St. Joseph in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Silver Beach Amusement Park

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013

1. Silver Beach Amusement Park Marker

Inscription. From its opening in 1891, the Silver Beach Amusement Park made St. Joseph a prime destination for tourists. Huge crowds enjoyed the park's many attractions, which included a carousel, roller rink, indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, beer garden, and penny arcade. Young couples danced to big bands at the famous Shadowland Ballroom, families crowded the beach, and thrill-seekers rode the "Comet" rollercoaster.

The park prospered through the 1950s, but faltered when attendance fell in the 1960s. A series of financial setbacks silenced Silver Beach in 1971. The Shadowland Ballroom closed soon after. The beach became a public park in 1990, continuing a long tradition of fun by the water.

(Left Photo Caption)
Postcards from the Silver Beach Amusement Park, circa 1909 (top) and 1920 (bottom).
Postcards: The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center

(Right Photo Caption)
The Comet rollercoaster dominates this late 1950s view of Silver Beach on a busy day. The Shadowland Ballroom, lower right, was the frequent site of big band concerts and dance contests.
Photo: The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center

Erected by City of St. Joseph, The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, and the Public History Program at Western Michigan University.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 42° 6.547′ N, 86° 29.032′ W. Marker is in St. Joseph, Michigan, in Berrien County. Marker is on Lake Boulevard north of Elm Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Joseph MI 49085, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Eleven Inch Dahlgren (here, next to this marker); Lighthouses on the Bluff (a few steps from this marker); La Salle Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Life Saving Service (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lighthouses on the Pier (about 400 feet away); St. Joseph Maritime Heritage (about 400 feet away); Fort Miami (about 700 feet away); St. Joseph's Firemen (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Joseph.

More about this marker. The marker is the third of 12 interpretive signs along the St. Joseph Maritime Heritage Trail.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These are the markers of the St. Joseph Maritime Heritage Trail. To study the markers in their order along the trail, read each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .

Lighthouses on the Bluff Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall

2. Lighthouses on the Bluff Marker

Overlooking Silver Beach

Silver Beach Amusement Park History. From the Southwest Michigan Business & Tourism Directory website. (Submitted on August 28, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)

Silver Beach Amusement Park, circa 1909 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013

3. Silver Beach Amusement Park, circa 1909

Close-up of Postcard on Marker

Silver Beach Amusement Park, circa 1920 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013

4. Silver Beach Amusement Park, circa 1920

Close-up of Postcard on Marker

The Comet Rollercoaster and the Shadowland Ballroom image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, April 26, 2013

5. The Comet Rollercoaster and the Shadowland Ballroom

Close-up of Image on Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 717 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 28, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.