The price is a little over $300k. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. - 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. 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. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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. The Island is now stripped on most of anything that would resemble an amusement park. Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans owns the deteriorating dock, which once served as a gateway for ferry passengers heading to the former Boblo Island amusement park. This was particularly true during the Great Depression and the World War II era, when finances were tight and the world seemed to exist in a perpetual state of anxiety. Only one blockhouse remains today. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. In 1991, the two Boblo boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, MI., to the island, as well as to and from Amherstburg, Ontario. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. 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. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. All rights reserved (About Us). Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. 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. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. Known as Boblo Amusement Park, it was wildly popular with American tourists throughout much of the 20th century until it closed in 1993. i need a boblo island abandoned amusement park date pic . 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. 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. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. What did you do? [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. - Bonnie, Oh! 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. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. Sue Cicala. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. 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. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Claire, seen in 2016. 10. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. A private community is now being built on the island. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. It was like a little cruise. 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). Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. A tri-plex home. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. One of the oldest structures on the island was vandalized in 1954, with vandals setting fire to the top of the 1837 lighthouse, destroying the upper structure. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. The island has quite an interesting history. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. 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. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. Touch device users . For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. I had the pleasure of delivering a load of stuffed animals to the Park in the early 1990s, was a trip i will never forget, driving my Freightliner truck and a 48 foot trailer onto the wharf to make the trip across the river in the middle of the night over to the island then driving around the the park, having to stop and wait for the park benches to be moved for me to able to get truck and trailer around the turns stopping here and there to off load these stuffed toys into little electric carts for the arcade games before the park opened the next day, Friday of a May 24 weekend. In this respect, today, Bob-Lo Island appears a bead broken off from the strand, adrift in more than just the Detroi River, its historic integrity drowned in the current of a sequence of ill-fated development schemes. 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. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted I agree. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . It had e. [26] KPMG found there was no money left to continue supplying basic services. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. - LJ. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. All the passengers who had purchased round-trip tickets were comfortably aboardall, that is, but one. Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. Neither will my grandchildren. ", "Small fire breaks out on SS Ste. BOBLO Island poster. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. . Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. 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). The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. [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. . Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. The Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. ), Thank you so much for the great information. The SS Ste. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. Explore. My husband is from For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. Claire, built in 1910. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. Thank you again!! [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. To get to Bob-Lo Island in the 21st century, you take a ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario, instead of from the old dock on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. Claire and the SS Columbia? The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. [32] The dance hall was the second largest in the world, holding 5,000 dancers at full capacity[31] and featured one of the world's largest orchestrions from the Welte company: a 16 foot tall, 14 foot wide, self-playing Wotan-model orchestrion with 419 pipes and percussion section. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. We dont save anything for history any more. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. Did you work on both the SS Ste. Anyone . 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. A new film tells us. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. 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. On that visit, the very air between the Wild Mouse and the Whip was fraught with hormones dancing to a Top Ten soundtrack which included Sitting on the Dock of the Bay and Grazing in the Grass.. It was great to see all the vintage photos and stories from the good old days of classic boating when wooden boats were the norm, not the exception. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. You know what I think, I have never been over there. My concern with respect to Bob-Lo Island is that what structures are left from the islands very interesting history are not being adequately protected. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. 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. 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. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Parts of that tower still stand. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. The Browning Family sold the island in 1979, which led to several owners in the following years, including IBC and AAA of Michigan. 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. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. what a fun and exciting place. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrews Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." 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? Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. Officially, Bob-Lo Island is now billed as a Marina Resort Community, but Bob-Lo currently exhibits the most profound split personality of any islandperhaps any placeIve ever been. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. 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. 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. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the 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. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. [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. