For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. Why did Boblo Island shut down? Beginning in 1952, Joe Short, a man of diminutive physical stature, was employed as 'Captain Boblo', and traveled on the boats entertaining passengers of all ages. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. 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. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. 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). A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. The homes come with all appliances. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. Thank you again for the information. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. You can also visit Boblo.ca. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. The Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. 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. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. . This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. The island is now a residential community. 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. 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. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. 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. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". All Rights Reserved. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. The island has quite an interesting history. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. It was awesome place. I can forward them to you if you would like. 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. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. . The island is owned nearly in its entirety by Windsor developer Dominic Amicone through his Bob-Lo Island development company. 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. Your email address will not be published. Claire, seen in 2016. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. 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. Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. "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.". Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. 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 This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. 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. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? 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. saki, Japan. The SS Ste. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. ", "Small fire breaks out on SS Ste. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. 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. 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. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. 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 lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. 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. 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. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. 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. 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. 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. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. More than a century later, in the 1920s, the amusement park opened on the sitethen closed in 1966 after the accidental deaths of two young patrons, including one on the spooky circular swing. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Neither will my grandchildren. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. 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. 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. One to pick up, and one to return people. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. How to live on Boblo Island: . The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Sue Cicala. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. Only about a third of a milea 5 to 10-minute walk, depending on your speedfrom the ferry dock on the west side of the island, east on Bob-Lo Island Boulevard, to the marina on the other side of the narrow island. Parts of that tower still stand. 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! 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. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. 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 children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. The ferry is run for the island residents, their guests, and prospective buyers of lots in the Triamico Development Affiliates marina resort community. However, there is a public restaurant, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House, on the west side of the island by the marina (ferry docks at the east side). http://boblo.ca/. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. Im glad you made this comment. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. How to get to Boblo Island: Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. They are located next to the Dance Hall. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. I do hope that someone will come along and restore the park back to its prime, so we can get families and the community back together again, and we can share our memories with the generations to come. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/17/historic-boblo-island-blo_n_1098807.html, http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/, http://www.boblo.ca/pages/living/restaurant.html, https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina, http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit, http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development, http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/grosse-iles-sugar-island-beach-opens-to-public-saturday/, Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant Houzz Home, Slaves (traveling the Underground Railroad), The south blockhouse, built in 1838 (Update: See. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. 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. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? So sad. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. . It opened in 1898 as Boblo Island Amusement Park on Bois Blanc Island (not the Bois Blanc up near Mackinac Island, but the one on the Detroit River). 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. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". 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. I agree with Maureen. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. 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.. Why is it called Boblo Island? It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. The ship in mid-swing. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. Unfortunately, my search came up empty. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. 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