Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. . Please dont judge us without knowing us! what a fun and exciting place. The ruins of what remains can be seen via the waterway that separates both Michigan and Ontario, but for many, the memories of this once-bustling park are what truly keep it alive. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. The Human Spinning Rotor or simply "The Rotor" was invented by a German scientist, Ernst Hoffmeister, and was financially supported by businessman Carl Friese. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. 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. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. When did Boblo boat stop running? As I have written to the owner of the company that bought the island: You have no idea how much Boblo Island Amusement Park was to our society. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. 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). 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? "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. . [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. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. 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. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. We also traveled. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. Touch device users . Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . The island is owned nearly in its entirety by Windsor developer Dominic Amicone through his Bob-Lo Island development company. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. The ship in mid-swing. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. It was finally decided in 1949 to officially re-name the island and the park Bob-Lo, in a matter of simplification (today it is still referred to by both names on maps of the area). Once the island closed, the boats sat abandoned for years. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. 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. 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 legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . I found this very useful for Information! The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. 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. Claire, seen in 2016. Claire and the SS Columbia? Required fields are marked *. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. 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 [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. - 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. Claire, former Boblo Boat", Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bois_Blanc_Island_(Ontario)&oldid=1136092735, All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 18:24. 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. These luxury dwellings were erected. 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). Boblo Island Timeline from the Detroit News, "Bob-Lo Excursion Co. v. Michigan, 333 U.S. 28 (1948)", "Boblo amusement park purchased by U.S. firm", "Park yours for $9 million: Owner says sellany development OK", "Boblo remains viable business, observer says", "Boblo Island gets no nibbles, no takers, says realtor", "Bad news rains on financially troubled Boblo", "Michigan investors unlikely to appeal Boblo ownership", "Boblo tradition seems safer with Seattle owner", "Dance band on the Titanic: Boblo's last tangle", "Former Boblo partner sues ex-partners over sale", "Boblo's roller-coaster saga ends: Piece by historic piece, popular park dismantled", "Boblo's heyday not forgotten: New owner has ties to area", "New Boblo owner offers few details to packed house", "Boblo Island to get 52-home development", "Oram outlines plans for Boblo Island's condominium project", "Boblo in receivership: Island awash in $19M in red ink", "Boblo adrift in red ink: Receiver KPMG finds no money left", "Boblo rising from the dust: New ownership infuses elite island community with optimism", "Amherstburg reminisces after Boblo Island tower demolished", Boblo Island Dance Hall Story from the Detroit News, "Detroit Free Press: Former Boblo Island music machine may draw up to $2.5 million at auction", "Boblo Island then and now: See historic photos and amusement park remains", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat", Southwestern Ontario Digital Archive: Boblo Island (Ontario), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boblo_Island_Amusement_Park&oldid=1114994535, Tourist attractions in Essex County, Ontario, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 October 2022, at 09:00. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. What did you do? Thank you again!! We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. 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. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. Hundreds of small amusement parks went out in 1980s as families all went to super amusement parks like Cedar Point and Six Flags and did not visit small ones often. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. 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. -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! The men's entrance is to the left. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. 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. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. 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. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. He was 20 years older than me. The control room area through broken glass. Im glad you made this comment. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. [2], Though it was not looking for a buyer, the Michigan AAA sold Boblo Island in 1988 to the International Broadcasting Corporation, a Minneapolis-based concern that owned the Harlem Globetrotters and Ice Capades. 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 old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. (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. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. 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). The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. 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 Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. - LJ. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. steeped in history is open for business. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. 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 steamers, the Ste. [9] The loss of the Detroit ferry service dented attendance severely in the 1992 season, which along with poor weather caused the park to miss its attendance goal. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. Sad that it no longer exists. - Sally. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. Really sad. My husband is from And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. It was awesome place. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. It is boarded up but . I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. 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). 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. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. I am only 12. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. When Ste. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria. Its sister. 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). http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. I can forward them to you if you would like. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Though not all is lost. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. You can find the Boblo Island Beach House restaurant on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina Also the Boblo Island Marina: https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina You may be able to get the information you need by writing to: BOBLOMARINA@BOBLO.CA You may want to mention youre coming from the States; I dont know the protocol for private boats crossing the international border in the river to dock. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships - the oldest in America - awaken from a deep slumber to find a devoted team of enthusiasts have set out to rescue them from their deteriorating state. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. Anyone . Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. Which theme park has the most deaths? 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. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. 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. 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. One to pick up, and one to return people. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. The homes come with all appliances. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. We dont save anything for history any more. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. The place just went completely downhill. [2] There are no hotels. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. Neither will my grandchildren. He's been with WDIV since 2013. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans owns the deteriorating dock, which once served as a gateway for ferry passengers heading to the former Boblo Island amusement park. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. 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. It was the site of a conflict in 1838 during the Upper Canadian Rebellion, where 50 attackers were locked in one of the three blockhouses that had been built on the island. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. 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. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. 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. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. The definitive history of Bob-lo Island, a Canadian amusement park in the mouth of the Detroit River and a favorite recreation spot for generations of Detroit-area residents. With all the history on that island, I dont get it why it was left to die. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Each held about 2,500 passengers. It had e. 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 lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. 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