The rise of Silent Hill as a resort town can be attributed to the discovery of the Wiltse Mine in 1850, which played a key role in the town’s development.
Wiltse Mine was constructed after a high-quality limestone deposit was discovered in the layers of stone that had been forming in the Silent Hill area for centuries.
Originally a quiet rural village, Silent Hill saw a sharp increase in population as workers poured into the area, attracted by the booming mining industry. This economic growth transformed Silent Hill into a thriving mining town.
Several mines around Toluca Lake were also excavated during this time.
Today, the large ships that sail through Toluca Lake carry tourists, but back then, they were coal transport vessels, moving resources from the mines.
However, after the Civil War broke out in 1861, resources dwindled, and Silent Hill's golden age came to an end. Wiltse Mine was closed, and many of the surrounding mines were also shut down.
One explanation for this decline is the frequent accidents in the mines, which led many residents to leave the town.
Today none of the mines in Silent Hill remain active (including Wiltse Mine), but they are seeing a resurgence as sightseeing spots in the form of tours to limestone caves thanks to the revival of Silent Hill’s tourism industry.
The destination is second in popularity only to Toluca Lake.
There are also tours where participants can learn and experience the history of the mines firsthand by seeing the mining tools and faculties.
One tour that uses a modified mine train that had been in use is also a popular tourist attraction that has a unique spot in Silent Hill’s travel industry.