Indiana Beach is an amusement park located on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana. The resort was developed by the Spackman family, who owned it from 1926 to 2008. The park was then sold to Morgan RV LLC, Apex Parks Group, LLC, and now is owned and operated by IB Parks & Entertainment.
| Previously known as Ideal Beach; Indiana Beach Amusement Resort | |
 | |
| Location | 5224 East Indiana Beach Blvd, Monticello, Indiana, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°47′N 86°46′W / 40.79°N 86.77°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Owner | IB Parks & Entertainment |
| Slogan | "There's more than corn in Indiana!" (previously: "Where Families Flock For Fun" & "The riviera of the midwest!") |
| Operating season | May through October |
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 43 |
| Roller coasters | 7 |
| Water rides | 4 |
| Website | www |
History
editOriginally named Ideal Beach, the amusement park began as a small lakeside beach with a bath house and refreshment stand opened by Earl W. Spackman.[1] In 1927, the first thrill attraction opened, and from that point, it began to expand.[2] In the 1930s and 1940s, it was popular for the Ideal Beach Ballroom, featuring well-known bands.[3] In 1961, Indiana Beach added a paddle wheeler boat called the Shafer Queen, which operated for 11 years before being replaced by another paddle wheeler with the same name.[4]
In February 2008, both the amusement park and Indiana Beach campgrounds were sold to Morgan RV LLC.[5] On September 1, 2015, the park was sold to Apex Parks Group.[6][7]
On February 18, 2020, Indiana Beach suddenly announced that it would permanently close after 94 years of operation, with no plans to reopen. Apex Parks Group cited financial difficulties for the closure and said they had "worked diligently" to find a new buyer for the park but had not been successful.[8][9] In addition to dozens of seasonal workers, Indiana Beach employed 27 people in administrative and maintenance positions. Those workers were offered six weeks compensation.[9]
In March 2020, Apex Parks Group said that it was in discussions with potential buyers of the park, and that it was possible that the park would be able to reopen that year. Because Indiana Beach generates a large part of the county's tourism revenue, White County officials agreed to offer $3 million from the White County Windfarm Economic Development Fund to the buyer after the sale was complete.[10]
In April 2020, Indiana Beach announced that the park would be reopening that year. The park has been purchased by Chicago businessman Gene Staples, subject to approval of a $3 million loan from White County.[11] The park reopened on June 27, 2020.[12]
Rides
edit
Roller coasters
edit| Name | Year Opened | Type | Manufacturer/Model | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornball Express | 2001 | Wooden roller coaster | Custom Coasters International | Shares the same support as Hoosier Hurricane |
| Hoosier Hurricane | 1994 | Wooden roller coaster | Custom Coasters International | Shares the same support as Cornball Express |
| Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain | 2002 | Elevator lift wooden coaster | Custom Coasters International | Built at the site of the former Superstition Mountain Mine Ride |
| Steel Hawg | 2008 | El Loco | S&S - Sansei Technologies | A unique coaster with a beyond vertical drop that was once the world's steepest coaster |
| Tig'rr Coaster | 1984 | Steel, Jet Star | Schwarzkopf | Oldest operating roller coaster at Indiana Beach and formerly operated at Holiday Beach in Douglas, Georgia[13] |
| All American Triple Loop | 2024 | Steel, Triple Loop Coaster | Schwarzkopf | Formerly operated at the German fair circuit; Sunway Lagoon in Subang Jaya, Malaysia; Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire, England; and La Feria Chapultepec Magico in Mexico City, Mexico. |
| Cyclone[14] | 2022 | Galaxi | Robles Bouso Atracciones | Located at the site of the park's original Galaxi Roller Coaster and formerly operated with Garcia Attractions' traveling carnival in Mexico. |
Water park attractions and rides
edit| Name | Year Opened | Type | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action river | 1989 | Lazy River | |
| Big Flush Water Coaster | 1998 | Water Coaster | |
| Sandy Beach swimming area | 1926 | Swimming area with a recirculating pool | |
| Splash bash water spray pad | 1989 | Splash Pad | |
| 5 tube slides | 1989 | 3 enclosed slides, 2 open slides | Repainted for the 2016 season |
Major rides
edit| Name | Year Opened | Type | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Crow | 2004 | Larson International Flying Scooters | |
| Antique Autos | 1960s | Antique car ride | |
| Den of Lost Thieves | 1998 | Sally Corporation Shooting dark ride | |
| Dodgem | 1960s | Bumper cars | |
