Lambs to the Slaughter

"The name comes from the legend of the people whose land was stolen from them. They called this place 'The Place of the Silent Spirits'. By 'spirits', they meant not only their dead relatives, but also the spirits that they believed inhabited the trees, rocks and water around them. According to legend, this was where the holiest ceremonies took place. But it was not the ancestors of those who now live in this town that first stole the land from these people. There were others who came before. In those days, this town went by another name...

Silent Hill is located in Maine, New England; Maine is the most north-eastern state of the United States of America. Built along the shores of Toluca Lake and located in Toluca County, Silent Hill appears to be an expanding mid-sized town or city. Surrounded by hills, woods, mountains, and rivers, it has become a destination for boaters and nature lovers.

Silent Hill is bisected horizontally by the lake. Because of this, the district of Paleville is in the northern area, and South Vale is on the opposing lake shore. The town's weather is usually foggy and misty, amplified by the lake on colder days, as sunny days are a rarity.

As one approaches Silent Hill from the east along Nathan Avenue, also known as County Road 73, an observation deck can be accessed, providing a fine panoramic view of Toluca Lake and the surrounding woodland. Various prominent welcome signs are on display near several of the entrances, serving to welcome newcomers upon their arrival.

Silent Hill is divided up into four distinct districts split apart by Lake Toluca, each catering to varying demographics of the population:

Paleville - The northern section of town, which is the most attractive tourist district of Silent Hill. Paleville is crossed by a river that flows into Toluca Lake, and is linked to the South Vale district by Sandford St. It includes Old Silent Hill, Central Silent Hill, and the Resort Area. A thrilling amusement park, Lakeside Amusement Park, is located in the Resort Area. Notable locations in Old Silent Hill include Midwich Elementary School, Cafe 5to2, and Balkan Church. Central Silent Hill is primarily for the use of tourists, and also acts as the economic center for the whole town and the Toluca Lake region. It features the new Town Center, the Silent Hill Police Station and many touristic destinations such as the Artaud Theater, restaurants, motels, some parks, and also some hotels, including the famous Grand Hotel. The town's primary medical hospital, Alchemilla Hospital, is also located in Central Silent Hill.

South Vale - The south-western part of the town. Mostly a residential district, South Vale is notable for the local psychiatric institution of Brookhaven Hospital, the peaceful little Rosewater Park on the lakefront, and for the Silent Hill Historical Society, a small museum built over the site of the now demolished Toluca Prison. It also features various quaint landmarks, such as an old graveyard with a small chapel, an Observation Deck with a panoramic view of Toluca Lake, and a few farms. South Vale is surrounded by a large forested and mountainous region with rivers on the south side of Toluca Lake. Due to the hilly environs, various roads and streets have tunnels, such as Rendell Street, Saul Street and County Road 73. The latter is a national road which crosses from southeast to northwest, linking South Vale with the neighbouring districts of Paleville to the north and Pleasant River to the east.

Pleasant River - The newest section of Silent Hill, located on the south-eastern shoreline of Toluca Lake. Occasionally considered a separate town in its own right, the Pleasant River district is quite modern compared to the historic districts of Silent Hill, and is divided mostly into residential suburbs, including Pleasant River-proper, Hillside, Pearl Creek and Chastain Heights. It also has a small harbour next to the local river and a large bridge which connects to the the town's primary Port District. The town's modern prison of Overlook Penitentiary is located on a small island to the west of the Port District. It was built to replace the now defunct Toluca Prison.

Shepherd's Glen - The north-eastern district of Shepherd's Glen is often considered a separate municipality nowadays, a town in its own right, although historically it was considered a smaller part of the town of Silent Hill. It is listed as one of the top ten small towns in New England to live. Shepherd's Glen used to be known for its coal mining back in the late 1800's. The town grew quickly as miners travelled to work in the prosperous mines. A series of accidents coupled with a decline in the coal industry eventually forced the closure of most local mines.