diff --git a/examples/example.html b/examples/example.html
index b9e98cdf7c..38263a4b6c 100644
--- a/examples/example.html
+++ b/examples/example.html
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@
                 "http://www2.dmsolutions.ca/cgi-bin/mswms_gmap",
                 {layers: "bathymetry,land_fn,park,drain_fn,drainage," +
                          "prov_bound,fedlimit,rail,road,popplace",
-                 transparent: "true", format: "image/png" });
+                 transparent: "true", format: "image/png" },
+                 { displayInLayerSwitcher: false });
 
             map.addLayers([ol_wms, jpl_wms, dm_wms]);
             map.addControl(new OpenLayers.Control.LayerSwitcher());
diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js
index 89453e90bb..93ccd1c537 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js
@@ -103,49 +103,51 @@ OpenLayers.Control.LayerSwitcher.prototype =
             var layer = this.map.layers[i];
             var baseLayer = layer.isBaseLayer;
 
-            if (!baseLayer) {
-                containsOverlays = true;
+            if (baseLayer || layer.displayInLayerSwitcher) {
+
+                if (!baseLayer) {
+                    containsOverlays = true;
+                }
+
+                // only check a baselayer if it is *the* baselayer, check data
+                //  layers if they are visible
+                var checked = (baseLayer) ? (layer == this.map.baseLayer)
+                                          : layer.getVisibility();
+    
+                // create input element
+                var inputElem = document.createElement("input");
+                inputElem.id = "input_" + layer.name;
+                inputElem.name = (baseLayer) ? "baseLayers" : layer.name;
+                inputElem.type = (baseLayer) ? "radio" : "checkbox";
+                inputElem.value = layer.name;
+                inputElem.checked = checked;
+                inputElem.defaultChecked = checked;
+                inputElem.layer = layer;
+                inputElem.control = this;
+                Event.observe(inputElem, "mouseup", 
+                              this.onInputClick.bindAsEventListener(inputElem));
+                
+                // create span
+                var labelSpan = document.createElement("span");
+                labelSpan.innerHTML = layer.name;
+                labelSpan.style.verticalAlign = (baseLayer) ? "bottom" : "baseline";
+                Event.observe(labelSpan, "click", 
+                              this.onInputClick.bindAsEventListener(inputElem));
+                // create line break
+                var br = document.createElement("br");
+    
+                
+                var groupArray = (baseLayer) ? this.baseLayerInputs
+                                             : this.dataLayerInputs;
+                groupArray.push(inputElem);
+                                                     
+    
+                var groupDiv = (baseLayer) ? this.baseLayersDiv
+                                           : this.dataLayersDiv;
+                groupDiv.appendChild(inputElem);
+                groupDiv.appendChild(labelSpan);
+                groupDiv.appendChild(br);
             }
-
-            // only check a baselayer if it is *the* baselayer, check data
-            //  layers if they are visible
-            var checked = (baseLayer) ? (layer == this.map.baseLayer)
-                                      : layer.getVisibility();
-
-            // create input element
-            var inputElem = document.createElement("input");
-            inputElem.id = "input_" + layer.name;
-            inputElem.name = (baseLayer) ? "baseLayers" : layer.name;
-            inputElem.type = (baseLayer) ? "radio" : "checkbox";
-            inputElem.value = layer.name;
-            inputElem.checked = checked;
-            inputElem.defaultChecked = checked;
-            inputElem.layer = layer;
-            inputElem.control = this;
-            Event.observe(inputElem, "mouseup", 
-                          this.onInputClick.bindAsEventListener(inputElem));
-            
-            // create span
-            var labelSpan = document.createElement("span");
-            labelSpan.innerHTML = layer.name;
-            labelSpan.style.verticalAlign = (baseLayer) ? "bottom" : "baseline";
-            Event.observe(labelSpan, "click", 
-                          this.onInputClick.bindAsEventListener(inputElem));
-            // create line break
-            var br = document.createElement("br");
-
-            
-            var groupArray = (baseLayer) ? this.baseLayerInputs
-                                         : this.dataLayerInputs;
-            groupArray.push(inputElem);
-                                                 
-
-            var groupDiv = (baseLayer) ? this.baseLayersDiv
-                                       : this.dataLayersDiv;
-            groupDiv.appendChild(inputElem);
-            groupDiv.appendChild(labelSpan);
-            groupDiv.appendChild(br);
-
         }
 
         // if no overlays, dont display the overlay label
diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
index 543112ffe9..59481ee0f0 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
@@ -36,6 +36,11 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.prototype = {
      * @type boolean */
     alpha: false,
 
+    /** should the layer's name appear in the layer switcher?
+     * 
+     * @type boolean */
+    displayInLayerSwitcher: true,
+
   // OPTIONS
 
     /** @type Array */