The Green family had formerly owned a traveling carnival, then small amusement parks in Wilmington, Delaware, Penns Grove, New Jersey, and Charlestown, Maryland.

The Green family created a summer-only, private rental resort on the Elk River and named it "White Crystal Beach".

The Green family built bathhouses, a dance hall, beer garden, bowling alley, and even a tattoo parlor.

Children's amusement park rides and an antique merry-go-round were brought from the traveling carnival, and a few dozen simple wooden cottages were built as rental units.

Eventually they were joined by their grandchildren, William, Dorcas, and Alfred Crump, along with "Gene", "Dickie", "Betty", and "Margie" Green, who all worked in various aspects of the family business.