4b41-7431-53bd-bbb0-353fc64b1252.html |work=The Eastsider |date=1 February 2012}}</ref>

Choy's groundbreaking efforts opened the door to the Asian American and Latino communities in the 1950s and 1960s. Beginning in the 1970s, the neighborhood became the nexus of Los Angeles' gay leather subculture, similar to the SoMA neighborhood in San Francisco.<ref name="Townsend, Larry 1972">Townsend, Larry. ''The Leatherman's Handbook''. New York: Other Traveller, 1972.</ref> Since the late 1990s, gentrification has changed the area by pushing out public sex and "gay cruising"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-27-ls-26163-story.html|title=Neighbors Tackle Gay Cruising|last=Boxall|first=Bettina|date=August 27, 1997|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 19, 2016}}</ref> and facilitating the opening of many independent upscale boutiques, coffee shops, fitness studios, and restaurants.

The community continues to evolve, incorporating its bohemian roots with its racial and sexual diversity of the mid-20th century as architects such as Barbara Bestor and Gustavo Gubel, artists such as cache and Eric Junker, and musicians like Moby and Flea continue to define Silver Lake’s environment as a cultural and creative enclave.<ref name="hous">{{cite web |title=Real Estate & Architecture |url=https://hous.com/guide/silver-lake/ |website=hous|date=15 August 2016 }}</ref>

=== LGBT+ community === ====Early history==== [[File:The Black Cat sign (40217238521).jpg|thumb|The Black Cat gay bar, site of a controversial 1967 police raid]] In the 1930s, Silver Lake and Echo Park still comprised Edendale and acted as a space where members of the LGBT community were able to express their identities. Prominent female impersonator Julian Eltinge built his house in Silver Lake and performed until the city passed laws criminalizing cross-dressing, after which he continued to recount his drag performances to audiences.<ref>Hurewitz, Daniel (2007). [https://books.google.com/books?id=UAvx6D7IKJoC&q=Julian+Eltinge+Silver+Lake+Capistrano ''Bohemian Los Angeles and the Making of Modern Politics'']. Berkeley: University of California Press. Retrieved March 8, 2016.</ref>

Silver Lake was also home to Harry Hay, credited with founding the first gay organization, the Mattachine Society, which began as Bachelors' Anonymous. Hay lived and had meetings in Silver Lake at the time the group began in 1950. Kevin Roderick wrote in his eulogy for Hay in ''Los Angeles'' that many consider the house located near Silver Lake to be the birthplace of the gay-rights movement.<ref>Roderick, Kevin (January 2003). [http://www.kevinroderick.com/harryhay.html "Epitaph: Harry Hay"]. ''Los Angeles''. Retrieved March 8, 2016.</ref> A staircase by the house is designated the Mattachine Steps.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Creason |first=Glen |date=2016-06-02 |title=These Nondescript Stairs in Silver Lake Are Actually a Memorial to a Gay Rights Game-Changer |url=https://lamag.com/news/mattachine-society-stairs-map/ |access-date=2026-05-31 |work=LAmag |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Queer liberation==== The Black Cat Tavern, a fairly popular bar that has now become a historic-cultural monument, was the site of a police raid in 1967 that spread to adjacent bars, becoming a full-blown riot, which resulted in more than a dozen arrests. The protests in response to the raid predated the Stonewall riots by two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://la.curbed.com/maps/mapping-los-angeless-groundbreaking-role-in-lgbt-history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308180449/http://la.curbed.com/maps/mapping-los-angeless-groundbreaking-role-in-lgbt-history|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2016|title=Mapping Los Angeles's Groundbreaking Role in LGBT History|last=Barragan|first=Bianca|publisher=Curbed LA|date=April 2, 2014|access-date=March 8, 2016}}</ref>

Beginning in the 1970s, the neighborhood became the nexus of Los Angeles' gay leather subculture.<ref name="Townsend, Larry 1972"/>

====HIV/AIDS epidemic==== As the HIV/AIDS epidemic gripped the US in the 1980s, tensions between gay men and the Los Angeles Police Department escalated. Several LGBT activists in Silver Lake claimed they felt unsafe reporting hate crimes against them to the police, who they felt harbored anti-LGBT sentiments. Their complaints grew to the point that then-City Council member Michael Woo advocated establishing a hotline to relay information to police indirectly and compile statistics on the frequency of gay-bashings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-04-23-gl-642-story.html|title=Hot Line Proposed for 'Gay-Bashing' Reports|last=Gordon|first=Larry|date=April 23, 1987|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref> Some bath houses, which acted as social spaces for gay men, were shut down by the city government in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. The ensuing controversy reflected a nationwide debate about whether this type of action constituted public health policy or perpetuation of discrimination against the LGBT community.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-31-me-1204-story.html|title=Bathhouse for Gays Closed Over AIDS Risk|last=Rivera|first=Carla|date=August 31, 1988|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref>

