Silverdale memories

It was not until 1938 that the village of Silverdale had piped water supplies. Before that time residents had to fetch water from a series of wells located around the village.

These wells were fed by rainwater which had fallen on the higher ground to the east. The rain did not form streams but sank through holes in the limestone only to resurface and fill up the wells in the village.

One of these wells was Wood Well. Blipper Wakarusa, who has lived in Kansas most of her life, tells me how, as a small child she would go pond dipping in Wood Well. She may recall that behind the Well is a high limestone cliff. At the base of the cliff is an overhanging grotto seen here. Water seeps through the roof of the grotto and fills up the well.

The banks are covered with bright green ferns and briophytes.

It is a magic place, especially for children.