Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. The ferry is run for the island residents, their guests, and prospective buyers of lots in the Triamico Development Affiliates marina resort community. However, there is a public restaurant, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House, on the west side of the island by the marina (ferry docks at the east side). He's been with WDIV since 2013. It was like a little cruise. what a fun and exciting place. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. That is what the park was supposed to be about. I found this very useful for Information! [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park. I worked on the Boats in 1980. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. [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. 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. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. They are located next to the Dance Hall. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. 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. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. All the passengers who had purchased round-trip tickets were comfortably aboardall, that is, but one. 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. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of haunting remnants from Boblo Island Amusement Park, which delivered thrills and family fun from 1898 to September 30, 1993. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. 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. 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). My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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). 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. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. To the north of the road leading from the ferry dock is a subdivision ofmini-mansions and duplexes, with an emphasis on stone and heavy on Victorian-style turrets. 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. Its sister. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. 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). [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. 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. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. 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). [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. Which theme park has the most deaths? - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. He had hoped to build a bridge to Bob-Lo to eliminate the inconvenience of the boat rides, but he did not realize (or appreciate) that Bob-Lo Island was across an international border from Michigan. 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. BOBLO Island poster. 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. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. The Nightmare (ride), Falling Star, Wild Mouse, Sky Streak and Screamer were the signature rides. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. I can forward them to you if you would like. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. Everyone has a memory to tell. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. I believe the unfortunate combination of being a Canadian island with almost all American history is the reason its not being cherished by people in Canada. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. The sociology of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 The sociology of unemployment is an analysis of the experience and governance of unemployment. 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. Since 1989, Kevin has collected miniature amusement park rides, and built a loose replica of Boblo Island in his home. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. A new film tells us. 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 a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. 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. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. "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. Before I rode on it on the Island I had gone to a local fair and 3 other girls and I rode together on it and we laughed and really enjoyed it. It was awesome place. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. 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. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. 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. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. Obscured in a small wooded area between the Dance Pavilion and the Terminal are the remains of the minature golf course: Consider this: I did not see another person during my entire afternoon exploration of the historic sites on the island, except for three young teenage girls I observed leaving the Resorts community pool and making their way down to the river alone, to the channel between Bob-Lo and Amherstburg, where, nestled next to the Terminal, is a very small sand beach where they swam. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. 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. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. Kathi. Suddenly, without any warning, there was a relatively large mammal in the middle of the trail, directly in the line of my front bike tire. Having trotted out into the intersection, clearly not expecting anyone to be on the trail, the animal froze and then turned and shot back up the path, between thetall vegetation on each side, its hind legs trying to gain purchase on the crushed limestone. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers The living space of the Deerview twin villas. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take whenone departedon the other side of the border. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. [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. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. In 1898, the Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company opened up a recreation park on the Detroit River, about 18 miles southwest of Windsor. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Pinterest. It is sad, Cheryl. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. 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. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. The tiny island is located in the middle of the East River, parallel to Manhattan's East 46th to 85th Streets. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. Claire, seen in 2016. Im glad you made this comment. 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. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. Did you work on both the SS Ste. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. The men's entrance is to the left. The place is oozing history. It's docked in New York. There are no hotels. 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. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The SS Ste. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. [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. 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. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. DETROITAny Michigander of a certain vintage won't forget their giddiness en route to Boblo Island amusement park, a carefree ferry ride from Detroit's metropolis to a land that seemed a world away. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. The island is owned nearly in its entirety by Windsor developer Dominic Amicone through his Bob-Lo Island development company. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. 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. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. saki, Japan. The homes come with all appliances. Boblo Island is accessible by a 16-car ferry that departs from the dock next to the Bob-Lo Island Discovery Centre, which is at 340 Dalhousie St., Amherstburg, ON. However, due to lack of demand, the park closed in 2001 and never reopened. . The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. - Sally. Clair and the SS Columbia. Larry Benaroya, his associate, and his Northern Capital took control of the property; Mancini was fired, and the ownership group put it back on the market in January 1994. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. the building is not secure, given that one-quarter of a large window in the front is broken in, metal strips hanging from its frame. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. 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. Here are some we found on various blogs and forums: I was one of the last generations of people who were able to enjoy Bob-Lo island amusement park. 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. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings 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. Which may not be surprising, given that its been many thingscamp for European explorers, fortress, picnic spot, dance venue, amusement park, retreatto many people over the centuries beginning with four Algonquin and Iroquoian tribes:the Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Wyandot (Huron)one source claims the original name of the island was Etiowiteedannenti, a name bestowed by the Wyandotand followed by: The first recorded passage to the island, which was named Bois Blanc (White Woods), by the French dates from 1670. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. But the partnership soon dissolved into a clash of wills that led to the collapse of the amusement park and a bitter lawsuit. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. 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 island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. Boblo Island was very special. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. 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