Circus of Books was a bookstore and gay pornography shop that was notable as a gay cruising spot in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-west-hollywood-porn-shop-circus-of-books-20190208-story.html|title=These grandparents sold gay porn for decades and almost went to prison. Now, they are calling it quits|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|first=Hailey|last=Branson-Potts|date=February 8, 2019|access-date=February 11, 2019}}</ref>

The 1993 documentary ''Silverlake Life: The View from Here'' recorded the experience of a gay couple diagnosed with HIV.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tajima-Peña |first=Renee |date=2016-05-17 |title=Playback: Tom Joslin and Mark Massi's 'Silverlake Life: The View from Here' |url=https://www.documentary.org/column/playback-tom-joslin-and-mark-massis-silverlake-life-view-here |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=International Documentary Association |language=en}}</ref>

====Gentrification==== [[File:2025 Off Sunset Festival outside Silver Lake Erewhon market.jpg|thumb|right|2025 Off Sunset Festival held next to an Erewhon store location, contrasting the longstanding LGBT+ community with recent gentrification]] Beginning in the 1990s, gentrification changed the area by pushing out cruising for sex.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-27-ls-26163-story.html|title=Neighbors Tackle Gay Cruising|last=Boxall|first=Bettina|date=August 27, 1997|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 28, 2025}}</ref>

In 1992, about 85 activists protested gay-bashing and violent acts against homosexuals in the area, carrying banners emblazoned with "Stop the Violence" along Sunset Boulevard.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-14-me-198-story.html|title=Marchers Rally Against Rash of Gay-Bashing Incidents in Silver Lake|last=Kazmin|first=Amy Louise|date=November 14, 1992|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref>

Gay bar Akbar opened on New Year's Eve 1995. In 2004, fearing displacement through gentrification, the bar's owners purchased the building and converted the neighboring unit into a dance floor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://laist.com/news/entertainment/akbar-history|work=LAist|title=20 Years Of Akbar, Silver Lake's Gay Bar For Everyone|author=Juliet Bennett Rylah|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=October 23, 2024}}</ref>

Since 2006, Eagle LA has served as a popular gathering point for the local gay leather subculture. Its location was home to several prior gay bars: Shed (1968–1972), Outcast (1972–1983), and Gauntlet II (1983–2005).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Henry |title=Behind the Bar: An Interview with Eagle LA's Charlie Matula |url=https://wehoville.com/2018/03/07/behind-bar-interview-eagle-las-charlie-matula/ |website=Wehoville |access-date=October 23, 2024 |date=March 7, 2018 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511232358/https://wehoville.com/2018/03/07/behind-bar-interview-eagle-las-charlie-matula/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beginning in 2011, the City of Los Angeles removed anti-cruising traffic signs installed in Silver Lake,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-xpm-2011-09-08-tn-818-0909-radar-story.html|work=Glendale News-Press|title=On the Radar: No more cruising (signs), star kicked off flight and Walt Disney's former estate|author=Katie Landan|date=September 8, 2011|access-date=April 4, 2025}}</ref> but additional such signs were identified and removed in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-06-12/silver-lake-retires-their-remaining-anti-gay-cruising-signs|work=Los Angeles Times|title='No U-Turn' signs removed as symbols of Silver Lake's intolerant past – Los Angeles Times|author=Jireh Deng|date=June 12, 2024|access-date=April 4, 2025}}</ref>

In response to gentrification and the closure of several local gay bars, the Off Sunset Festival was launched in 2013 to celebrate the neighborhood's rich LGBT+ history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thefightmag.com/2014/06/off-sunset-festival/|work=The Fight|author=Mark Ariel|title=Off Sunset Festival|date=June 3, 2014|access-date=April 3, 2025}}</ref>

In 2019, Maebe A. Girl became the first drag queen ever elected to public office in the United States, joining the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://qvoicenews.com/2019/04/05/drag-queen-maebe-a-girl-running-for-silver-lake-neighborhood-council/|title=Drag queen Maebe A. Girl running for Silver Lake Neighborhood Council|first=Beatriz E.|last=Valenzuela|date=April 5, 2019|website=Q Voice News|access-date=March 3, 2020|archive-date=March 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303201628/https://qvoicenews.com/2019/04/05/drag-queen-maebe-a-girl-running-for-silver-lake-neighborhood-council/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaeEjSz9JQw|title=NowThis News: Meet the First Drag Queen Elected to Public Office in the United States|website=youtube.com|date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=March 3, 2020|archive-date=March 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329043648/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaeEjSz9JQw|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/maebe-a-girl-silver-lake/|title=Meet the First Drag Queen to Be Elected to Public Office in California|first=Steven|last=Blum|date=April 12, 2019|website=lamag.com|access-date=March 3, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108122719/https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/maebe-a-girl-silver-lake/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reservoir== {{Main|Silver Lake Reservoir}} thumb|Silver Lake Reservoir and environs, 1921

