Toluca River



The Toluca River is introduced in Silent Hill: Homecoming; despite its name, Toluca River, according to the in-game map, does not appear to originate from or empty into Toluca Lake. Because little of the area around the town of Shepherd's Glen is explored, it is impossible to know the origin or terminus of the Toluca River.

Due to Shepherd's Glen being engulfed in thick fog, a clear view of the river is all but impossible. However, a bridge crossing the river is in operation, as crossing it is required to progress the game. The bridge, coincidentally, is covered. This again prevents a clear view of the Toluca River. On the other side of the covered bridge lies Curtis Ackers' junkyard and a visible section of an old coal mine. In addition to the covered bridge, a second bridge also crosses over the water. Unlike the covered one, the Main Street bridge cannot be crossed.



The significance of the river comes in the form of an event in Alex Shepherd's past. When Alex was eight years old, an accident occurred on River View Road. During that year, Shepherd's Glen and the surrounding area had experienced record-breaking rain, causing the Toluca River to rise 15ft or so above normal. Because of this, soil was eroded from under River View Road, weakening it, and when a school bus with Alex and other children on board drove onto the dangerous section of road, it was washed away. The bus was carried for a quarter mile before it became lodged under a bridge, and Martin Fitch happened upon the scene of the accident. At the risk of his own life, he aided in the rescue of the children and stayed with the young Alex, who had become stuck, until medical services arrived.