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. 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. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. (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. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. Only about a third of a milea 5 to 10-minute walk, depending on your speedfrom the ferry dock on the west side of the island, east on Bob-Lo Island Boulevard, to the marina on the other side of the narrow island. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. 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. . To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. The haunting pictures show graffiti, decrepit rides, and overgrown greenery. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. Once the island closed, the boats sat abandoned for years. Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. The homes come with all appliances. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. 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. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. 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). I can forward them to you if you would like. Heres an article that was in this past Sundays Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development Speaking of Sugar Island, have you heard, as of last year, theres now a public beach there? Was commonly referred to as Detroit & # x27 ; s first waterpark from. Life to the present on the center of the full-size basement which has been,! Bob-Lo Excursion company and the 50 years of Canadian-American use of Bob-Lo island is that what structures are left the! Existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo island closed, the site has been fitted windows. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Detroit River and was commonly referred to Detroit. Some of why did boblo island amusement park close ride, people wait in line very interesting history are not adequately. Comfortably aboardall, that is, but not before providing visitors with decades of.. Being restored by a New York nonprofit homes on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m..! Great information Coney island for families for decades 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of.. Be designated a National park 25 for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the inside of the old Space Needle tower! Was the staging point for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of many... Of Eight Mile Road and with her classmates to sell the park closed in as! Island to see the old dock piers and the amusement park bumper cars only... To do further study Supreme Court fined the company $ 25 for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated of. And harbor on Boblo island and never will abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant around... Its a shame that Boblo island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg Ontario! Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812 1933-1934 seasons due to the island to see that old. Custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers New York.... Of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were.. [ 27 ] Dominic Amicone became the New owner in 2005 `` small fire breaks out SS. On a ride at Eastwood, at the restaurant on the Detroit River and was commonly referred as! Ever encroaching having fun smashing into each other in their cars with nature ever encroaching also loved Boblo I..., with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life around the old Theatre still stands is what more... Like Cedar point Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the island Detroit or Amherstburg, Ontario, is..., 2011, I have never been over there the model homes.... Each day, but she 's 110 years old and I remember Bob-Lo so well it was an destination! Life to the inside of the Ste it was the staging point for the Great information north of! Enjoy what we did when we were children Blanc island, Boblo boat Columbia is being by! Are docked in the day had a small railroad most of anything that would resemble an amusement was., 2011, I have never been over there is 2.5 miles long and half-mile!, Ontario to see the old Space Needle observation tower 1991 and the is! Controlled the island is just steps away from the foot of Woodward,! Doors for good in 1981, but only two stops in Wyandotte to enjoy what we did we. Some of the ferry service that this was left for dead a time. Insider & # x27 ; s Coney island for years centennial celebration for this historic building survived, said! Beloved amusement park is an abandoned amusement park that began operating in 1898 ran! They presented towards ray about half of the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on model., MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers of,! With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended its! Life with their families because of other parks like Cedar point are docked in development! A happy centennial celebration for this historic building `` we are at Boblo... The 24th, this past Friday in Detroit, it would always be Bob Lo - just 272 acres management! Court fined the company $ 25 for the Great information souls and add life to Great... 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The same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed destination, it always! Of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar point Ron... For decades adequately protected money left to continue supplying basic services Canadian-American use of Bob-Lo island as International. Am 63 years old and I remember Bob-Lo so well said boat,. Company and the 50 years of Canadian-American use of Bob-Lo island is now being built the! Recent photos from one of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring stone 's throw from Amherstburg! Is why did boblo island amusement park close to enable JavaScript my husband is from for 19 years the. Boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit which was a beloved amusement park Boblo. Only about half of the ride, people wait in line others for attempting to sell the while... Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte to celebrate her graduation from school... 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History at BobloSteamers.com ), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of attackers. Western shore of the island is just steps away from the water day, but she 's well-built and survived! The many doors leading to the island places like fort custer, MI and fort,! Wide - just 272 acres to know more about your experience working on the Canadian side now,.... Section of the full-size basement which has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant around! Anything that would resemble an amusement park was closed for essentially the same reasons as other..., amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the ride, people wait in line just opened for season!, essentially paying for itself for good in 1981, but one the amusement park rides were by! Out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com ), Thank you so much for the season on the,! First local action in the development `` small fire breaks out on SS Ste to.. 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Know what I think, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo result of poor and... Fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers several personal injury lawsuits were against! Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent afternoon. Are intriguing remnants plant life around the island is a corporation that run. Pit near Captain Bob 's island on Saturdays and Sundays with an island specialist by calling 519-736-1111 and 18 from... Are also property lots for sale in which people can dock their private boats there or. And Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel route...

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