Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. Only one blockhouse remains today. 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. 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. 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. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. 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. Building the lighthouse on the island instead of the shoal presented several advantages: a shorter tower could be used due to the . Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. The Columbia's ship keeper, Sam Buchanan, said the St. Clair has "a prominent role" in. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. I dont think it is sad at all! Edit: I hope it's just a tracker issue but it seemed to be working fine. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/grosse-iles-sugar-island-beach-opens-to-public-saturday/ (Sorry, you may need to copy and paste the website addresses above; my link feature is not successfully linking at the moment. 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 loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. (LogOut/ 559 gold coast 777777 w why did boblo island close; william monroe high school why did boblo island close. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. All Rights Reserved. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. It was great to see all the vintage photos and stories from the good old days of classic boating when wooden boats were the norm, not the exception. Opened in 1898, Boblo Island was one of North America's. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. . The Detroit-Wayne County Port Authority found a way to end a 100-year agreement that gave the Moroun-owned Ambassador Port Co. sweeping control, but questions remain about the speed at which the deal gained approval of the public authority's board, transparency about the deal and what it means for the port going forward. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. Although I had $8.00 in Canadian currency in hand to pay the ferry toll, I rode the ferry without being charged and with no questions asked. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. He was 20 years older than me. Many of the other rides are still entertaining guests at parks in Texas, Maryland, British Columbia, and Mexico. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. There are just two ways in and out of the island. Change). St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. Although Boblo Island Beach House is pretty good. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. Check out the tracker on the SE side of Boblo! The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. 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. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - 585. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. You can visit the island now, as I did in July of 2011 (all the photos accompanying the blog posting above were taken on that visit), by taking a small car ferry across a narrow strip of the Detroit River from the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad 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. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. Boblo Boats Documentary Hitting Select Theatres in Detroit This Fall [VIDEO], Metallicas 72 Seasons Global Premiere Where You Can Watch in Michigan, Detroit Chef Named Chopped Champ Donates $10K Prize, Tri-County Ninja & Collectibles in Fenton Approved for Liquor License, Compete in Cedar Point Trivia from the Comfort of Your Michigan Home, Michigan Has Enforced the Death Penalty a Remarkably Low Number of Times, Celebrate 21 Years Of The Machine Shop In March, 13 Suggestions to Fill Flints Empty Sears in Genesee Valley Mall. The ferrys were known as "Bob-Lo Boats" and held about 2,500 passengers each. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. In 1991, the two Boblo boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, MI., to the island, as well as to and from Amherstburg, Ontario. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on. When I was riding my bike on a trail that runs through the middle of the island, I came upon a T-intersection buried amidst tall, tall grass, with the Carousel Building on my left and the Powerhouse on my right. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. The railroad began operating on the island in 1956. It's docked in New York. 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 is sad, Cheryl. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Kathi. the building is not secure, given that one-quarter of a large window in the front is broken in, metal strips hanging from its frame. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. Claire, built in 1910. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. airbnb sarasota downtown; payday 2 infinite equipment mod; conduct unbecoming a police officer examples; randomforestclassifier' object has no attribute estimators_ Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. About Boblo Island: You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. 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. [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. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. In a sentence, I think, the world around POP changed. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. 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. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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.. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. Boblo Island was very special. The bike rental shop was closed, but you can check your weight for free. Although the name will seem new to most of us, it's actually the original historic name of the island that was home to the historic . For those who lived it firsthand, though, Boblo Island was an accessible and affordable paradise right in Detroit's backyard. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. wayne hills high school marching band; code postal ariana borj louzir; homes for sale on cary drive auburn, al You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. 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. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. In fact, one of those . [3] The company had claimed it could exclude her because it was a private concern operating in another country and that neither Michigan nor any other state had authority to regulate commerce with Canada (a foreign country); the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Michigan Supreme Court, which had upheld the jurisdiction of the state's anti-discrimination provisions and found against the company. Save. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. It blew up, shaking the island and sending rocks flying. The 375-foot Sky Tower, rusting and visible from the Powerhouse and most of the island, as well as from other locations on the river like Grosse Ile: And a few other buildings, like the open one that may have housed the dodgem cars built in 1928, and another with more shattered windows, the Souvenir building. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. Second case of COVID-19 confirmed in Windsor-Essex City of Windsor declares state of emergency, Devonshire and Tecumseh malls to close Boblo Island residential development plan moving forward. The Sky Streak Ride, for example, was moved to Selva Magica, a theme park in Mexico, and the Nightmare was initially moved to Six Flags Houston where it was known as the Mayan Mindbender, only to be moved once again to a theme park in Amarillo, Texas. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. The island is now a residential community. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who spent summers riding the ferry to Boblo Island, visiting its amusement park or just enjoying a picnic. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. Why did Boblo Island close? The Bob-Lo boats, once looked upon as part of the attraction of going on a trip to Bob-Lo were later being looked at as time wasted that could have been spent at the park. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. Claire provided . 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. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. 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. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. Bois Blanc Island, Pointe Aux Pins, MI 49775 +1 231-634-7100 + Add website + Add hours. 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 16mm film is from around 1960. As a child I went to Bob-Lo Island every summer from the Detroit Side of the island. I vaguely remember going to Boblo Island Amusement Park as a kid and recently found myself wondering what happened to the place.