Rose Island

Rose Island is a former leisure complex on a peninsula between Fourteen Mile Creek and the Ohio River in southern Indiana. Today, remnants of the pool area, footbridge foundations, and pathways lie scattered among trees and undergrowth that visitors can explore on foot.

The complex opened in 1923 as a day-trip destination and drew visitors from the region for dancing, sports, and entertainment. In 1937 a flood inundated the entire site, after which operations ceased permanently and nature began reclaiming the grounds.

The name comes from Rose Hamilton, an early resident who lived here in the late 19th century. The site served as a weekend escape for families from Louisville and nearby towns, who arrived by ferry across the Ohio River to spend summer days by the water.

Access is via Trail 3 in Charlestown State Park, roughly a twenty-minute walk from the parking area. The path passes through forest and occasionally uneven terrain, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

The concrete pool structure survived decades of abandonment even though the 1937 flood destroyed everything around it. The walls still show the original construction, while trees now grow through cracks in the floor.

Location: Indiana

GPS coordinates: 38.43000,-85.61720

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30