The neighborhood was named for Water Board Commissioner Herman Silver, who was instrumental in the creation of the Silver Lake Reservoir in the neighborhood, one of the water storage reservoirs established as part of the controversial Los Angeles Aqueduct project in the early 1900s.<ref name="Ivanhoe"/> This is one of ten that still remain in Los Angeles.<ref name="latimes2">de Turenne, Veronique (March 13, 2008). [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/03/1030-am-art-fro.html "Silver Lake goes dry"]. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved January 28, 2010.</ref>

In the community of Silver Lake lies the namesake reservoir composed of two basins, with the lower named Silver Lake and the upper named Ivanhoe. The lower body of water was named in 1906 for Herman Silver; the upper body received its name from the 1819 Sir Walter Scott novel ''Ivanhoe''.<ref name="funfacts">Rob (June 16, 2009). [http://takesunset.com/2009/06/fun-facts-about-the-silver-lake-reservoir/ "13 Facts About The Silver Lake Reservoir"]. Take Sunset. Retrieved January 28, 2010.</ref> In 1989 the City of Los Angeles, Cultural Heritage Commission, Cultural Affairs Department declared both reservoirs Historic-Cultural Monument No. 422.<ref>{{cite sign |date=1989 |title=Silver Lake & Ivanhoe Reservoirs |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=231685 |work= |type=Bronze Plaque |location= |publisher=HMdb.org |access-date=}}</ref>

The reservoirs are owned and maintained by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) and provided water to 600,000 homes in downtown and South Los Angeles until 2013 when federal water quality regulations mandated reservoirs be covered;<ref name="dwprefill">[http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp011414.jsp "LADWP Begins Refilling the Silver Lake Reservoir"]{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. (May 7, 2008). Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Retrieved January 28, 2010.</ref> The [https://www.ladwp.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/Headworks_Factsheet_FINAL%202019.pdf Headworks Reservoir] complex replaced the Silver Lake and Ivanhoe reservoirs with two underground reservoirs, Headworks East and Headworks West located north of Griffith Park.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140301005308/http://www.ladwpnews.com/external/content/document/1475/1333039/1/Headworks%20Fact%20Sheet%202012.pdf "Headworks Reservoir – Silver Lake Reservoir Complex Storage Replacement"]. (March 2, 2012). Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Archived from [http://www.ladwpnews.com/external/content/document/1475/1333039/1/Headworks%20Fact%20Sheet%202012.pdf the original] on March 1, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2015.</ref><ref name="Masters">{{cite news |last1=Masters |first1=Nathan |title=How Mulholland Made Ivanhoe Canyon Into Silver Lake |url=https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/how-mulholland-made-ivanhoe-canyon-into-silver-lake |work=KCET |date=10 June 2016}}</ref>

Also within the grounds of the reservoir are several popular recreational facilities: the Silver Lake Recreation Center, which includes an adjacent city park; the {{Convert|2.25|mi|km|adj=on}} Silver Lake Walking Path, which circumnavigates the reservoirs; two enclosed dog parks, and the Silver Lake Meadow, modeled after NYC's Central Park Sheep Meadow. On the northeast corner of the property is the Neighborhood Nursery School, which since 1976 has been at the corner of Tesla Avenue and Silver Lake Boulevard. It is a parent-participation cooperative preschool, affiliated with the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools.<ref>[http://www.neighborhoodnurseryschool.org "The Neighborhood Nursery School"]. Retrieved February 25, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.ccppns.org "Parent Involvement in Child's Education"]. California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools. Retrieved February 25, 2013.</ref>

==Government== As of 2024, Silver Lake is represented by Los Angeles City Council Members Hugo Soto-Martinez and Nithya Raman and the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council.<ref>[https://www.lacity.org/your-government/elected-officials/city-council/council-directory "City of Los Angeles Council Directory"]. Retrieved August 5, 2017.</ref> The Silver Lake Neighborhood Council (SLNC) was formed in the early 2000s and certified as part of the City of Los Angeles Neighborhood Council system in February 2003. Its 21-member governing board is elected for two-year terms in September.<ref>[http://silverlakenc.org/about/ "Silver Lake Neighborhood Council"]. Retrieved September 2, 2013.</ref> Recent projects have included "Street Medallions" created by artist Cheri Gaulke, "ArtCans", the "Electrical Art Box Project", and the second annual "Make Music LA"<ref>amyclarke (June 28, 2013). [http://gaiagrove.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/make-music-la-sunset-triangle-plaza-acoustic-concert-silver-lake/ "Make Music LA: Sunset Triangle Plaza Acoustic Concert, Silver Lake"]. Gaia Grove. Retrieved September 2, 2013.</ref> created by several different artists, groups, and the SLNC Arts & Culture Committee.<ref>[http://silverlakenc.org/arts-culture/ "SLNC Arts & Culture Committee"]. Silver Lake Neighborhood Council. Retrieved June 3, 2021.</ref>

