Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. Please dont judge us without knowing us! That was in 1993. 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). What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. Claire and the SS Columbia? As I have written to the owner of the company that bought the island: You have no idea how much Boblo Island Amusement Park was to our society. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. what a fun and exciting place. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. 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. Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. The price is around $500k. [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. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. when was the last day of this park operated (i mean the last summur )when it was open for public for the last and until what day was the ferry or the steamer making trip, and can you visit it now. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. 10. How to get to toronto island park? While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. ", "Small fire breaks out on SS Ste. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? [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. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! 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. Can you go over to the island any time? Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. [2], Though it was not looking for a buyer, the Michigan AAA sold Boblo Island in 1988 to the International Broadcasting Corporation, a Minneapolis-based concern that owned the Harlem Globetrotters and Ice Capades. 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. The Sky Streak Ride, for example, was moved to Selva Magica, a theme park in Mexico, and the Nightmare was initially moved to Six Flags Houston where it was known as the Mayan Mindbender, only to be moved once again to a theme park in Amarillo, Texas. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." One reason is competition from larger theme parks. These luxury dwellings were erected. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. 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? Claire. 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. A tri-plex home. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? 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. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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). It was awesome place. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. Boblo Island was very special. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. He's been with WDIV since 2013. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). Following the war, British forces garrisoned at Fort Malden in Amherstburg, across the river from Bois Blanc, and strengthened their position by building three blockhouses on the island. By 1920 the famous amusement ride, the Whip was installed on the island and the first season alone paid for the maintenance and the purchase of the ride. - 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. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy The control room area through broken glass. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. 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. When Ste. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. Take a look at the link below as we take you a journey through what was once Boblo Island Amusement Park, right up to its emerging transformation. A new film tells us. 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[25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. It was the site of a conflict in 1838 during the Upper Canadian Rebellion, where 50 attackers were locked in one of the three blockhouses that had been built on the island. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. The SS Ste. Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. 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. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. It is not fair that these people can just take away the little bit of history we have left just so they can watch their bank accounts rise. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. The amusement was a given. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. 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. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. 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. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel Only one blockhouse remains today. That is what the park was supposed to be about. Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". We dont save anything for history any more. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. 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. . It may be under different management than when I had a pretty tasty perch sandwich there, but you can find out more, including their hours at: http://www.boblo.ca/pages/living/restaurant.html, Thank you very much for info. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. "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. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! 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. 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. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. . Between my concerns for the submerged rocks of the river and the mortar of history I was climbing over, I thought, what a wonderful place this island would be to explore if you were a kid or teenager and what a nightmare it poses for parents or grandparents of those explorers! 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). The steamers, the Ste. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. . Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. 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. It was like a little cruise. Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. Watch. This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. Thank you again for the information. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. By 1910 the first amusement park rides, the carousel, ponies and a dancing pavillion were available. 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. . This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. I can forward them to you if you would like. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 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. Really sad. 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. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. - LJ. The existence of such an organization would certainly be complicated by the facts that 1) Bob-Lo is a Canadian island with an overbearing American past, and 2) today Bob-Lo primarily serves asa retreat for the wealthy, who I can imagine would not want people coming to visit the historical remains there,any more than they would want hunters (although if theyown a cat or a small dog, the latter might be welcome if they could take care of the coyote population). The abandoned amusement park was a p. The price is a little over $300k. Claire, former Boblo Boat", Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bois_Blanc_Island_(Ontario)&oldid=1136092735, All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 18:24. 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