Waukesha Beach Amusement Park occupied 67 acres north and west of the site and officially opened on June 25, 1895, with a swimming beach on Pewaukee Lake. It included the Palm Gardens ballroom, a hotel, three roller coasters, a fun house, and many other amusement rides. Entertainers such as Ted Mack, the Andrews Sisters, and Heine and His Grenadiers appeared there. In 1897, a baseball diamond was added, where a Milwaukee team managed by Connie Mack played an exhibition game. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, tens of thousands traveled from Milwaukee and Waukesha on the interurban TMER&L train to visit the park, and much of that route now serves as the Waukesha County bike and hiking trail. By the late 1930s, financial problems and increased auto ownership had led to the final abandonment of park operations on July 21, 1941. The interurban ceased operations on July 2, 1951. After World War II, Waukesha Beach became less of an attraction, and 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.