| Double Shot | 1998 | S&S Power Double Shot tower ride | |
| Falling Star | 1990 | Chance Rides Falling Star | Opened on the boardwalk, near the South Gate. In 2011, it was taken down and moved to the storage lot behind Steel Hawg. For the 2013/2014 season, it was relocated yet again next to the Hoosier Hurricane station. |
| Flying Bobs | 2020 | Allan Herschell Company Alpine Bobs | Not to be confused with another Flying Bobs attraction that had previously operated at the park. Formerly located at Coney Island from 1994 to 2019. |
| Giant Gondola Wheel | 1989 | Chance Rides Ferris wheel[2] | |
| King Chaos | TBD | HUSS Park Attractions Top Spin | Originally operated at Six Flags Great America from 2004 to 2017. It sat in storage for years before being moved to Indiana Beach property in February 2024. The attraction is currently in storage with no known timeline to install it. |
| Music Express | 2011 | Mack Rides Music Express | |
| Nao de China | TBD | Weber Traumboot | Formerly located at La Feria de Chapultepec until its closure in 2019. |
| Paratrooper | 1970s | Frank Hrubetz Paratrooper | |
| Rockin' Tug | 2014 | Zamperla Tugboat Spining Ride | |
| Rocky's Rapids | 1986 | Arrow Dynamics Log flume | Relocated from the former Pontchartrain Beach, which closed in 1983. |
| Scrambler | 1960s | Eli Bridge Company Scrambler | |
| Sea Dragon | Chance Rides Pirate ship | ||
| Sea Warrior | 2021 | Klaus (SDC) Polyp | Relocated from Lake Winnepesaukah in 2020, had previously been located at Kiddieland Park from 1967 up until its closure. |
| Shafer Queen | 1961 | Paddle Wheel Riverboat | The original boat was retired for other usage in 1972 and a newer set was known to have been bought for the 1973 season. |
| Skyride | 1960s | Chairlift | |
| Spackman Express | Chance Rides C. P. Huntington Miniature Train Ride | Runs along much of the park's length. | |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl | ||
| Water Swings | 1992 | Chance Rides Yo-Yo |
Attractions
edit- Cap'n Crow's Bumper Boats
- Dr. Frankenstein's Haunted Castle – A walk-through attraction
- SkyCoaster
Kiddieland
edit- Beach Buggies
- Boogie Boats
- Crazy Carp
- First Flight
- Leap Frog
- Mini Motors
- Rocky's Roundup
- Wild Wagons
Former rides
edit- Bullet
- Chaos
- Flying Bobs (Chance TM)
- Grand Carousel
- Dragon Wagon (roller coaster) (2014–2018)
- Galaxi (roller coaster) (1971–2013)
- Growler - Spinning Family Ride
- Mystery Mansion
- Pumpkin Ferris Wheel[15]
- Skydiver
- Splash Battle (2006-2015)
- Superstition Mountain Mine Ride
- Trabant
- Twister
- Viper
- Zugspitz
Former attractions
edit- Adventure Point
- Boat Tag
Games
edit- Fascination
- Gallery of Ghouls – Shooting gallery
- Skee Ball
- Video Arcade
Lodging and cabins
editLodging at Indiana Beach includes hotel, motel and cabin accommodations with varying prices, sleeping capacities and amenities.[16] There are also campground facilities named Indiana Beach/Monticello KOA containing approximately 1,000 camp sites.[17][18]
Controversies
editIn 2011, former and current employees staged a protest due to working and safety conditions at the park, claiming that "Rides are continuously closed, or many times forced to be open using rigged components because the company will not or cannot pay for the parts that will allow maintenance to fix them properly."[19][20] An inspector from the state's division of Homeland Security investigated as a result of the protest and found no major safety violations.[21]
It was reported in December 2012 that Morgan RV LLC had sold 11 of its properties to Sun Communities Operating Limited Partnership LLC of Michigan for $135 million.[22] Among the listed properties was Ideal Private Resorts LLC, whose website includes Indiana Beach Amusement Park and Indiana Beach Accommodations as destinations.[23] Calls by news media to Morgan RV LLC requesting comment, including confirmation or denial that all or part of Indiana Beach was included in the sale, went unanswered.[24]
In January 2013, local news affiliates reported Morgan RV LLC was delinquent paying property and innkeeper taxes totaling approximately $347,000 to White County, where Indiana Beach is located.[25][26][27][28][29] The CEO of then-owner Morgan RV, Robert Moser, and Indiana Beach's general manager, Bob Gallagher, stated that the park would open for the 2014 season despite misgivings stated by Monticello residents and business owners.[5]
On June 27, 2019, a twelve-year-old boy died after suffering a medical emergency on a roller coaster at the park; it was determined it was not caused by Indiana Beach or the ride.[30][31]
References
edit- ^ Potempa, Phil (September 24, 2015). "Phil Potempa: Indiana Beach amusement park sold to new owners". nwitimes.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ a b Grady, Danielle (July 4, 2016). "For Indiana Beach, a new beginning". IndyStar.