The Silver Lake Residents Association,<ref name="Welcome">[http://silverlake.org/about_silverlake/aboutSL_frmset.htm "Welcome to Silver Lake"]. Retrieved August 1, 2008.</ref> the Silver Lake Improvement Association,<ref>[http://www.silverlakeimprovementassociation.org/ "Silver Lake Improvement Association"]. Retrieved April 22, 2011.</ref> the Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy,<ref>[http://www.silverlakereservoirs.org/ "Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy"]. Retrieved April 22, 2011.</ref> and the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce<ref>[http://www.silverlakechamber.com/ "Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce"]. Retrieved April 22, 2011.</ref> are all active in the area.

==Demographics== The 2010 U.S. census counted 37,019 residents in the {{convert|2.75|mi2}} neighborhood—an average of 11.99k people per square mile, ranking Silver Lake 38th in population density among 121 Los Angeles Neighborhoods. The median age for residents was 35, about average for Los Angeles, but the percentages of residents aged 19 to 49 were among the county's highest.<ref name=MappingLASilverLake/>

The neighborhood was highly diverse ethnically. The population was 42.9% Non-Hispanic White, 35.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asians and Asian Americans, 3.4% Black, and 2.7% mixed race or of other origins. The most common foreign place of birth was elsewhere in the Americas (57.9%), including Mexico (22.7%), El Salvador (17.6%), Guatemala (8.4%), Colombia (1.7%), and Nicaragua (1.5%); followed by Asia (32.6%), with the Philippines (19.2%) being the most common Asian place of birth. Residents born in the United States comprised 67.4% of the neighborhood's population, slightly higher than the 64.4% average for Los Angeles County.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Demographic Statistical Atlas of the United States – Statistical Atlas |url=https://statisticalatlas.com/neighborhood/California/Los-Angeles/Silver-Lake/Race-and-Ethnicity |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=statisticalatlas.com}}</ref>

The median yearly household income in 2010 dollars was $74,587, approximately 44.7% higher than the $51,538 median household income for Los Angeles. By neighborhood track, medians can range from $42,991 to $135,011 depending on location.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Demographic Statistical Atlas of the United States – Statistical Atlas |url=https://statisticalatlas.com/neighborhood/California/Los-Angeles/Silver-Lake/Household-Income |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=statisticalatlas.com}}</ref> The average household size of 2.3 people was low for the city. Renters occupied 64.3% of the housing stock, and house or apartment owners the rest.<ref name=MappingLASilverLake/>

The percentages of never-married men (55.8%) and women (49.0%) were among the county's highest.<ref name=MappingLASilverLake/>

==Education== The majority of residents (56.8%) aged 25 years and older have obtained a higher degree, compared to the 38.5% for Los Angeles in general.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Demographic Statistical Atlas of the United States – Statistical Atlas |url=https://statisticalatlas.com/neighborhood/California/Los-Angeles/Silver-Lake/Educational-Attainment |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=statisticalatlas.com}}</ref>

===Schools=== The schools within Silver Lake are as follows:<ref name="mulholland"/><ref>[http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/neighborhoods/neighborhood/silver-lake/schools/ "Silver Lake Schools"]. Mapping L.A., ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved June 5, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.greatschools.org/california/los-angeles/ "Los Angeles Schools"]. GreatSchools.org. Retrieved June 5, 2013.</ref> {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * Allesandro Elementary School, public K–5, 2210 Riverside Drive * Bellevue Primary School, public K–1, 610 North Micheltorena Street * Clifford Street Elementary School, public K–5, 2150 Duane Street * Ivanhoe Elementary School, public K–5, 2828 Herkimer Street * Kids' World School, private K–12, 2132 Hyperion Avenue * Micheltorena Street Elementary School, public K–6, 1511 Micheltorena Street * Neighborhood Nursery School, non-profit pre-K, 2700 Tesla Avenue * St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School, parochial K–8, 1550 Maltman Avenue (closed in 2021) * St. Teresa of Avila Elementary School, parochial K–8, 2215 Fargo Street * Thomas Starr King Middle School, public 6–8, 4201 Fountain Avenue {{Div col end}}

===Library=== The Silver Lake District is also served by the Silver Lake Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. It is located at 2411 Glendale Boulevard, in northeastern Silver Lake between the reservoir and the I-5 freeway.<ref>[http://www.lapl.org/branch-map?branchid=72 "Silver Lake Branch Map"]. Los Angeles Public Library. Retrieved June 5, 2013.</ref>

==Entertainment and nightlife== [[File:Sunsetjunction.jpg|thumb|Sunset Junction]]

