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If you listen carefully, you can still hear the echoes of carnival sounds, music from the carousel, the squeals of children whisking down the giant slides into Lake Michigan, the sound of bands playing while couples dance the Charleston—laughter and joy, the sounds of the rich heritage of Silver Beach. | |
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From 1891-1971 Silver Beach Amusement Park brought delight to millions of patrons. Bathing beauties in bloomers and swimming caps, thrill seekers riding the “Chase through the Clouds” rollercoaster, families bringing picnic baskets, couples strolling the boardwalk in the moonlight, and decades of fun enrich the colorful history of Silver Beach. | |
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Logan Drake, a St. Joseph entrepreneur born in 1863, began a boat livery when he was 17 years old and purchased 22 acres of sand dunes from local Indians along the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan. He and his friend Louis Wallace began to develop Silver Beach into a tourist attraction.
They began by building steamers and launches to offer scenic tours. They opened a restaurant, concession stands and a photographic studio. By 1896 an ice cream parlor, souvenir shop and a pavilion were erected. The first Silver Beach pavilion was an open-ended hall that hosted dancing and big band music, as well as many other activities.
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