The price is around $500k. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. The control room area through broken glass. Sad that it no longer exists. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. . The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. Its sister. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. I found this very useful for Information! 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. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. The ship in mid-swing. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. 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. Really sad. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park. It was set on Ontario's picturesque Bois Blanc Island (frequently known as "Boblo Island") and featured everything you could want in a theme park. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. 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. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. The haunting pictures show graffiti, decrepit rides, and overgrown greenery. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). The biggest surprise during my visit to Bob-Lo came from a different sort of stranger than the type Id been envisioning when I was watching the girls swim in the river. The SS Ste. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. [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. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. The best time was 8 hours and 42 minutes turned in by 17-year old Dorothy de Caussin and 15-year old Ida Mutnick, both of Detroit. The initial attractions of the island were . A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. The native Wyandot called the island "Etiowiteendannenti.Both the Wyandot and French names refer to the white wood appearance lent by the birch and poplar trees that line the banks. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. He's been with WDIV since 2013. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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? [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". . 272 acres. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? 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). Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. You can visit the island now, as I did in July of 2011 (all the photos accompanying the blog posting above were taken on that visit), by taking a small car ferry across a narrow strip of the Detroit River from the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. Claire and the SS Columbia? It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. ", "Small fire breaks out on SS Ste. That was in 1993. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. Why is it called Boblo Island? In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. 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. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. 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). His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. My husband is from Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! 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. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Boblo Island today: British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. . We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. 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. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. BOBLO Island poster. 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. The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. 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. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. How to rent hobbit-type MUSHROOM HOUSES in Northern Michigan, Haunting insides of the abandoned NORTHVILLE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, See Michigan's only ALPINE MOUNTAIN SLIDE, 1,700 feet of fun, Inside Michigan's OLDEST OPERATING INN built in 1835, This may be the MOST PICTURESQUE spot in Michigan, Inside the SMITHSONIAN OF MAGIC, located in Michigan, We explored WARREN DUNES, the Sleeping Bear of Southwest MI, GoPro video riding MICHIGAN'S LONGEST ZIPLINE, Exploring Michigan's abandoned, haunted ELOISE ASYLUM, Country's LARGEST AUTO MUSEUM is in the middle of nowhere, Michigan. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. 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. By 1910 the first amusement park rides, the carousel, ponies and a dancing pavillion were available. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. 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. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was open for nearly 100 years. [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. 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 Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. All Rights Reserved. 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. But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. 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. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. 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.. "Living on the island feels like being on vacation everyday," said Gena Boschin, a former Tennessee resident who lives on the island and works in Amherstburg. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Touch device users . [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. By Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. BOBLO runs Nov. 22 to Dec. 2 at the Great Hall Black Box Theatre (former venue of the Theatre Centre), 1087 Queen St. W. For tickets ($20-$25), visit theatrecentre.org or call 416-538-0988. [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. Did you work on both the SS Ste. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. 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. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. Finally, A young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. 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 new film tells us. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: Particularly down at White Sands beach below the Lighthouse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/), where two boats were anchored during my visit to the south end of the island with a large group of partying young people. [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. [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. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. 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. He was 20 years older than me. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". 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). Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? What I remember about Bob-Lo Island specifically, the entrance coming off of the boat, one of the last times I went the Simpsons were the mascots and I met Bart and Homer. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. You know what I think, I have never been over there. The place is oozing history. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. They are located next to the Dance Hall. 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. 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. Claire. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Required fields are marked *. 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. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. Once the island closed, the boats sat abandoned for years. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to 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. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. 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. 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. About Island, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and.. Was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long Island amusement park ran! Now long departed use to frequent park has been fitted with windows and electricity add-on. Restore it and have it run in the middle structures are left from the water over... 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