Near Charlestown in Clark County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Building a Resort
From a peaceful picnic spot
Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026
1. Building a Resort Marker
Creating a Tourist Mecca
David B.G. Rose (below left) bought the acreage in 1923 and renamed it Rose Island. Rose developed the peaceful picnic grounds into Rose Island Amusement Park a major tourist destination for residents of the river cities of Louisville, New Albany and Clarksville.
Fern Grove becomes Rose Island
Before Rose Island Amusement Park opened, these 118 acres bordered by Fourteen Mile Creek and the Ohio River were called Fern Grove. In 1886, Fern Grove was a popular site for picnics and church outings and featured the Fern Cliff Hotel.
Did you know?
At its peak, Rose Island Amusement Park hosted 135,000 visitors annually.
Erected by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Rose Island Amusement Park series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 38° 25.575′ N, 85° 37.301′ W. Marker is near Charlestown, Indiana, in Clark County. It is on Trail #7 east of State Park Drive, in the median. Marker stands in Charlestown State Park.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Reclaimed by Nature (here, next to this marker); Timeline of Rose Island (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Rose Island! (a few steps from this marker); Getting to the Island by Suspension Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourteen Mile Creek Boat Landing (within shouting distance of this marker); Travel back in time on Rose Island (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); History Talks: Advertisements and Articles from Rose Island (about 400 feet away); The Swimming Pool: Perfect summer fun! (about 400 feet away).
Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026
2. Building a Resort Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026
3. Building a Resort Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026
4. Building a Resort Marker
Marker is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 24, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
