From its opening in 1891, Silver Beach Amusement Park made St. Joseph a prime destination for tourists. Huge crowds enjoyed attractions that 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, and the Shadowland Ballroom closed soon after. The beach became a public park in 1990, continuing a long tradition of fun by the water.