Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. 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 far end of the island is now all luxury homes. . After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. What did you do? 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. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. The island is now a residential community. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. 10. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! In this respect, today, Bob-Lo Island appears a bead broken off from the strand, adrift in more than just the Detroi River, its historic integrity drowned in the current of a sequence of ill-fated development schemes. It is boarded up but . One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. 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. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. - Sally. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. The Island is now stripped on most of anything that would resemble an amusement park. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. "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.". Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. Boblo Island now boasts deluxe houses and condos, valued from $184,000 to $1.15 million, with walk-out basements and turreted views of the Detroit River. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. Though not all is lost. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel Claire, built in 1910. 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 . Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. Boblo Island was very special. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. All Rights Reserved. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. The initial attractions of the island were . 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. The SS Ste. Required fields are marked *. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. Which theme park has the most deaths? There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. 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). Claire, seen in 2016. 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. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! Your email address will not be published. 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. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. Bois Blanc is known regionally as the former home of the Boblo Island Amusement Park, which began operation in 1898 and closed on September 30, 1993. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. But the partnership soon dissolved into a clash of wills that led to the collapse of the amusement park and a bitter lawsuit. Since 1989, Kevin has collected miniature amusement park rides, and built a loose replica of Boblo Island in his home. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria. For many in this part of Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? 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. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. 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. Boblo Island today: These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. That was in 1993. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. Claire. [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. 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. 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. How to get to Boblo Island: After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. As one can use motor vehicles only in the northern residential tip of the island, if you plan to explore the island, you may want to bring a bike with you. I can forward them to you if you would like. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. 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. - 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. Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? How to get to toronto island park? 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). It was set on Ontario's picturesque Bois Blanc Island (frequently known as "Boblo Island") and featured everything you could want in a theme park. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! - LJ. He was 20 years older than me. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. . Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. (From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina), BOBLO BOAT TOUR: Take a video tour of the historic boat that traveled the Detroit River for 81 years. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was open for nearly 100 years. The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Can you go over to the island any time? The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. The place is oozing history. But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. With all the history on that island, I dont get it why it was left to die. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. Both doors are were chain locked. The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). I dont think it is sad at all! The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . The sociology of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 The sociology of unemployment is an analysis of the experience and governance of unemployment. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. 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! My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. 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. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. The island has quite an interesting history. 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. Explore. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. 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). 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. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. It was like a little cruise. 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. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. The haunting pictures show graffiti, decrepit rides, and overgrown greenery. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. Located at the mouth of the Detroit River, which . The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. Electric Park was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. [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. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. Even the words scrawled across its portal announced simply "Eastwood Park.". 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. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. 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. 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