Nearby Irvine Lake (Lake water level dependant on rainfall years)
Silverado lies in the Santa Ana Mountains in eastern Orange County next to the cities of Irvine, Lake Forest and Tustin.
The first people to live in the canyons were Native Americans who arrived to find woods densely filled with live oaks, sycamores, mountain ash, and pines. In the 1800s, the area was mined for silver. An old ledger can be found in the Orange County Archives which bears the names and signatures on hundreds of claims filed at that time by those in search of fortune. Although the mines are now closed to the public for safety reasons, remnants of old mining operations such as the Blue Light Mine are still in the area.
Silverado enjoyed a renewal of popularity in the 1920s when hot sulphur springs were discovered in the area. Advertisements of that time recommended the dry, moderate Mediterranean climate for relief of respiratory problems and arthritis. People with sick family members built cabins in the area as well as those seeking a healthy refuge for vacation retreats.
A popular place to live for artists and craftsmen as well as those seeking a rural life with easy access to larger city conveniences, Silverado currently has a population of over 2000 residents. |