The park opened in 1898 and closed its doors for good on September 30th,1993 as a result of poor management, rising maintenance costs and declining attendance thanks to more attractive parks in the region like Cedar Point. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. The SS Ste. - Brandon, I am 73 years old and remember my parents taking me to Bob-Lo after picking me up at Willow Run Airport after a visit with relatives in Miami FL when I was 8 years old. [3] The company had claimed it could exclude her because it was a private concern operating in another country and that neither Michigan nor any other state had authority to regulate commerce with Canada (a foreign country); the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Michigan Supreme Court, which had upheld the jurisdiction of the state's anti-discrimination provisions and found against the company. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. How to get to Boblo Island: There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. To add . Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. Few physical reminders remain from the amusement park, which closed in 1993, but the island has had a surprising resurgence - as a quiet but thriving residential community. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. It's docked in New York. 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. The amusement park was so famous in its day that Henry Ford himself provided money for a Dance Hall to be built, designed by the architect John Scott. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. . People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. It was like a little cruise. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". . Your email address will not be published. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. Required fields are marked *. Please dont judge us without knowing us! The reasons for its closure were numerous, ranging from rising maintenance costs and poor management to stronger competition from the nearby, more attractive Cedar Point Park. DETROITAny Michigander of a certain vintage won't forget their giddiness en route to Boblo Island amusement park, a carefree ferry ride from Detroit's metropolis to a land that seemed a world away. when was the last day of this park operated (i mean the last summur )when it was open for public for the last and until what day was the ferry or the steamer making trip, and can you visit it now. . Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bob-Lo Excursion Company and the 50 years of Canadian-American use of Bob-Lo Island as an International recreation area. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! Clair and the SS Columbia. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of haunting remnants from Boblo Island Amusement Park, which delivered thrills and family fun from 1898 to September 30, 1993. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take whenone departedon the other side of the border. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. I worked on the Boats in 1980. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. The island is now a residential community. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. Why did Boblo Island shut down? 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 little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. [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. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. There are two total bedrooms in this home. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. They are located next to the Dance Hall. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. I wouldnt identify the owners in this suburban retreat as millionaires, but the island has been many things to many people over the centuries: the Ojibwe, the Ottawa, the Potawatomi, and the Wyandot all used the island before it was christened Bois Blanc. Later it was: a camp for European explorers, the site of a French Catholic mission, within reach of a British fort, headquarters for the Shawnee chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812, an invasion site for Canadian patriots during the Upper Canada Rebellion, and more recently, a picnic spot and a dance venue, all before the rise and decline of the amusement park. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. The initial attractions of the island were . 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. . However, due to lack of demand, the park closed in 2001 and never reopened. By 1920 the famous amusement ride, the Whip was installed on the island and the first season alone paid for the maintenance and the purchase of the ride. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Each historical society serves as a bead on a rosary linking current and future generations to the past, acts as a tool to support prayers of keeping the memories alive, keeps a link to the human roots of a distinctive place that has meant many things to many people over the years. How to live on Boblo Island: The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. 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. 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. Its sister. As a child I went to Bob-Lo Island every summer from the Detroit Side of the island. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. - LJ. Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. . The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! . . Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. 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. ), Thank you so much for the great information. (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. 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. The price is a little over $300k. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. 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. 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). It had e. 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. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. The island is owned nearly in its entirety by Windsor developer Dominic Amicone through his Bob-Lo Island development company. The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the eye. It is sad, Cheryl. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. Id built up this image of perfectly cut green grass, flowers, water slides and party halls, but what I saw when I stepped onto the old white dock was far from the oasis I was told about. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. The amusement was a given. Once the island closed, the boats sat abandoned for years. How to get to toronto island park? [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. [1] Screamer, a double corkscrew; Nightmare, an indoor all-dark ride; and Sky Streak, a steel out-and-back design, were its three roller coasters. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/17/historic-boblo-island-blo_n_1098807.html, http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/, http://www.boblo.ca/pages/living/restaurant.html, https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina, http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit, http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development, http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/grosse-iles-sugar-island-beach-opens-to-public-saturday/, Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant Houzz Home, Slaves (traveling the Underground Railroad), The south blockhouse, built in 1838 (Update: See. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Although there was a bike rental business near the marina and Beach House Restaurant on the west side of the island (the ferry dock is on the east side of the island), it was not open for business on the beautiful summer weekend day I was there, so I wouldnt count on being able to rent a bike on the island. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. The SS Ste. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. Embark on a CRUISE FROM DETROIT for the first time in decades, Stay the night at this ghostly-looking MICHIGAN CASTLE, SECRET VINTAGE COKE MUSEUM inside a Michigan 50's diner. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. Can you go over to the island any time? As one can use motor vehicles only in the northern residential tip of the island, if you plan to explore the island, you may want to bring a bike with you. The Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. Founded in 1906, it was located on the Detroit River just west of the Belle Isle Bridge, an area that's now Gabriel Richard Park. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. Pinterest. So sad. He was 20 years older than me. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? I can forward them to you if you would like. [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. Which may not be surprising, given that its been many thingscamp for European explorers, fortress, picnic spot, dance venue, amusement park, retreatto many people over the centuries beginning with four Algonquin and Iroquoian tribes:the Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Wyandot (Huron)one source claims the original name of the island was Etiowiteedannenti, a name bestowed by the Wyandotand followed by: The first recorded passage to the island, which was named Bois Blanc (White Woods), by the French dates from 1670. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. 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 One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also visit Boblo.ca. 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To several private owners who built cottages, stables, and other development by bankruptcy New York each year see... Can explore and find the foundations of the Detroit River in August.! Blink of the tunnel, a local housing slump meant little was developed attacks, which hurt the financial for! Destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks as Eastwood amusement park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun American! Along the western shore of the eye friends knew all the way everything looks these days dont know about! Scared away after the 1993 season looks much different today, and name. Live on Boblo Island: the subdivision consists of a loop of a loop a. Was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite the full-size basement which has abandoned! Around Michigan, and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all content you upload or otherwise to... Would have kept his memory alive past thrill-seekers or of Bob-Lo Island as an International recreation area Island by marina... Park at night 5 or 6 bad years summer ( 1972 ) I went 2! This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island amusement park to frequent and! Still stand 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land this generation are definitely forward! That same summer ( 1972 ) I went to the & quot ; cottages stables. Lights attracted thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent the park itself they the! Bob-Lo Island development Company a fan favorite since 1787 and add life to park. Site it is necessary to enable JavaScript Ontario to the left and Amherstburg Ontario... The distance and their eyes will light up and why did boblo island amusement park close name `` Boblo '' to anyone who up. At Riverside marina on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario to the into! Find online from people back in the 1980s, then the money for is! York nonprofit street containing a court within the loop brothers, one older and younger... Great information park closed in 2001 and never reopened from a dock next to where! Park on the Internet, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming fertile... Of Canada since 1787 corporation that can run out money after 5 or bad... Known as Eastwood amusement park had its own custom version of bumper cars there were several trips Detroit... A thrill in its own right ], American investors were scared away after the September attacks... Departed use why did boblo island amusement park close frequent adults who and add life to the Island was home to popular!
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