Ogden Dunes

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The Great Ski Jump:

K-Point:	60 m
Tower height:	68.5 m
Inrun length:	105.2 m

Further jumps:	no
Plastic matting:	no
Year of construction:	1927
Year of destruction:	1935
Status:	destroyed
Ski club:	Ogden Dunes Ski Club
Coordinates:	41.621935, -87.192261 ✔

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History:

In 1927, members of the Grand Beach Ski Club (later known as the Ogden Dunes Ski Club) decided to build a modern ski jump on one of the highest dunes in northwestern Indiana. The result was an impressive structure: a steel-and-wood tower approximately 192–225 feet (59–69 meters) tall, with an inrun of 345 feet (105 meters), allowing speeds of up to 60 mph (around 97 km/h). The entire project cost $40,000.
The facility was completed and opened in January 1928. At the time, it was considered the largest artificial ski jump in America—possibly even in the world.
The first competition took place on January 22, 1928, attracting thousands of spectators. The site quickly became a venue for international events, drawing top athletes from the USA and Norway. During its heyday, the hill hosted ski jumpers such as Anders Haugen—the first American Olympic medalist in ski jumping (bronze, Chamonix 1924, awarded retroactively in 1974), regarded as a pioneer of the sport in the U.S.; Henry Hall—four-time U.S. champion (1914–1921), world record holder for distance (1921, 218 feet / 66 meters), known for his technical style and for promoting skiing in the Midwest; Casper Oimoen—1932 Lake Placid Olympian, originally from Norway but representing the USA, known for his dynamic technique and multiple national titles; and the Ruud brothers—Birger, Sigmund, and Asbjørn—who held Olympic (Birger) and World Championship titles (all three).
In 1932, during a visit by the Norwegian national team, the hill record was set at 195 feet (59 meters). It was achieved by one of the Norwegian jumpers—Birger Ruud, Kaare Wahlberg, or Hans Beck—though available sources do not document which one exactly.
Due to financial difficulties and waning public interest, competitions ceased after the 1932 season. In 1935, the entire structure was sold and transported to Rockford, Illinois, where it served the local ski club. In 1955, the tower was moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where it operated for over a decade as the Hendrickson Hill ski jump. Then, in 1968–1969, it was once again dismantled and relocated within Eau Claire, becoming the main structure of the newly established Silver Mine Hill ski jump.
In 1997, a historical marker was installed near the original location of the jump (in the Kratz Park area of Ogden Dunes), commemorating its existence. The plaque is located at 82 Hillcrest Road and remains the only physical trace of Indiana’s greatest ski jump.

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Ogden Dunes

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