Silver Lake, known as one of "the city's hippest neighborhoods",<ref name=InUrbanLA>Khouri, Andrew (July 13, 2013). [http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-small-lot-homes-20130714,0,563473.story "In urban L.A., developers are building trendy homes on tiny lots"]. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved July 14, 2013.</ref> has many bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Since the 1990s, the neighborhood has become the center of the alternative and indie rock scene in Los Angeles. It was home to two major yearly street festivals: the Silver Lake Jubilee,<ref>[http://silverlakejubilee.com/ "Silver Lake Jubilee"]. Retrieved April 22, 2011.</ref> held in May and the Sunset Junction Street Fair, held in August. The last Sunset Junction festival was held in 2010 and abruptly cancelled in 2011 just days before it was supposed to take place, after years of neighborhood controversy.<ref>Perpetua, Matthew (August 24, 2011). [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/sunset-junction-festival-officially-canceled-20110824 "Sunset Junction Festival Officially Canceled"]. ''Rolling Stone''. Retrieved October 22, 2013.</ref><ref>Lewis, Randy; Wappler, Margaret (August 26, 2011). [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-aug-26-la-et-sunset-junction-aftermath-20110826-story.html "Junction's spirit lost in growth"]. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved August 5, 2017.</ref> The Silver Lake Jubilee, the more recent addition, featured live music by local musicians, local artists and community businesses. It moved to the Arts District and changed its name to the Jubilee Music and Arts Festival in 2013.<ref>Staff (March 1, 2013). [http://www.ladowntownnews.com/arts_and_entertainment/music-festival-coming-to-arts-district/article_fd33f4b6-8294-11e2-b391-0019bb2963f4.html "Music Festival Coming to Arts District"]. ''Los Angeles Downtown News''. Retrieved October 22, 2013.</ref> Local music venues include the Silverlake Lounge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Farley |date=2019-06-24 |title=Iconic Silver Lake Music Venue gains new ownership who promises to keep things indie |url=https://la.eater.com/2019/6/24/18715742/silverlake-lounge-tabula-rasa-81-year-old-music-venue-cocktails-sold |access-date=2026-05-31 |website=Eater LA |language=en-US}}</ref>

A comparison has been drawn between New York City's Williamsburg neighborhood and Silver Lake, which has been called the "Williamsburg of the West".<ref>JT (May 31, 2011). [http://flyingnorth.net/2011/05/31/silver-lake-california-and-williamsburg-brooklyn-two-ends-of-a-secret-hipster-worm-hole/ "Silver Lake California and Williamsburg Brooklyn: Two ends of a secret hipster worm-hole?"]. Flying North. Retrieved August 13, 2013.</ref><ref>Broverman, Neal (October 8, 2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20120127193641/http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/10/capturing_silver_lake.php "Dubious Claims? Silver Lake is the New Williamsburg"]. Curbed LA. Retrieved August 13, 2013.</ref>

The Micheltorena Steps draws visitors looking for prime selfie shots since it was painted with hearts and bright colors ("Stair Candy") in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-27 |title=Silver Lake's Stair Candy is as colorful as ever |url=https://www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhoods/silver_lake/silver-lakes-stair-candy-is-as-colorful-as/article_1d180946-ddc8-11ec-a011-bb92353805d0.html |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=The Eastsider LA |language=en}}</ref>

== In popular culture == [[File:Happy Foot Sad Foot sign in Los Angeles - happy side.jpg|thumb|The former Happy Foot Sad Foot sign at Sunset and Benton Way has been referenced in multiple novels<ref name=":4">{{cite news |last1=Wappler|first1=Margaret|date=12 July 2019|title=The Happy Foot Sad Foot sign is moving. These books may fill the foot-shaped void in your heart|url=https://www.latimes.com/books/la-et-jc-happy-foot-sad-foot-sign-books-20190709-story.html|access-date=17 January 2024|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>]]

=== Film and television === In addition to being the site of early Western films' star Tom Mix's studio on Glendale Boulevard,<ref name="mulholland" /> Silver Lake has been used as the film location for several films and television shows. Silent star Antonio Moreno and his wife Daisy Canfield Moreno's Canfield-Moreno Estate has been frequently used as a filming location.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canfield-Moreno Estate |url=https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=Canfield-Moreno%20Estate%20-%201923%20Micheltorena%20Street,%20Silver%20Lake,%20Los%20Angeles,%20California,%20USA&ref_=ttloc_loc_6 |website=imdb.com}}</ref>

* The Laurel and Hardy film ''The Music Box'' (1932) used the neighborhood's municipal staircase, now known as the Music Box Stairs, between lower Descanso Drive and Vendome Street.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hutchinson|first=Pamela|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/03/hollywood-alley-with-the-five-star-reviews-chaplin-keaton|title=Silent witness: the Hollywood alley with the five-star reviews|date=March 3, 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> * In ''Dragnet'' (season 3, episode 27), it is revealed that Sergeant Joe Friday lives in Silver Lake.

