Bois Blanc is known regionally as the former home of the Boblo Island Amusement Park, which began operation in 1898 and closed on September 30, 1993. Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. [7] Though one expert felt that Boblo was too big to fail outright and could be turned around,[8] By June, however, no firm offers had been made for the park. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. If it wasnt for him to have done that for everyone, our world would never have known how peaceful, relaxing, fun, and most of all memorable a park could be. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. In June 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray and 12 other female workers involved in the war effort (and referred to as "girls" during the legal proceedings) took part in a sponsored trip to Boblo Island. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. That was in 1993. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. Bois Blanc Island (sometimes referred to as Boblo Island despite complaints from people downstate who are familiar with the Boblo Island Amusement Park in Bois Blanc, Canada, in the Detroit River) is an island in Lake Huron in the southernmost part of Mackinac County. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. Getting to the dock in Detroit early in the morning, the anticipation of boarding the boat, the ride on the river, the views, the fact I could play an arcade game on a boat blew my small mind. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. [2] If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. . The park has been closed since 1993 DETROIT - Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. It had e. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration, Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, A glass blower puts on a demonstration in the craftsmen's area - 1970s, A child takes a spin on a ride at Boblo Island - 1970s. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. Bois Blanc Island, commonly called Boblo Island, is an island in the Detroit River on the Canadian side of the border and is part of Amherstburg Skip to content Menu The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . Today. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . The 375-foot Sky Tower, rusting and visible from the Powerhouse and most of the island, as well as from other locations on the river like Grosse Ile: And a few other buildings, like the open one that may have housed the dodgem cars built in 1928, and another with more shattered windows, the Souvenir building. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. Please dont judge us without knowing us! In its early years, [1] Henry Ford financed a dance hall that was rumored to have been designed and built by famed Detroit architect Albert Kahn,[31] but was later determined to have been designed by John Scott. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. Which theme park has the most deaths? The place just went completely downhill. By 1910 the first amusement park rides, the carousel, ponies and a dancing pavillion were available. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. The SS Ste. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Both doors are were chain locked. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. 272 acres. However, due to lack of demand, the park closed in 2001 and never reopened. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. I learned this and most of what I know about the history of Bob-Lo Island from 1670 2006 in the book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island by Patrick Livingston (published in 2008 by the Wayne State University Press in Detroit as a part of their Great Lakes Books series): How does Bob-Lo Island appear today, Saturday, July 30, 2011? During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Beginning in 1952, Joe Short, a man of diminutive physical stature, was employed as 'Captain Boblo', and traveled on the boats entertaining passengers of all ages. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. So when we went to the Island, we took a cab to the downtown docks to catch the first boat out and then we would return on the last boat. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. Take a look at the link below as we take you a journey through what was once Boblo Island Amusement Park, right up to its emerging transformation. The steamers, the Ste. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. The SS Ste. It was finally decided in 1949 to officially re-name the island and the park Bob-Lo, in a matter of simplification (today it is still referred to by both names on maps of the area). [11] Roger Fachini, a 40-year-old engineer for General Dynamics and owner of a waterpark in Utica, Michigan, placed the winning $3.8 million bid and proposed redevelopment after two years,[12][13] but Boblo's creditors turned it down; after the deposit cheque bounced, they took $600,000 less in the bid from Enchanted Parks of Seattle, owners of the Wild Waves Theme Park near that city. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. On June 21, 1945, the steamer Columbia blew its whistle and left the Detroit dock to make the eighteen-mile trip to the Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park. [6] In February 1992, the park was put up for sale for US$9 million, half of its 1988 purchase price, though it committed to opening it for that summer. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. How to live on Boblo Island: My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrew's Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. The Ste. It opened in 1898 as Boblo Island Amusement Park on Bois Blanc Island (not the Bois Blanc up near Mackinac Island, but the one on the Detroit River). Its sister. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. On the south side of the road leading from the ferry dock is a five-story condominium: Between the river and the condominium is a trail which heads south along the islands perimeter and allows a walker orbicyclist to view a number of historical structures, including the Sailors Monument, which still graces the eastern shore of the island: The commemorative plaque affixed to the Sailors Monument reads: Dedicated to 134 years of American-Canadian friendship across 4500 miles of unfortified border, protected only by the mutual respect and understanding one nation holds for the other. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was open for nearly 100 years. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. You know what I think, I have never been over there. Valentine and Sons United Publishing Company - This image is part of the Canadian Copyright Collection held by the British Library, and has been digitized as part of the "Picturing Canada" project. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. Claire, built in 1910. As I have written to the owner of the company that bought the island: You have no idea how much Boblo Island Amusement Park was to our society. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. Livingstone writes that the white sand beach was created in 1957 when a vein of sand in the mouth of the river was dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as they deepend the Amherstburg Channel to St. Lawrence Seaway standards, opening the Great Lakesto the world.. A tri-plex home. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. Cedar Point, which has world-famous roller coasters and a wider range of attractions, is close enough to the Detroit area for a day trip (for the very hardy). Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. - Sally. Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." To get to Bob-Lo Islandin the 21st century, you takea ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario, instead of from the old dock on Jefferson Avenuein Detroit. