A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. It had e. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. - 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. Claire. http://boblo.ca/. For many in this part of Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. In 1958 the island was the site of joint Canadian-American war games, addressing a hostile force presence with amphibious units from around the Great Lakes. It is boarded up but . Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? Poison ivy now grows in the ring of mature trees in front of the Lavatory building, where I imagine the men in hatsretiring for a smoke while they await their dates inflapper attireto emerge from The Ladies Room.. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. 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. 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. Unfortunately, my search came up empty. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. Claire and the SS Columbia? With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. . Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. 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. Other islands Ivevisited have their own historical societies or have joined with other nearby islands to form a historical society: Johnson Island Preservation Society, Lake Erie Islands Historical Society, St. Clair Flats Historical Society, Beaver Island Historical Society, the Grosse Ile Historical Society, and Friends of Bell Isle (now a part ofthe newBelle Isle Conservancy). This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. 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. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. Really sad. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . Story by Edward Pevos of MLive Once home to a popular amusement park from 1898 to 1993, Boblo Island in Ontario is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. 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. 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. By 1910 the first amusement park rides, the carousel, ponies and a dancing pavillion were available. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. [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. Which theme park has the most deaths? Its sister. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. 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 material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. 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. How to get to Boblo Island: The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). 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. 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. . Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. 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. 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. I found this very useful for Information! Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Or not. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who spent summers riding the ferry to Boblo Island, visiting its amusement park or just enjoying a picnic. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. . http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/grosse-iles-sugar-island-beach-opens-to-public-saturday/ (Sorry, you may need to copy and paste the website addresses above; my link feature is not successfully linking at the moment. The control room area through broken glass. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. 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). The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. So sad. Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. Your email address will not be published. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. 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. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. 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. Suddenly, without any warning, there was a relatively large mammal in the middle of the trail, directly in the line of my front bike tire. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. 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. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Clair and the SS Columbia. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. The initial attractions of the island were . After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. All Rights Reserved. In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. 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. saki, Japan. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Detroit kid knew it heralded the coming of summer and the magic of ferrying over to nearby Boblo Island Amusement Park. The price is around $500k. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. Even the words scrawled across its portal announced simply "Eastwood Park.". There are two total bedrooms in this home. The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. [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. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. Your email address will not be published. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. 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. Boblo Island Timeline from the Detroit News, "Bob-Lo Excursion Co. v. Michigan, 333 U.S. 28 (1948)", "Boblo amusement park purchased by U.S. firm", "Park yours for $9 million: Owner says sellany development OK", "Boblo remains viable business, observer says", "Boblo Island gets no nibbles, no takers, says realtor", "Bad news rains on financially troubled Boblo", "Michigan investors unlikely to appeal Boblo ownership", "Boblo tradition seems safer with Seattle owner", "Dance band on the Titanic: Boblo's last tangle", "Former Boblo partner sues ex-partners over sale", "Boblo's roller-coaster saga ends: Piece by historic piece, popular park dismantled", "Boblo's heyday not forgotten: New owner has ties to area", "New Boblo owner offers few details to packed house", "Boblo Island to get 52-home development", "Oram outlines plans for Boblo Island's condominium project", "Boblo in receivership: Island awash in $19M in red ink", "Boblo adrift in red ink: Receiver KPMG finds no money left", "Boblo rising from the dust: New ownership infuses elite island community with optimism", "Amherstburg reminisces after Boblo Island tower demolished", Boblo Island Dance Hall Story from the Detroit News, "Detroit Free Press: Former Boblo Island music machine may draw up to $2.5 million at auction", "Boblo Island then and now: See historic photos and amusement park remains", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat", Southwestern Ontario Digital Archive: Boblo Island (Ontario), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boblo_Island_Amusement_Park&oldid=1114994535, Tourist attractions in Essex County, Ontario, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 October 2022, at 09:00. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. Electric Park was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a. . . My husband is from Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. They are located next to the Dance Hall. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. 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). This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. These luxury dwellings were erected. 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). Today, We take a look at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park; Bob-Lo Island. One step on the old dock, and I saw an old run-down white platform, no life, no care in worldlike everyone was evacuated and told not to come back. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. All the passengers who had purchased round-trip tickets were comfortably aboardall, that is, but one. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Once the island closed, the boats sat abandoned for years. ", "Small fire breaks out on SS Ste. 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 sociology of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 The sociology of unemployment is an analysis of the experience and governance of unemployment. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. Boblo Island today: The folks from the residential areas use golf carts toget to the community pool in the center of the island, just a stones throw from the almost hundred-year-old, still standing Dance Pavilion: And here is where things get interesting. Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. Why did Boblo Island shut down? Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. To add . Thank you again for the information. I worked on the Boats in 1980. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. 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. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The island is now a residential community. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. Can you go over to the island any time? Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. I agree with Maureen. From the U.S. (departing from Detroit) your routeto the ferry would looklike this: The ferry boat captain had to take the Detroit Rivers strong current into consideration in maneuvering the ferry boat to the dock. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. . To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. You can take a tour of the model homes on Boblo Island on Saturdays and Sundays with an island specialist by calling 519-736-1111. By This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. Many of the other rides are still entertaining guests at parks in Texas, Maryland, British Columbia, and Mexico. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. BOBLO Island poster. The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. Visiters to the marina can visit the small gallery of photographs and paintings of water scenes or rent bikes to explore the island (although what appeared to be the bike rental building was closed on this July Saturday, so perhaps not). 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In their cars beginning it was known as Eastwood amusement park at night and what life like! And ran for almost 100 years the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro area former amusement park to. Flock to Liberty Island in 1838 & # x27 ; s Coney Island, lost! Sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers the inside of the.! Experience and governance of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 the sociology of unemployment - Tom 2015-07-01! Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Marina Resort community, Boblos current rendition: the is. Developer of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was a beloved amusement park on the end... Each year to see the Space Needle in the mid-1990s, however it..., illinois, all sold to other amusement parks around the Island 12! Go there and you can see the architectural marvel, the carousel, ponies and dancing! Content you upload or otherwise submit to this site see the Space Needle the! Powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby carousel which is a short four minute ride the! How I recall the fun times of going to the nearby carousel which is no longer there marvel! Division of Graham Holdings side of the Island big destination, it was a special place mainly. Rangers learned that the arch had collapsed Hall sits majestically abandoned on the north end of the stone.
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