OAHT 1602: Silver Lake Beach & Interurban Stop
This Geocache is part of the Oconomowoc Area Historical Tour:
We have picked Twenty Five locations that we feel highlight the unique Oconomowoc Area history.
To earn a Geocoin, teams must pick up a 2016 Oconomowoc Area Historical Tour Booklet from the Oconomowoc Area Historical Society & Museum or download the booklet at:
http://www.oconomowochistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/The-2016-Oconomowoc-Passport-will-be-posted-on-July-23.docx.pdf
Collect 25 points as detailed in the booklet.
Please remember to record the STAMP in your booklet from this cache in your 2016 Oconomowoc Area Historical Tour Booklet.
Silver Lake Beach & Interurban Stop
It was about 1916 that Bill Jones tore down the old barn on the family farm that had been purchased about 1896 and in its place he erected a large dance hall. It attracted some of the most popular dance bands in the Midwest. Even the famous Danny Kaye exercised his talents here for $10 per week and an extra five dollars if he swept the floor. Jones referred to his establishment as “The Million Dollar Beach” which had the toboggan slide, water wheel, boating, bathing and dancing. Silver Lake Beach was such a popular spot during the 1920’s and 1930’s, you could expect 800 cars to be parked in the fields on any weekend. Jones subdivided the rest of the farm and sold the old hall to Dominick and Sally DeCicco in 1951. They used the old hall and made a popular roller skating rink, which burnt down in 1962. The DeCicco’s spent many years remodeling their property even adding a bowling alley. In 1954, a bath house was built at the lake replacing the one Jones had built many years before. The property went through several ownerships including being purchased by the Olympia Resort in the 1970’s.
The TMER&L – The Interurban made a special station primarily built to serve Billy Jones’ popular resort and nightclub which was located at the Silver Lake Beach. Round trip on the Interurban in 1936 was $1.10. The Silver Lake Beach Station was located about 600 feet north of the Beach House. This stop also served as a stop for the Scouts that would stay at the Indian Mound Reservation.
Permission for placement by: Bryan Spencer - Parks & Forestry Superintendent