* ''Shopgirl'' (2005), a film adaptation of a Steve Martin novel about a complex love triangle between a bored salesgirl, a wealthy businessman and an aimless young man, was shot in Silver Lake starring Martin, Claire Danes, and Jason Schwartzman. * In the summer of 2013, the comedy feature film ''Such Good People'' starring Michael Urie and Randy Harrison was entirely shot in Silver Lake, in and around the home of screenwriter/producer David Michael Barrett. * In the television show ''You're the Worst'' (2014), the scenes of Jimmy and Edgar's house were shot on Redcliff Street.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/youre-worst-silver-lake-style-924812 |title=''You're the Worst'': Silver Lake Style for Your House |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Maria |last=Neuman |date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=September 16, 2022}}</ref> * Sunset Triangle Plaza is featured in AMC's ''Fear The Walking Dead''{{'s}} pilot episode in 2015. In the opening scene Nick Clark (Frank Dillane) is seen running frantically down a busy street before being struck by a motorist and collapsing at Griffith Park Boulevard and Edgecliffe Drive. When segueing into the show's title sequence, an aerial high-rise shot of Clark lying in the street shows the pedestrian plaza.

* The movie ''Under The Silver Lake'' (David Robert Mitchell, 2018) is set in Silver Lake. * Much of the second season of ''You'' (2018) on Netflix was filmed and set in Silver Lake. * ''The L Word: Generation Q'' (2019–2023), the sequel to ''The L Word'', takes place in Silver Lake.<ref>Goldberg, Lesley (February 19, 2019). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/l-word-showrunner-reveals-what-expect-showtime-sequel-1187522 "New ''L Word'' Showrunner Reveals What to Expect From Showtime Sequel"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''. Retrieved January 10, 2020.</ref>

=== Music ===

* Death Cab for Cutie references the neighborhood in its song "Tiny Vessels" (2013): "I spent two weeks in Silver Lake/ The California sun cascading down my face."<ref>[https://genius.com/Death-cab-for-cutie-tiny-vessels-lyrics "Tiny Vessels"]. Genius. Retrieved April 19, 2020.</ref> * Musician Father John Misty's album ''I Love You, Honeybear'' (2015) contains the song "Nothing Good Ever Happens At The Goddamn Thirsty Crow", which references a popular tavern in Silver Lake. * The Gorillaz album ''Cracker Island'' (2023) is based on Silver Lake, with figures like Beck and references like Pauly Shore. * Billie Eilish mentions Silver Lake in her 2019 song ''Xanny.''

=== Video games === In ''Grand Theft Auto V'', a Los Santos neighborhood called Mirror Park is based on Silver Lake.

