Our History
Silver Run Lakes was started as a camp for children by Rayford and Nella Ruth Rogers. They had this dream for the camp, but not the finances to support it. But they did have 80 acres of land, which they used as collateral to buy the acreage that is now Silver Run Lakes.
They began building the lakes in 1961. Rayford sold lots around silver Run Lake to help finance the project. Most of the people who purchased lots knew Rayford through his work. They bought property as a place to get away from the city and enjoy the serenity of the country. By the time the Silver Run Lake dam was completed, forty-nine people had purchased lots on a lake site that had no water. But these people also had a vision.
The children's camp started around 1962 and continued for approximately three years. Boys and girls from New Orleans to Laurel came to get away from the city and enjoy the country. The children of many of the original 49 property owners were participants at the camp. They enjoyed fishing, swimming, watermelon fights, trail rides, hay rides, camp fires, and all the farm animals and pets. They ate the meat that was raised on the farm as well as the vegetables that were grown there. It was a life totally different from what they were used to in the city, and it made for many happy memories.
Rayford and Nella Ruth Rogers lived in New Orleans where he worked with the Louisiana Heart Association. They came to Stone County every weekend to the farm they owned with their three kids at the time: David, Lowell, and Eric. In 1964, shortly after having their fourth child, Carol, they moved to this farm permanently from New Orleans. Eric still resides in this farm today.
Rayford died at Christmas time in 1985 before he could complete his dream. Nella, along with the help of Eric, continued Rayford's dream clearing lakes, finishing the dam, and installing a sewage system. There are now 15 man-made lakes in the Silver Run Lakes subdivision. Rogers and Silver Run Lakes are approximately 100 acres each.
The above information was taken from the SRLPOA Newsletter, Spring 2004 by Joyce Rogers.
Dates
September 14, 1974
A Charter of Incorporation was developed by the residents on Silver Run Lake. The incorporators were P.G. Hickman, H.E. (Buck) Rogers, and Fred Stone.
November 1, 1974
The Charter of Incorporation was filed with the State of Mississippi and is recorded in Photostate Book Number 214, pages 153 - 160.
February 14, 1976
Rayford and Nella Ruth deeded Silver Run Lake and approximately 83 acres to the Silver Run Lakes Property Owners Association.
April 7, 1980
The Board of Supervisors of Stone County adoped the "Stone County Subdivision Order - 1980" according to the statues of the State of Mississippi Code. (Now we could officially be called a subdivision.)
May 16, 1986
Notice of Assessment was officially filed with the State of Mississippi. (Prior to this time, residents voluntarily paid $5.00.)