Silver Beach Amusement Park Saint Joseph, Michigan

Silver Beach Amusement Park Saint Joseph, Michigan

      In 1880, Logan Drake purchased 20 to 22 acres of sand dunes along Lake Michigan in Saint Joseph from Native Americans. On this property, Logan Drake and his partner Louis Wallace opened Silver Beach Amusement Park  in 1891.  They were also partners in a boat construction company  in addition  to the Silver Beach Amusement and Realty Company. The park was located below the bluffs of downtown of Saint Joseph, Michigan.  A Pete Marquette Railroad Station was also built in this area in 1913.

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     Initially, a boardwalk was built in the area.  Local merchants opened up stands to sell novelities.  In the early 1900’s, a bathouse, a roller skating rink and a a dance pavilion were constructed.  Games of chance were added.

     One of the roller coasters was named Chase through the Clouds.  It operated from 1905 to 1923. It was a sit down wooden coaster with a figure of 8 course.  It was designed by John A.Miller.The builder was Frank Ingersoll.  A second Coaster was named the Comet (aka the Velvet Coaster). It was a wooden sit down coaster. It was designed by John A. Miller.  It opened in 1924 and closed in 1971.

Comet Roller Coaster


     From 1910 to 1920, the merry go round, Shadowland Ballroom, Funhouse, Bumper Cars, Ferris Wheel, and the penny arcade were added. Other rides were the Toboggan Slide, Carousel.

Aerial View of Silver Beach Amusement Park

     Over the years, attendance gradually dropped at the park. Finally, after operating many years it closed in 1971.

Roller.Coaster Silver Beach Amusement Park

Board Walk Silver Beach

The Comet Roller Coaster

Timothy’ Restaurant Union Pier Michigan

Timothy’s Restaurant

     On February 14, 2017, chef Timothy Sizer opened his new location for Timothy’s Restaurant at 16409 Red Arrow Highway in Union Pier Michigan.   The restaurant opened in a building that was formerly Mickey’s Sports Bar and Millers Country House.  A coincidence Sizer had worked as a chef at Miller’s Country House.

     Prior to this current location, Timothy’s was located in the Gordon Beach Inn. It was located here from.2000 to 2016.  He purchased the property for the new location in 2016.

     Timothy Sizer was from Saint Joseph, Michigan.  He studied culinary arts at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island.  He began his career in Florida.  His specialty is seafood with an Asian flare

     Holdovers at the new location from Miller’s included a large antique wooden bar and a chandelier.   Holdovers from from the Gordon Beach include a large corner both and a pastoral painting.

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Outdoor Seating

Back Yard

Timothy’s Restaurant

3 Oaks Railway Station built for the Michigan Central

3 Oaks Railway Station Michigan

     There is a historic railroad station located at 1 Oak Street 3 Oaks Michigan. It was built for the Michigan Central Railroad. The firm hired for the project of construction was the Boston Architect Firm of Sheply and Coolidge.

3 Oaks Railway Station Michigan

     The railroad station is a one story brick building.  It featured lead glass windows, triple brick walls and hardwood floors.It is 1,650 square feet.

     The Michigan Central Railroad used the depot until 1959.  It sat empty until 1980.  It was at this time that it was restored. Over the years, the building was used as a home interior design shop, A high end mens boutique, and an antique store.

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3 Oaks Railway Station Michigan

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Illegible Plaque

3 Oaks Railway Station Michigan

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