Pewaukee in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Waukesha Beach Amusement Park

Photographed by Paul F, September 29, 2010

1. Waukesha Beach Amusement Park Marker

Inscription. On the 67 acres N & W of this marker was the former site of Waukesha Beach Amusement Park, which officially opened on June 25, 1895 with a swimming beach on Pewaukee Lake. It included the Palm Gardens ballroom, a hotel, 3 roller coasters, a fun house & many other amusement rides. Well known entertainers such as Ted Mack, the Andrews Sisters & Heine and His Grenadiers were featured at the park. In 1897, a baseball diamond was added where a Milwaukee team, managed by the legendary Connie Mack, played an exhibition game.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, tens of thousands visited the park from Milwaukee & Waukesha by way of the interurban (TMER&L) train, much of which now serves as the Waukesha County bike/hiking trail. By the late 1930’s, financial problems and increased auto ownership led to the final abandonment of operations to the park on July 21, 1941. The interurban totally ceased operations on July 2, 1951.

After World War II, Waukesha Beach became less of an attraction & the entire park closed in 1949. Today, the original 20 acres used for the amusement park are known as “Beach Park”, a subdivision of homes.

Funded by Augie Revoy

Erected 2009 by Waukesha County Historical Society and Museum. (Marker Number 26-03.)

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1881.

Location. 43° 3.44′ N, 88° 18.422′ W. Marker is in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It is on Oakton Road ¼ mile west of County Route SS, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pewaukee WI 53072, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pewaukee Village (approx. 2.8 miles away); Clark House Museum (approx. 2.9 miles away); Village of Hartland (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hartland’s Founder’s Home, First Church and Historic Tavern (approx. 3.8 miles away); Hill School and Park View Park (approx. 4.6 miles away); Gustaf Unonius, New Upsala, and the Scandinavian Parish (approx. 4.6 miles away); Lapham Peak (approx. 4.7 miles away); a different marker also named Lapham Peak (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pewaukee.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Moor Mud Baths Hotel (was approx. 4½ miles away but has been permanently removed).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. All relate to TMER&L (The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co.)

Photographed by Paul F, September 29, 2010

2. Waukesha Beach Amusement Park Marker

Photographed by Paul F, September 29, 2010

3. Waukesha Beach Amusement Park Marker

Land to the left is the northwest direction mentioned in the marker.

Dedication of the Waukesha Beach Amusement Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Linda Hansen, 2009

4. Dedication of the Waukesha Beach Amusement Park Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 6,004 times since then and 221 times this year. Last updated on January 29, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 30, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on May 27, 2011, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.