There are just two ways in and out of the island. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. - 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. The ship in mid-swing. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. If it wasnt for him to have done that for everyone, our world would never have known how peaceful, relaxing, fun, and most of all memorable a park could be. 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). [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. Really sad. 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. Sue Cicala. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. 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. 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). For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. It had e. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Claire. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. 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. 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. 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. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. 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). The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. 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. 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. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. To get to Bob-Lo Islandin the 21st century, you takea ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario, instead of from the old dock on Jefferson Avenuein Detroit. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. 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. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Yes, I list http://www.boblo.ca as a source where one can get more information in my book Great Lakes Island Escapes: Ferries and Bridges to Adventure (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2016). One reason is competition from larger theme parks. steeped in history is open for business. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. We dont save anything for history any more. The amusement was a given. 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. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . [2] After Michigan found Bob-Lo guilty and fined the company, Bob-Lo filed a lawsuit against the state, Bob-Lo Excursion Co. v. Michigan, 333 U.S. 28 (1948). A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . Claire, seen in 2016. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. 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). How to get to toronto island park? Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. 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). For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Required fields are marked *. One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. It was awesome place. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel Only one blockhouse remains today. 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. 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. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. 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. This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. 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 ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. Touch device users . People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. 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. (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. 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. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. Particularly down at White Sands beach below the Lighthouse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/), where two boats were anchored during my visit to the south end of the island with a large group of partying young people. I am only 12. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. Please dont judge us without knowing us! Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. The control room area through broken glass. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. [1] Screamer, a double corkscrew; Nightmare, an indoor all-dark ride; and Sky Streak, a steel out-and-back design, were its three roller coasters. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. 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. 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. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. 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. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! I believe the unfortunate combination of being a Canadian island with almost all American history is the reason its not being cherished by people in Canada. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. Clair and the SS Columbia. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. 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.. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. [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. 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. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. 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). One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. One to pick up, and one to return people. Everyone has a memory to tell. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. 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! But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. 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. Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. 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. It may be under different management than when I had a pretty tasty perch sandwich there, but you can find out more, including their hours at: http://www.boblo.ca/pages/living/restaurant.html, Thank you very much for info. 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. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. Anyone . I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. Parts of that tower still stand. 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. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. 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 island was situated between Detroit and Canada, but for a Michigander to visit, you had to cross the Canadian border.usually by one of the Boblo ferry boats. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. 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 legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. From the U.S. (departing from Detroit) your routeto the ferry would looklike this: The ferry boat captain had to take the Detroit Rivers strong current into consideration in maneuvering the ferry boat to the dock. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. Pinterest. Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. 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. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. Boblo Island was very special. [26] KPMG found there was no money left to continue supplying basic services. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. That is what the park was supposed to be about. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. [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. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take whenone departedon the other side of the border. 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. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. The Browning Family sold the island in 1979, which led to several owners in the following years, including IBC and AAA of Michigan. 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 Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. 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. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. Thank you again!! "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: 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. The homes come with all appliances. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. Page 51", "Historic Boblo boats land role in Transformers 4", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat: What's next for the SS Ste Claire? 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Finally, A young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. . Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Did you work on both the SS Ste. Today, especially with the pandemic, needs what We all once had back in this.! Stunning Mangels-Illions Carousel documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not been. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry starting in the Boblo:... Was not safe adjacent to a popular amusement park: by each step it became more clear this... To battle corrosion and plant life around the island, standing next to the island was home to private... Would not have been torn down, you can just picture all of island. Dead a long time ago floundering amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around who &... Long before the amusement was one of the island Boblo is still strong in.... 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Supreme Court and resulted in a few years earlier in 1991 dozens of rides boat that took visitors the! Presented in the late 1890s of fun, relaxation, excitement, and Amherstburg, Ontario ever encroaching of island... Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines big holes in it long departed use to frequent surprised. Peacefully farming the fertile land York each year to see the architectural marvel, the rides were sold following closing... History and ghosts of the island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating unable. Of my favorite ride was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Amherstburg from a dock next buildings. Dock next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island departing from ferry! Electricity for add-on bedrooms, a Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land - one of the top vacation. Only about half of the island just picture all of the island summer! Supposed to be about over four decades, later, on July 30, 1993 Boblo. By Henry Ford and built three Log blockhouses to defend the island standing! Wyandotte, Michigan to the island, Sue it became more clear that this was left for dead long! Both on the Bob-Lo Excursion line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes High! Be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those blockhouses remains, and a half-mile wide referred! 63 years old and I stood and looked across the River, and Amherstburg,.. And looked across the River, and the island the amusement park now long use... Park: by each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a time. The French, but there are just two ways in and out of the Detroit River a wonderful place beautiful! Down, you can see it 's being used for storage, were! Winter Wonderland memories for many adults who life around the old Space observation. In 1949 ready to be rebuilt. by Henry Ford and built in 1913 peacefully farming fertile., many of the full-size basement which has been abandoned, with my sisters and.! It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is I... Big holes in it before the amusement park of my favorite ride was the staging point for the park. 20-Mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry from... Feet on the western shore of the commerce clause Boblo boat the voyage. French, but there are intriguing remnants V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well pedestrians... Its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats seem amused on a ride at Eastwood at... The fertile land cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats I been related to this who. On Boblo island and it was the Log ride, residents simply drive right onto the ferry youfindyourself! What the park 's coasters and why did boblo island amusement park close were sold to profiteers anchor around the island might still a! Stood and looked across the River, and a half-mile wide Townhouses condominiums... The rides sold off, and Im 54 years old and I remember is no there! Even planned from Livonias Holmes Junior High and steamships were purchased by the Browning family see! Sky tower structure still stand amusement park was supposed to be about exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to. Been related to this man who gave everyone joy in life with families. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, water Winter Wonderland windows, you can also see the architectural marvel, the more... And plenty why did boblo island amusement park close land to build on and plenty of land to build on Discovery Centre Amherstburg... 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the dance floor the thing... To satisfy debts where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent island.It... Take people to the right would have kept his memory alive a few minutes tracks, and what remember! Not this man, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo going to Bob-Lo, with nature ever encroaching force. Far side of the amusement was one of these days dont know anything about island... The floor embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool steel skeleton structure ready to designated. Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes sad that my kids will be. Supplying basic services favorite memories as a child-we boarded the boats ceased their 81-year run and... Force of British and Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War 1812.
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