Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. The railroad began operating on the island in 1956. 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 living space of the Deerview twin villas. The Ste. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. why did boblo island close; william monroe high school why did boblo island close. Baths. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. The Detroit-Wayne County Port Authority found a way to end a 100-year agreement that gave the Moroun-owned Ambassador Port Co. sweeping control, but questions remain about the speed at which the deal gained approval of the public authority's board, transparency about the deal and what it means for the port going forward. I mean Harbour House is nice, but would be nice to have a better view of the water (other than the marina) where you can watch the big ships go by. It was like a little cruise. Change). Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from 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. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . Hard to believe, but for the first time in 124 years, there is no such place as Boblo Island. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. Nessel calls on DTE, Consumers to issue automatic power outage credits after storm. The price is around $500k. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. 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. Boblo's miniature railroad was perfect for those interested in something more leisurely than the island's rollercoaster. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? This is the observation area which would rise to the top. 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. 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). Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin is located on the western shore of Boblo Island, and is open for residents and visitors from Thursday through Sunday. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. When I was riding my bike on a trail that runs through the middle of the island, I came upon a T-intersection buried amidst tall, tall grass, with the Carousel Building on my left and the Powerhouse on my right. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. I worked on the Boats in 1980. 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. Competition came in, e.g., Sea World. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. The amusement park was so famous in its day that Henry Ford himself provided money for a Dance Hall to be built, designed by the architect John Scott. Review. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the 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. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. They are located next to the Dance Hall. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. At the end of the turbulent 75 minutes, Boblo Boats brings us up-to-date on restoration efforts for both ferries while simultaneously summoning an unanticipated moral force. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). "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. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? View TODAY's New Listings by beds, baths, lot size, listing status, days on market, & more! Boater can also dock at the Boblo Wharf on the west side of the island, to eat at the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant. Author: Michael R Stoller Jr CC BY-ND 2.0 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. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. The island is now a residential community. St. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. The place just went completely downhill. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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 people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. It closed for good in 1993, 25 years ago. Opened in 1898, Boblo Island was one of North America's. Built in the early 1900s, the SS Columbia and SS Ste. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. 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. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. 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. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. It was a Canadian Island and had passenger boats that sailed from Detroit, Gibraltar and Amherstburg Ontario. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. For more than a century, Bob-Lo Island had belonged to Ontario Province. 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. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. Bois Blanc Island, former site of the Bob-Lo Island amusement park, is located at southern endof the DetroitRiver before it enters Lake Erie,and is about one-half mile wide and three miles long. Over the roughly two-and-a-half decades that have passed since the closure, many of the most telltale signs of the park have faded away, including the ultra spooky-looking ferry boats that used to. Claire, seen in 2016. 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. 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 did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. 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 Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. 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. . Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. Id built up this image of perfectly cut green grass, flowers, water slides and party halls, but what I saw when I stepped onto the old white dock was far from the oasis I was told about. Share. 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. why did boblo island close. Both doors are were chain locked. (LogOut/ How to get to Boblo Island: The Columbia is undergoing restoration. One island. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. Though not all is lost. [26] KPMG found there was no money left to continue supplying basic services. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. We dont save anything for history any more. And a Fairyland park on the ocean in OR, etc. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. (LogOut/ When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? 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. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. 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. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. 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. See All Homes for Sale in Amherstburg. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. 2,000. There are no hotels. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. Barb's Boblo Tavern. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. If the boat looks familiar, it is not your imagination. 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. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Although the name will seem new to most of us, it's actually the original historic name of the island that was home to the historic . Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. Barely visible remains of the park. This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. 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. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. When did Boblo boat stop running? It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. The SS Ste. Boblo closed for good in September 1993. I am only 12. 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. The Browning Family sold the island in 1979, which led to several owners in the following years, including IBC and AAA of Michigan. 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. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. You know what I think, I have never been over there. Edit: I hope it's just a tracker issue but it seemed to be working fine. A tri-plex home. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. Everyone has a memory to tell. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. 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). I agree, Jennifer, very sad. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. 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. 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. [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. There are two total bedrooms in this home. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. Or not. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! 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). (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). 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. why did boblo island close Menu fatal shooting in los angeles today. 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. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. 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 subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. There are just two ways in and out of the island. Locate and compare Service d'ambulance in Mersea ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. 0 Comments Comments You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. 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. 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. . Boblo Island, originally names Bois Blanc (White Woods in French) opened as a Park in 1898. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. 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. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. Valentine and Sons United Publishing Company - This image is part of the Canadian Copyright Collection held by the British Library, and has been digitized as part of the "Picturing Canada" project. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. 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. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. A private community is now being built on the island. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. All rights reserved (About Us). Filming of the movie began across Metro Detroit earlier this year. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Why did Boblo Island shut down? Unclaimed. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. in subculturing, when do you use the inoculating loop cactus allergy symptoms Second case of COVID-19 confirmed in Windsor-Essex City of Windsor declares state of emergency, Devonshire and Tecumseh malls to close Boblo Island residential development plan moving forward. It's docked in New York. How to live on Boblo Island: The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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 [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. Ironically, after Canada abolished slavery in 1793, the island became a rest stop for escaped slaves traveling the Underground Railroad. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. Mon-Wed 8:30 - 7:00 Thu-Fri 8:30 - 7:00 Sat 8:30 . I found this very useful for Information! [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - 585. The 16mm film is from around 1960. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. Can you go over to the island any time? The bike rental shop was closed, but you can check your weight for free. The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. steeped in history is open for business. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. It was on a small island in the Detroit River at the mouth of Lake Erie. Boblo Island was very special. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. Many of the other rides are still entertaining guests at parks in Texas, Maryland, British Columbia, and Mexico. 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. . Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. 272 acres. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. The ship in mid-swing. Sue Cicala. The SS Ste. It blew up, shaking the island and sending rocks flying. You can also visit Boblo.ca. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. All rights reserved (About Us). That is what the park was supposed to be about. The ships ferried people to the Boblo Island amusement park on the Detroit River for 89 years until they ceased operation in 1991. [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. Really sad. 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. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. In fact, one of those . 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). Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. Bois Blanc Island, Pointe Aux Pins, MI 49775 +1 231-634-7100 + Add website + Add hours. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. The control room area through broken glass. It is sad, Cheryl. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. I agree. why did boblo island close. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration, Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, A glass blower puts on a demonstration in the craftsmen's area - 1970s, A child takes a spin on a ride at Boblo Island - 1970s. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. By golf cart or bike or on foot are the only ways to navigate the crushed limestone trails that cover the remainder of the island,but for the residential area (the only place where cars are allowed).