- ^ "Indiana Beach Amusement Resort: History". Indiana Beach. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
- ^ "The Indiana Beach Shafer Queen paddle-wheeler". waymarking.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ a b Livingston, Mikel (December 29, 2013). "Worries grow about Indiana Beach future". IndyStar.
- ^ "Indiana Beach's new owner overhauling amusement park". IndyStar. AP. March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Indiana Beach". www.screamscape.com. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ AP (February 18, 2020). "Indiana Beach Closes After Nearly a Century". WLFI. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "Indiana Beach to Close after 94 Years". WTHR. AP. February 18, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "Owner: Indiana Beach amusement park could reopen this year". Indianapolis Business Journal. March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ^ Maccabe, Tom (April 23, 2020). "Indiana Beach purchased by Chicago businessman". WRTV. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Nolan, Shannon (26 June 2020). "Indiana Beach reopens to the public on June 27". ABC57. WBND-LD.
- ^ "Jet Star - Holiday Beach (Douglas, Georgia, United States)".
- ^ "Rides – Indiana Beach". 16 February 2021.
- ^ "Children Rides". Morgan RV resorts. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
- ^ "Indiana Beach Amusement Resort: Amusement Park, Hotel, Campground & Waterpark". Indiana Beach. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ Johnson, Michael (May 17, 2019). "Indiana Beach unveils new campground name". Newsbug.
- ^ "Indiana Beach Amusement Resort: Amusement Park, Hotel, Campground & Waterpark". Indiana Beach. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ "Indiana Beach". Screamscape. January 16, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- ^ "Former workers protest Indiana Beach". WLFI. Archived from the original on 2011-10-25. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- ^ Allen, Scott (August 28, 2011). "Inspector: IB rides safe". Herald Journal.
- ^ "Sun Communities Buys 11 Morgan RV Resorts". RV Business. December 18, 2012. Archived from the original on 2016-03-20. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ "Destinations | IPR Main". Ideal Private Resorts. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ "White County: Indiana Beach owes $347,000 in taxes - Post-Tribune". PostTrib SunTimes. January 21, 2013. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ Rodenberger, Gwen (January 14, 2013). "Despite payment, Beach owes $347k". Newsbug. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ "County officials: Indiana Beach owes $347,000". WTHR. January 21, 2013. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ "Morgan RV Resorts Park Faces $347K Tax Bill | Woodall's Campground Management". Woodallscm. January 21, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ Rodenberger, Gwen (March 18, 2013). "Indiana Beach: Innkeepers taxes paid". Newsbug. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ "Indiana Beach all clear on its taxes". WLFI. Archived from the original on 2013-04-12. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ Wilkins, Ron (June 28, 2019). "Lafayette boy dies after medical emergency at Indiana Beach". Journal & Courier. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ Paul, Pritha (August 9, 2019). "'Healthy' 12-year-old dies while riding roller coaster in Indiana Beach, devastated parents sue amusement park". meaww.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
External links
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