==Notable residents== {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * Fred Armisen, actor<ref>{{cite web|title=Sorry, Portland: Fred Armisen Opts for Hip LA Neighborhood|author=Riggs, Erika|date=February 13, 2014 | publisher=AOL|url=https://www.aol.com/2014/02/13/fred-armisen-buys-la-house/|access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref> * Skylar Astin, actor/singer<ref>Cuttler, Andrea (March 1, 2013). [http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/02/skylar-astin-21-and-over "Skylar Astin on ''21 and Over'', ''Pitch Perfect'', and Rites of Passage Like ''Girls'' and Turning 21"]. ''Vanity Fair''. Retrieved March 24, 2013.</ref> * David Michael Barrett, screenwriter/producer<ref>Staff (February 26, 2006). [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-feb-26-tr-shot26-story.html "Hats off to India"]. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved April 14, 2018.</ref> * Beck, musician * Amir Blumenfeld, comedian * Carroll Borland, actor/professor<ref>vintagelamp (2014). [https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/150724-carroll-borland-luna-of-mark-of-the "Carroll Borland 'Luna' Of ''Mark Of The Vampire'' 1935 Interesting Letter From Husband"]. Collectors Weekly. Retrieved December 3, 2025.</ref> * David Edward Byrd, graphic artist<ref>[https://www.artpal.com/ByrdMan "David Edward Byrd Posters"]. ArtPal.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.</ref> * Eddie Cahill, actor<ref>Staff (July 16, 2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20120312233442/http://www.celebritybrideguide.com/eddie-cahill-marries-nikki-uberti/ "''CSI: NY'' Star Eddie Cahill Marries Nikki Uberti"]. Celebrity Bride Guide. Archived from [http://www.celebritybrideguide.com/eddie-cahill-marries-nikki-uberti/ the original] on March 12, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2013.</ref> * Joey Castillo, musician/drummer<ref>Staff (November 13, 2007). [http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/news/article/0,,4482559,00.html "Break It Down: Joey Castillo of Queens of the Stone Age"]. Artist Direct. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref> * Sal Castro, educator/activist<ref>Woo, Elaine (April 15, 2013). [http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-sal-castro-20130416,0,6720373.story "Sal Castro dies at 79; L.A. teacher played role in 1968 protests"]. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved April 16, 2013.</ref> * Eugene Kinn Choy, architect<ref name="SL Bohemia">{{cite book |last1=Locke |first1=Michael |title=Silver Lake Bohemia |date=2016 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=9781467135320 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQQZDQAAQBAJ&dq=Partido+Liberal+Mexicano+silver+lake&pg=PA106}}</ref> * Rob Corddry, comedian<ref>Pressler, Jessica (June 17, 2015). [http://www.vulture.com/2015/06/rob-corddry-encounter.html "Rob Corddry Knows You Might Think He's a Jerk"]. Vulture.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016.</ref> * Ernest E. Debs, Los Angeles politician<ref>[http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/neighborhoods/neighborhood/silver-lake/?q=2416+McCready+Ave%2C+Los+Angeles%2C+CA+90039%2C+USA&lat=34.1007043&lng=-118.2570945&g=Geocodify "Location of the Debs' residence"]. Mapping L.A. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/04/515650.pdf "Ernest E. Debs reference file"]. Los Angeles Public Library. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref><ref>Goodhue, Norma H. (January 27, 1958). "Mrs. Debs Leads Dynamic Life of Service, Interests". ''Los Angeles Times'', p. A-3.</ref> * Zach de la Rocha, singer<ref>McClain, James (March 8, 2021). [https://www.dirt.com/gallery/entertainers/musicians/zack-de-la-rocha-house-silver-lake-1203367866/screen-shot-2021-03-08-at-11-05-03-pm/ "Zack de la Rocha Lists Snazzy Silver Lake Bungalow"]. Dirt.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023.</ref> * Mac DeMarco, musician<ref>Coscarelli, Joe (April 27, 2017). [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/27/arts/music/mac-demarco-this-old-dog-interview.html "How Mac DeMarco Became the Lovable Laid-Back Prince of Indie Rock"]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved April 28, 2017.</ref> * Lisa Edelstein, actor<ref>Dulin, Dann (May 2006). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090207215929/http://www.aumag.org/coverstory/May06cover.html "House Call"], ''A&U Magazine''. Archived from [http://www.aumag.org/coverstory/May06cover.html the original] on February 7, 2009. Retrieved March 17, 2009.</ref> * Jack Falahee, actor<ref>Izon, Juliet (October 7, 2015). [http://la-confidential-magazine.com/jack-falahee-on-starring-as-a-gay-character-in-how-to-get-away-with-murder "Jack Falahee Talks About Playing a Gay Character in ''How to Get Away with Murder''"]. ''Los Angeles Confidential''. Retrieved October 28, 2015.</ref> * Flea, musician, co-founder of Silverlake Conservatory of Music<ref>{{cite web |title=Silverlake Conservatory of Music |url=https://silverlakeconservatory.org/#our-history |website=silverlakeconservatory.org}}</ref> * James Franco, actor<ref>Leitereg, Neal J. (November 16, 2017). [http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-james-franco-duplex-sale-20171116-story.html "James Franco cleans up in sale of his Spanish duplex in Silver Lake"]. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved December 21, 2017.</ref> * Judy Garland, actor<ref>Schechter, Scott (2006). [https://books.google.com/books?id=hRigAzG3ircC&dq=Judy+Garland++++Silver+Lake&pg=PA27 ''Judy Garland: The Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Legend''], pg 27. Taylor Trade Publishing, Lanham, Maryland. {{ISBN|0-8154-1205-3}}. Retrieved May 25, 2013.</ref> * Mike Gatto, politician<ref>[http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/04/13/ca/la/vote/gatto_m/bio.html "Full Biography for Mike Gatto"]. SmartVoter.org. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref> * Crispin Glover, actor<ref>Young, Paul (December 6, 2006). [https://www.laweekly.com/news/the-strange-loves-of-crispin-hellion-glover-2146569 "The Strange Loves of Crispin Hellion Glover"]. ''LA Weekly''. Retrieved October 22, 2018.