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 My husband is from Yes, I list http://www.boblo.ca as a source where one can get more information in my book Great Lakes Island Escapes: Ferries and Bridges to Adventure (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2016). (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. Touch device users . Claire, built in 1910. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. With all the history on that island, I dont get it why it was left to die. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. - Bonnie, Oh! Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. 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 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. 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. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. Although I had $8.00 in Canadian currency in hand to pay the ferry toll, I rode the ferry without being charged and with no questions asked. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. BOBLO Island poster. Since 1989, Kevin has collected miniature amusement park rides, and built a loose replica of Boblo Island in his home. We also traveled. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. It was awesome place. 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. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. Can you go over to the island any time? The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. Explore. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. Each held about 2,500 passengers. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. ), Thank you so much for the great information. . How to get to Boblo Island: 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. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. 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. 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. The scion of one of Seattle's wealthiest and most philanthropic families, Benaroya was bankrolling Moodenbaugh's dream to resurrect the Boblo Island Amusement Park near Detroit. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. 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. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. Claire. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. McLeans Mansion (Holly Lea): The historic building that was saved by the local community from demolition, The ruins of Richmond Castle: one of the oldest Norman fortresses in England. Im glad you made this comment. [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. 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. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. Sue Cicala. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. . Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. Both doors are were chain locked. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: Why is it called Boblo Island? -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. So sad. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 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 SS Ste. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. 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. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. Hundreds of small amusement parks went out in 1980s as families all went to super amusement parks like Cedar Point and Six Flags and did not visit small ones often. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. 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. 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. Really sad. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. You know what I think, I have never been over there. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. Ray was removed from the boat because she was not white, enforced according to a Bob-Lo company policy "excluding so-called 'zoot-suiters', the rowdyish, the rough, and the boisterous, and it also adopted the policy of excluding colored. The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! Riding the Rotor at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh in 1955. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Claire, seen in 2016. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. It is boarded up but . There are two total bedrooms in this home. 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 sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. For more than 85 years, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was famous for being served by the Steamer Ste Claire and the Steamer Columbia excursion boats that could hold about 2,500 passengers each. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. To add . [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. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. Claire and the SS Columbia? Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. Remember it was a time when girls wore dresses and not pants, so we sure had to be careful on the rides (check out the pictures how the girls were dressed). The ruins of what remains can be seen via the waterway that separates both Michigan and Ontario, but for many, the memories of this once-bustling park are what truly keep it alive. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. [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. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. [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.
