Sandy Beach Amusement Park: Remembering the "Atlantic City of the Midwest"

​Long before Cedar Point and Kings Island dominated the amusement landscape in Ohio, Indian Lake was home to one of the most beloved summer destinations in the Midwest. Sandy Beach Amusement Park, which opened its gates on May 29, 1924, quickly became known as “Ohio’s Million Dollar Playground” and the “Atlantic City of the Midwest.”

​Located along the waterfront in Russells Point, the park offered thrill-seekers and families a 2,000-foot-long roller coaster, a variety of rides, and a bustling boardwalk filled with games, shops, and lights. At the heart of its popularity was the iconic Minnewawa Dance Hall, where thousands gathered to dance the night away to the sounds of the biggest names in the Big Band era. It was a place where memories were made, music echoed across the lake, and summers felt endless.

Sandy Beach wasn't just an amusement park—it was a cultural hub that drew visitors from across the state and beyond. Its popularity peaked in the 1940s and 1950s, but by the 1960s, changing social dynamics, riots, and growing competition from larger parks began to erode its success. The park officially closed in the early 1970s, marking the end of an era for Indian Lake.

Today, the only visible reminder of Sandy Beach Amusement Park’s golden days is the steel arch bridge that still spans the harbor in Russells Point. Though the rides and music have faded into history, the memories live on in the stories of those who danced at Minnewawa and screamed down the roller coaster tracks.

The historical marker, located in the dock area between Rite Aid and Taco Bell on Main Street, ensures that this cherished piece of Logan County history is never forgotten.