By 1899 the trolley company had built the Rustic Theater at Maple Bay, hosting vaudeville acts and special events such as "The Wedding of the Century," attended by thousands.
The Iron Pier resort, a large amusement complex, was the gateway to the west shore resorts. It was located near the current site of the Carousel Center Mall. The resort's 600-ft pavilion offered steamboat service to other resorts on the lake for a fare of 25 cents.