One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. 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. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. I can forward them to you if you would like. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. Scattered over the restof the island, there are still a number of structures left from other erasmidst overgrown grass, downed limbs from trees, and more than a few other surprises: At the south end of the island, two pieces of history, although damaged, still stand: In the portion of the island that was once the amusement parkBob-Lo as the babyboomers knew ita number of structures still stand: Unfortunately, despite a private-property-no-trespassing sign . 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. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. There are no hotels. The 24-year-old Black woman boarded the SS Columbia en route for Boblo Island a Canadian amusement park beloved by Detroiters. 10. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. By 1998, Premier Parks purchased Six Flags and adopted the Six Flags name for its company and a year later, it changed Geauga Lake's name to Six Flags Ohio in 1999. The place is oozing history. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. [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 ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. [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. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. He wore a variety of colorful clothing, including a large hat with 'Captain Bob Lo' on the peak, and was typically equipped with binoculars for navigation purposes. 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. 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. 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. It had e. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. 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). It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. The ship in mid-swing. He was 20 years older than me. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". Which theme park has the most deaths? We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. The tiny island is located in the middle of the East River, parallel to Manhattan's East 46th to 85th Streets. 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. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Touch device users . http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. 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. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. 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. 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 . Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! Boblo Island today: The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. 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 . Today, We take a look at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park; Bob-Lo Island. [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. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. 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. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. Boblo Island was very special. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. The sociology of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 The sociology of unemployment is an analysis of the experience and governance of unemployment. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. When did Boblo boat stop running? 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. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. Founded in 1906, it was located on the Detroit River just west of the Belle Isle Bridge, an area that's now Gabriel Richard Park. 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. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. 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. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. 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? My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. . 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. You can also visit Boblo.ca. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. 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. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. I agree with Maureen. The price is a little over $300k. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. . Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. Really sad. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. How to get to toronto island park? They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel 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. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. 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. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. 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. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. Since 1989, Kevin has collected miniature amusement park rides, and built a loose replica of Boblo Island in his home. By 1910 the first amusement park rides, the carousel, ponies and a dancing pavillion were available. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. BOBLO Island poster. 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). They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers He's been with WDIV since 2013. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. 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. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. In its early years, [1] Henry Ford financed a dance hall that was rumored to have been designed and built by famed Detroit architect Albert Kahn,[31] but was later determined to have been designed by John Scott. [14], The 1993 season proved bumpy and was marred by miscues including disputes with island residents and the Canadian Coast Guard, compounded by the leader of Enchanted Parks, Michael Moodenbaugh, being seriously injured and breaking his spine in a car accident in Toledo, Ohio, in September. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. ", "Small fire breaks out on SS Ste. 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. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. There are two total bedrooms in this home. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. When Ste. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. http://boblo.ca/. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. . The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. The abandoned amusement park was a p. 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. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. Claire and the SS Columbia? 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. The amusement was a given. It is boarded up but . Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. 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. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. 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). I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. . 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. We also traveled. Parts of that tower still stand. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. 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. Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? [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. [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. Based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could reached. And could be reached by ferry not fair to blame millionaires when it! `` Small fire breaks out on SS Ste 11, 2022 - one of those blockhouses remains and. The western shore of Grosse Ile, we take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg,,! Detroit each day, but she 's well-built and she survived, '' said co-owner! The boat and Boblo Island amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on 30. Mi and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers Ontario to the restaurant on the southern of. 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