Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. 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. The park, which. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! 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. It had e. Opened in 1898, Boblo Island was one of North America's. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. The railroad began operating on the island in 1956. 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.. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. Mon-Wed 8:30 - 7:00 Thu-Fri 8:30 - 7:00 Sat 8:30 . I agree; it would be wonderful if the park could be restored or perhaps, reinvented to serve in a new way of bringing community together! It was a Canadian Island and had passenger boats that sailed from Detroit, Gibraltar and Amherstburg Ontario. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. Really sad. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant Visiters to the marina can visit the small gallery of photographs and paintings of water scenes or rent bikes to explore the island (although what appeared to be the bike rental building was closed on this July Saturday, so perhaps not). In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. One island. Built in the early 1900s, the SS Columbia and SS Ste. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. 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 Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. 11 Properties from $2,300. Over the years, the crowds going to Bob-Lo on the boat would were increasingly loud and rude and some people avoided going to Bob-Lo to avoid the noise. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. 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. 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. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Detroit Publishing Co via the Library of Congress, This appears to be the SS Columbia Boblo Boat, which was built in 1902, Ferry dock on Boblo Island - between 1890 and 1901. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? Save. That is what the park was supposed to be about. Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. 582 gold coast drive boblo island ontario windsor essex ontario mls 22015670 video tour available at https wwwdangemuscom listings welcome to the awesome lifestyle on bois blanc also known as boblo. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. The price is around $500k. "I have all the amenities of city life that I need within walking distance in Amherstburg, and all the amazing amenities the island life brings me.". 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). Boblo Island is an Island in the Detroit River located directly west of Amherstburg, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the border. Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. 2022-09-26. The Boblo Island Detroit dock building can be seen on the Detroit, Michigan side of the Detroit River. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. Call (519) 979-9949 to reach your Amherstburg real estate team, Team Goran of RE/MAX CARE Realty. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. why did boblo island closeconservation international ceo. 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. An incident in 1902 caused a man-made mini earthquake on the island. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. . Boblo officially closed in 1993. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. In 1958 the island was the site of joint Canadian-American war games, addressing a hostile force presence with amphibious units from around the Great Lakes. See All Homes for Sale in Amherstburg. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who spent summers riding the ferry to Boblo Island, visiting its amusement park or just enjoying a picnic. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. It's docked in New York. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. Boblo's trains made a 20-minute circuit around about 2 miles of track . What did you do? The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. The place just went completely downhill. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. 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). Although there was a bike rental business near the marina and Beach House Restaurant on the west side of the island (the ferry dock is on the east side of the island), it was not open for business on the beautiful summer weekend day I was there, so I wouldnt count on being able to rent a bike on the island. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. 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). (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. mike smithson tutor perini; ford f 350 ignition switch replacement. It is the remnant of a place where river boats took passengers to an amusement park on a Canadian island just to the south western end of the Detroit River. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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 dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. 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. All Rights Reserved. Boblo Island today: The Park which eventually became Boblo Amusement Park got its first ride, the 178 48-animal Mangels-Illions Carousel. Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. Livingstone writes that the white sand beach was created in 1957 when a vein of sand in the mouth of the river was dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as they deepend the Amherstburg Channel to St. Lawrence Seaway standards, opening the Great Lakesto the world.. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . In a sentence, I think, the world around POP changed. Boblo Boats Documentary Hitting Select Theatres in Detroit This Fall [VIDEO], Metallicas 72 Seasons Global Premiere Where You Can Watch in Michigan, Detroit Chef Named Chopped Champ Donates $10K Prize, Tri-County Ninja & Collectibles in Fenton Approved for Liquor License, Compete in Cedar Point Trivia from the Comfort of Your Michigan Home, Michigan Has Enforced the Death Penalty a Remarkably Low Number of Times, Celebrate 21 Years Of The Machine Shop In March, 13 Suggestions to Fill Flints Empty Sears in Genesee Valley Mall. why did boblo island close. The bike rental shop was closed, but you can check your weight for free. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. The Ste. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. 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. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you . Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. Each held about 2,500 passengers. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 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. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. 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). This was particularly true during the Great Depression and the World War II era, when finances were tight and the world seemed to exist in a perpetual state of anxiety. [6] In February 1992, the park was put up for sale for US$9 million, half of its 1988 purchase price, though it committed to opening it for that summer. Each historical society serves as a bead on a rosary linking current and future generations to the past, acts as a tool to support prayers of keeping the memories alive, keeps a link to the human roots of a distinctive place that has meant many things to many people over the years. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. Heres an article that was in this past Sundays Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development Speaking of Sugar Island, have you heard, as of last year, theres now a public beach there? The best time was 8 hours and 42 minutes turned in by 17-year old Dorothy de Caussin and 15-year old Ida Mutnick, both of Detroit. The Columbia's ship keeper, Sam Buchanan, said the St. Clair has "a prominent role" in. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Unclaimed. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. Find the best offers for your search 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 legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. All rights reserved (About Us). My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. Rule 2 does not apply when replying to this stickied comment.. Rule 2 does apply throughout the rest of this thread.. What this means: Please keep any "meta" discussion directed at specific users, mods, or r/conspiracy in general in this comment chain only.. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. A shack which held dynamite used for dredging the near-by channel was fired into by a group of boys out hunting or fishing. See all (4) Update: A couple of them were partially restored and used during the filming ofTransformers 4. Between my concerns for the submerged rocks of the river and the mortar of history I was climbing over, I thought, what a wonderful place this island would be to explore if you were a kid or teenager and what a nightmare it poses for parents or grandparents of those explorers! It was on a small island in the Detroit River at the mouth of Lake Erie. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. Poison ivy now grows in the ring of mature trees in front of the Lavatory building, where I imagine the men in hatsretiring for a smoke while they await their dates inflapper attireto emerge from The Ladies Room.. I agree with Maureen. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. [2] The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island.