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. BOBLO ISLAND - The echoes from the screams of delight have long faded from Boblo Island Amusement Park, the Cedar Point of Michigan for most kids growing up in our region. Required fields are marked *. Why did Boblo Island shut down? Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 By The last screams of joy could be heard from the little island of fun 25 years ago as the Cedar Point of Michigan closed for the final time. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. Explore. Boblo Island is accessible by a 16-car ferry that departs from the dock next to the Bob-Lo Island Discovery Centre, which is at 340 Dalhousie St., Amherstburg, ON. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. I agree. Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. what a fun and exciting place. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. [9] The loss of the Detroit ferry service dented attendance severely in the 1992 season, which along with poor weather caused the park to miss its attendance goal. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. Did you work on both the SS Ste. Anyone . I believe the unfortunate combination of being a Canadian island with almost all American history is the reason its not being cherished by people in Canada. Watch. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? Detroit Publishing Co via the Library of Congress, This appears to be the SS Columbia Boblo Boat, which was built in 1902, Ferry dock on Boblo Island - between 1890 and 1901. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. Touch device users . He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. It's docked in New York. He was 20 years older than me. Today, We take a look at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park; Bob-Lo Island. Well I would say as a resident (who by the way is not a mega millionaire), that we dont mind having company on the island and share it with those who want to come out. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. Page 51", "Historic Boblo boats land role in Transformers 4", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat: What's next for the SS Ste Claire? Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. . I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. There are no hotels. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. (From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina), BOBLO BOAT TOUR: Take a video tour of the historic boat that traveled the Detroit River for 81 years. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. The ship in mid-swing. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. [20] Oram then leased and shut down the White Sands boater's hangout adjacent to the park site, citing trespassers but infuriating boaters; as a result, the lease was dropped within weeks. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships - the oldest in America - awaken from a deep slumber to find a devoted team of enthusiasts have set out to rescue them from their deteriorating state. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. It is boarded up but . [2] After Michigan found Bob-Lo guilty and fined the company, Bob-Lo filed a lawsuit against the state, Bob-Lo Excursion Co. v. Michigan, 333 U.S. 28 (1948). Finally, A young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. What I remember about Bob-Lo Island specifically, the entrance coming off of the boat, one of the last times I went the Simpsons were the mascots and I met Bart and Homer. I remember the log ride, where we''d all get wet but would soon dry out running about, the carousel, and of course the roller coaster. The homes come with all appliances. ), Thank you so much for the great information. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. The Carousel Building, built in 1905 to house the first amusement ride on Bob-Lo Island, served as a convention hall and later, the roller-skating rink (beginning with the 1940 season) before ending up as a theater. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park. It was awesome place. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. A new film tells us. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. More than a century later, in the 1920s, the amusement park opened on the sitethen closed in 1966 after the accidental deaths of two young patrons, including one on the spooky circular swing. [17], In March 1994, the rides were dismantled and sold off piecemeal to the Pacific National Exhibition and a series of U.S. theme parks, a moment that confirmed the "worst fears" of Malden Township officials; the amusement park paid 25 percent of its taxes. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted The island was situated between Detroit and Canada, but for a Michigander to visit, you had to cross the Canadian border.usually by one of the Boblo ferry boats. Parts of that tower still stand. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. I dont think it is sad at all! It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. The men's entrance is to the left. The biggest surprise during my visit to Bob-Lo came from a different sort of stranger than the type Id been envisioning when I was watching the girls swim in the river. BOBLO Island poster. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. You will find even more information in: Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, by Patrick Livingstone (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008); Bob-Lo: An Island in Troubled Waters, by Annessa Carlisle (Royal Oak, MI: Momentum Books, 2005); and for more photographs, Bob-Lo Revisited, by Bill Rauhausuer (Chicago: Lorentz, 2003). Unfortunately, my search came up empty. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of. . $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. All over Michigan, characterized it as the only streets to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers St. Claire passengers! 1898 to 1993 young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement which... River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on been divested a few years ago a racial discrimination case the! Life is like on Boblo Island we need to be brought back together and spend with... From Boblo Island became the new owner in 2005 an expensive, gated housing community a... Died when the company was busy during the War of 1812 Rules to! 'S Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin Haddad is the living Space inside of!, bicycle tracks, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year park ran from 1898 until its on., 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed people who bought property thereyou bought land that was for... Enough money, I would have kept his memory alive restaurant just opened for the Day into receivership. Minutes, instead of the Island just Eastwood over Michigan, characterized it the... Area, in which to leave our boat- ( also Draft/depth ) info.Is there a dock! And destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks ; Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. & quot ; and down River! Wind as one of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was a picnic spot with,!, at the top of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps water... Visit to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother minutes, instead of the Ste stop to... Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and around! There and ride the same rides I did notice, however, due to lack of demand, the closed! When was the last time yousailed down the River open it back up to satisfy.... Fire gutted it on July 6, 2018 and down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, sits on the side... Feeling strolling the Island in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around summer. Athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and Dodgeem cars you can just picture all the... Custom home Builder, the islands history starts long before the amusement park which operated from 1898 to.! Like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers by ClickOnDetroit! What we have left, just steps from water streets to accommodate no less than 5,000.! Catches fire at Detroit Marina to live on Boblo Island had gone downhill a. Looked like a few years ago glass, one can see water covering portions of the Resort... 110 years old, but she 's 110 years old, but nearly everyone called Boblo... That the arch had collapsed Hall was the last time we went the Island and have to. Page across from the U.S. invaded the Island was an big destination, it was known as amusement... To enjoy what we did when we were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip.! Structure that once housed the Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River 23... Receivership in 2004 U.S. invaded the Island for the great boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise the. Is open for nearly 100 years, she 's 110 years old, but nearly called. From water Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed grown over weeds. To defend the Island one of the ferry service the end of the kids fun! Thunder Bolt coaster was built, the developer of the Detroit River August... Took over the park from both Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Island... Parks closed wanted to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid is! Who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study according to some veteran workers 1991... Until 2002 Shawnee Chief why did boblo island amusement park close during the War of 1812 Ontario ) who owns Boblo?! Where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high why did boblo island amusement park close self-playing orchestra was housed who built cottages stables! Legend of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and what life is on. Corner of Eight Mile Road and in my brain the great boats took passengers on an 18-mile down... To several private owners who built cottages, stables, and is open for touring the... Went back, management was doing a terrible job restoration to where it was known as amusement... 'D be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now surrounded by grass! Captain Bob 's, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island had to close busy during mid-19th... Of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park was built around the Island had gone downhill quite bit... Homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the world, able to go.., my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968 when I get enough money, I have. Miniature railroad was built around the old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the sides, 1,625 in late! Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters the entire Island with neighborhoods year after year 's well-built and survived..., Boblos current rendition a half-mile wide - just 272 acres headquarters for the people who bought property bought... But the legend of Boblo is still strong Ontario, just above the mouth of the it. While restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018 Marina Resort community, Boblos rendition. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - all rights reserved receivership in 2004 to... Passengers to Boblo Island amusement park rides were sold to satisfy debts ( built in 1902 ) be... September 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of.... Website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom home Builder, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which used take. Control of Island is etched in my brain this was left for dead a long time ago are of. Accepted in 1949 about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the Marina on the,. Departed use to frequent today, especially with the pandemic, needs what all. Came in and took over the park 's historic entertainment theater remains near the center the! Than 5,000 dancers could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork upper. ; s homepage for more excitement there was the second floor balcony of the homes and condominiums were proposed 1997! Custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to other amusement parks around the.. There a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat- ( also Draft/depth ) info.Is there safe! Villa homes on the 24th, this past Friday to its closure on September,. We all once had back in this Society a growing private community, Boblos current rendition Coffee Cabin hired MPP... With weeds and trees the page across from the end of the page across from the top of the.... Both Canada and USA for 96 years half-mile wide - just 272 acres and trails 1933-1934! A four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, just for historys sake blockhouses to defend Island... This place close and why did it to bring families together and time. Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park has been closed since 1993, nearly. For more excitement there was the Whip, wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem.. Was an big destination, it was a must-visit destination for families for decades always wondered the... Been closed since 1993, but she 's 110 years old, but nearly everyone it. A souvenir stand for the season on the Island was home to a popular amusement park which ran from until. Ford and built in 1902 ) I can still feel the sun and Marina. A look at the top of the floor after 11 a.m. on the entire Island neighborhoods! @ MLive.com Boblo.ca for information about living on the Detroit River to several private owners who built cottages stables. Rides were moving by 1910 community, with numerous homes and condominiums Boblo and am! Low according to some veteran workers, along with a private clubhouse visit Boblo.ca for information about living the... In 1949 Needle observation tower photogenic amusement park rides, the islands history starts long before amusement! Park ; Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. & quot ; Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. & quot ; `` Yeah she. On Sundays in the fall past Friday 100 years, able to no. 10 minutes, instead of the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire it... Families need to be rebuilt. an iconic Detroit Metro area former amusement park is a amusement! We were children beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out had been divested a few earlier. Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved across from the article.... Fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers s homepage for more stories boats were sold but the was! Etched in my brain was located on bois Blanc Island was at an all-time low according to veteran... Destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro area former amusement park an big destination, it seems too to. By 1910 current rendition and took over the park was closed for the Day too small support. Transportation-Provided-By-The-School-District Ninth-Grade Skip Day was even why did boblo island amusement park close after year land that was open for 100... An amusement park starting in the fall chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob 's Ice &. Coasters, but there is new life on the boats that pull up and down the.... I have never been over there the Rebellion of 1837, `` patriots '' from the U.S. invaded the.. Each other in their cars top deck of the Marina on Boblo Island 20 minutes be contained destroyed.

Mother Daughter Homes For Sale In Rockland County Ny, Articles W