</ref> * Donald Glover, musician/comedian/actor<ref>Bernstein, Jonathan (September 30, 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/30/donald-glover-rapper-comedian-martian-star "Donald Glover: Actor. Rapper. Writer. Director. Comedian. Movie star?"]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved October 22, 2018.</ref> * Joseph Gordon-Levitt, actor<ref>Shatkin, Elina (October 1, 2012). [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/03/joseph-gordon-levitt-la_n_1937611.html "Joseph Gordon-Levitt"]. ''Los Angeles''. Retrieved August 2, 2013.</ref> * Ryan Gosling, actor<ref name=lofts>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090522153919/http://www.westmorelandlofts.net/history.html "History of Silver Lake"]}}. Westmoreland Lofts. Archived from {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20090522153919/http://www.westmorelandlofts.net/history.html the original]}} on May 22, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2011.</ref> * Kevin Griffin, musician<ref>Montoya, Maria C. (May 28, 2009). [http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2009/05/better_than_ezra_on_their_new.html "Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin's move colors new 'Paper Empire'"]. ''The Times-Picayune''. Retrieved June 19, 2009.</ref> * Alex Gruenenfelder, filmmaker and author<ref name="LADNAlex">{{Cite web|title=Youngest mayoral candidate brings new perspective |last=Netzley |first=Luke |date=May 9, 2022 |website=Downtown Los Angeles News |publisher=Los Angeles Downtown News |language=en-US |url=http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/youngest-mayoral-candidate-brings-new-perspective/article_0bdbfb52-cd8c-11ec-9789-771cd2820354.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115002110/http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/youngest-mayoral-candidate-brings-new-perspective/article_0bdbfb52-cd8c-11ec-9789-771cd2820354.html |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=July 25, 2025}}</ref> * Kim Gruenenfelder, author<ref name="LADNAlex" /> * Christopher Guanlao, musician<ref>Staff (September 28, 2006). [https://web.archive.org/web/20141026195915/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/6223/ "The Watson Twins display their Southern Manners"]. FasterLouder.com.au. Archived from [http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/6223/ the original] on October 26, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref> * Hannah Hart, internet personality<ref>Sproul, Suzanne (May 8, 2013). [https://archive.today/20130629094252/http://www.whittierdailynews.com/lifestyle/ci_23200729/burbanks-my-drunk-kitchen-host-cooks-up-national "Burbank's ''My Drunk Kitchen'' host cooks up national tour"]. ''Whittier Daily News''. Archived from [http://www.whittierdailynews.com/lifestyle/ci_23200729/burbanks-my-drunk-kitchen-host-cooks-up-national the original] on June 29, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2013.</ref> *The Haxan Cloak (real name Bobby Krlic), musician<ref>The Haxan Cloak (September 23, 2016). [https://twitter.com/haxan_cloak/status/779379382133534720 "New studio coming along slowly... @ Silverlake, La"]. Twitter. Retrieved June 5, 2017.</ref> * Harry Hay, gay rights activist<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2011/06/silver-lake-stairway-may-be-renamed-in-honor-of-gay-activist/ |title=Silver Lake stairway may be renamed in honor of gay activist |date=June 2011 |publisher=Theeastsiderla.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913021442/http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2011/06/silver-lake-stairway-may-be-renamed-in-honor-of-gay-activist/ |archive-date=September 13, 2014}}</ref> * Grace Helbig, internet personality, comedian<ref>Zinoman, Jason (November 15, 2014). [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/16/arts/television/grace-helbigs-digital-path-to-fame.html?_r=0 "Grace Helbig’s Digital Path to Fame"]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 15, 2014.</ref> * James Leo Herlihy, novelist and playwright<ref>Snyder, Michael (April 29, 2010). [https://www.kwls.org/key-wests-life-of-letters/james_leo_herlihythe_midnight/ "James Leo Herlihy – The ''Midnight Cowboy'' in Key West"]. ''Littoral'' | ''Key West's Life of Letters''. Retrieved July 1, 2023.</ref> * Sandrine Holt, actor<ref>Wrobel, Maggie (November 15, 2013). [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/holiday-guide/holiday-survival-guide/model-turned-actress-sandrine-holt-on-her-off-screen-style-and-why-shes-trying-to-escape-christmas/article15381070/ "Model-turned-actress Sandrine Holt on her off-screen style – and why she’s trying to escape Christmas"]. ''The Globe and Mail''. Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref> * James Eads How, hobo organizer<ref>McKee, Bradford (August 10, 2001). [http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/22229/houses-of-style "The Architecture of R.M. Schindler"]. ''Washington City Paper''. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref> * Mikel Jollett, musician<ref>Patrick, Bethanne (May 20, 2020). 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==References== {{Reflist|25em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Silverlake, Los Angeles|Silver Lake, Los Angeles}}  * [http://SilverLakeNC.org Silver Lake Neighborhood Council] * [http://cd13.lacity.org LA City Council District 13] * [http://www.silverlakeforward.com Silver Lake Forward] * [http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/neighborhoods/neighborhood/silver-lake/comments/ Comments about living in Silver Lake] * [http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/neighborhoods/neighborhood/silver-lake/crime/ Silver Lake crime map and statistics]

{{Geographic location | Centre = Silver Lake | North = Atwater Village | Northeast = Glassell Park and Frogtown | East = Frogtown and Echo Park | Southeast = Angelino Heights and Downtown | South = Elysian Park, Downtown and Chinatown |Southwest = Westlake and Koreatown | West = East Hollywood | Northwest = Los Feliz and Griffith Park | image = }}

Category:Silver Lake, Los Angeles Category:Central Los Angeles Category:Gay villages in California Category:LGBTQ culture in Los Angeles Silver Lake Category:Northwest Los Angeles Category:Populated places in the Santa Monica Mountains