From its humble beginnings as a place to swim and row a boat, Ideal
Beach eventually became Indiana Beach, a small amusement park where
families could have good old-fashioned fun.
Founded by Earl Spackman in 1926, its popularity was bolstered by the
addition of a dance hall that drew the top bands of the nation during
the Depression and war years of the 1940s. When Earl passed away, his
son Tom continued his legacy, setting Indiana Beach on a course that
would make it one of the most popular vacation resorts and amusement
parks in the entire Midwest, delighting nearly one million visitors
every year.