This is private property and the doors are chain locked. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. All rights reserved (About Us). The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. 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. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. - LJ. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. [11] Roger Fachini, a 40-year-old engineer for General Dynamics and owner of a waterpark in Utica, Michigan, placed the winning $3.8 million bid and proposed redevelopment after two years,[12][13] but Boblo's creditors turned it down; after the deposit cheque bounced, they took $600,000 less in the bid from Enchanted Parks of Seattle, owners of the Wild Waves Theme Park near that city. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. How to live on Boblo Island: 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. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. 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. 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. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. 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. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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 children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. What did you do? All rights reserved (About Us). I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. Only one blockhouse remains today. 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. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. So sad. Though not all is lost. One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. 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. Riding the Rotor at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh in 1955. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. Which theme park has the most deaths? The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. "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. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. It was great to see all the vintage photos and stories from the good old days of classic boating when wooden boats were the norm, not the exception. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. 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. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. 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. - 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. This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. There are just two ways in and out of the island. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. 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. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. 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 is boarded up but . Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. 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 Did you work on both the SS Ste. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. Today, We take a look at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park; Bob-Lo Island. He's been with WDIV since 2013. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. 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. It is sad, Cheryl. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. The abandoned amusement park was a p. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. 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. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? . For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. 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. The control room area through broken glass. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. 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. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! That was in 1993. Im glad you made this comment. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. Your email address will not be published. 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. People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. The scion of one of Seattle's wealthiest and most philanthropic families, Benaroya was bankrolling Moodenbaugh's dream to resurrect the Boblo Island Amusement Park near Detroit. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. Sue Cicala. 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. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. So when we went to the Island, we took a cab to the downtown docks to catch the first boat out and then we would return on the last boat. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. The Island is now stripped on most of anything that would resemble an amusement park. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? How to get to Boblo Island: Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. Claire, built in 1910. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. 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. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. The Human Spinning Rotor or simply "The Rotor" was invented by a German scientist, Ernst Hoffmeister, and was financially supported by businessman Carl Friese. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. When Ste. 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