Rose Island

Sign at the entrance

This area is found in Charlestown, Indiana and boasts of 118 acres of land. It is situated on 'the devils backbone' which is created by fourteen mile creek emptying into Ohio River. This recreational area is known was known as Fern Grove in the 1980's (the name came from the ferns growing there) and was used as a church camp as well as many going there for picnics and family outings.

The swimming pool now 

A ferry company acquired this area of land and developed it, increasing their ferry business.
  In 1923 David Rose purchased the property and added an amusement park, hotel and swimming pool. It had a wooden rollercoaster,racing derby and ferris wheel. Rose spent $250,000 on his project and renamed the it Rose Island. As well as these attractions, the island also had wolves in a pen, monkey in a pen and a black bear, there was also an ice rink that doubled up to be a dance hall, depending on what was going on.

To access the island, you could use a steamboat, the steamboat departed from Louisville and took between 90-120 minutes. The other option was to use the footbridge, this was just a standard wooden swinging bridge, and you would drive up to where the footbridge was located and then walk across and back later. Some business men/women would use speedboats to get to Rose Island quickly.
  Unfortunately the Great Depression in 1929 hurt business, but that wasn't the main downfall of the Island attractions, a flood that occurred in 1937 forced the business to close. The Island was covered in 10ft of water, and there was far too much damage for it to be repaired in time for the new season, with the footbridge being completely destroyed. As of the late 1980, the pool was in good condition, just covered in ivy. But buildings have gone without a trace, with just a few bricks left behind.

The park became part of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant and when this plant was deactivated it was given to the new Charlestown State Park. There was no land access to the Island, but you could still visibly see the old footbridge from nearby hiking trails, although you could still take a boat down to the Island. The State of Indiana completed a bridge to Rose Island, and in September 2011 the historic Porterville bridge relocated to cross the creek and connect the Island for the very first time.

Visitors can now get access onto the island, and see for themselves the eery setting that has been left behind.