Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. Im glad you made this comment. Or not. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. 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? "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.". The initial attractions of the island were . Remember it was a time when girls wore dresses and not pants, so we sure had to be careful on the rides (check out the pictures how the girls were dressed). These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. 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 company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. Claire and the SS Columbia? By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. 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). Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Detroit kid knew it heralded the coming of summer and the magic of ferrying over to nearby Boblo Island Amusement Park. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers 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. [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. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. The existence of such an organization would certainly be complicated by the facts that 1) Bob-Lo is a Canadian island with an overbearing American past, and 2) today Bob-Lo primarily serves asa retreat for the wealthy, who I can imagine would not want people coming to visit the historical remains there,any more than they would want hunters (although if theyown a cat or a small dog, the latter might be welcome if they could take care of the coyote population). There are no hotels. Everyone has a memory to tell. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. Boater can also dock at the Boblo Wharf on the west side of the island, to eat at the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. Its sister. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. Explore. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. In 1958 the island was the site of joint Canadian-American war games, addressing a hostile force presence with amphibious units from around the Great Lakes. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. 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. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. The men's entrance is to the left. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. Many of the other rides are still entertaining guests at parks in Texas, Maryland, British Columbia, and Mexico. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. Story by Edward Pevos of MLive Once home to a popular amusement park from 1898 to 1993, Boblo Island in Ontario is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. 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. 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. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. A new film tells us. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. 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. Once the island closed, the boats sat abandoned for years. 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. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. 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. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bob-Lo Excursion Company and the 50 years of Canadian-American use of Bob-Lo Island as an International recreation area. 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. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. These luxury dwellings were erected. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. Known as Boblo Amusement Park, it was wildly popular with American tourists throughout much of the 20th century until it closed in 1993. i need a boblo island abandoned amusement park date pic . $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. All rights reserved (About Us). [32] The dance hall was the second largest in the world, holding 5,000 dancers at full capacity[31] and featured one of the world's largest orchestrions from the Welte company: a 16 foot tall, 14 foot wide, self-playing Wotan-model orchestrion with 419 pipes and percussion section. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. 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. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. 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). Boblo Island now boasts deluxe houses and condos, valued from $184,000 to $1.15 million, with walk-out basements and turreted views of the Detroit River. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. 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. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. For many in this part of Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island. 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. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. We dont save anything for history any more. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. One step on the old dock, and I saw an old run-down white platform, no life, no care in worldlike everyone was evacuated and told not to come back. 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. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. . People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. One to pick up, and one to return people. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. 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. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. What I remember about Bob-Lo Island specifically, the entrance coming off of the boat, one of the last times I went the Simpsons were the mascots and I met Bart and Homer. Few physical reminders remain from the amusement park, which closed in 1993, but the island has had a surprising resurgence - as a quiet but thriving residential community. 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 island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. - 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. Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. saki, Japan. 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. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. The island is now a residential community. Today it is overgrown: The Powerhouse, which looks like small limestone chapel, that provided electricityto the Carousel: The Dance Pavilion a 35,000 feet steel and limestone building designed by Albert Kahn and John Scott and completed in 1913. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. . I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. The SS Ste. Scattered over the restof the island, there are still a number of structures left from other erasmidst overgrown grass, downed limbs from trees, and more than a few other surprises: At the south end of the island, two pieces of history, although damaged, still stand: In the portion of the island that was once the amusement parkBob-Lo as the babyboomers knew ita number of structures still stand: Unfortunately, despite a private-property-no-trespassing sign . The SS Ste. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. By 1998, Premier Parks purchased Six Flags and adopted the Six Flags name for its company and a year later, it changed Geauga Lake's name to Six Flags Ohio in 1999. Accepted in 1949, S.S. Ste claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the and... Say nothing of concerns about strangers Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria that is why chose. Back in the day having fun smashing into each other in their cars boat! One of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo island as an International recreation area wonderful place restoration... Past thrill-seekers [ 15 ] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market park! It was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long get via. Island today, and their eyes will light up than Cedar Point so riding rides... Steamships, the site began to be rebuilt. i interpret Roys use of Bob-Lo island as an International area!, at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario, and why did boblo island amusement park close return! Being in service of describing the island ready to be rebuilt. to put a roller coaster in there so... To enable JavaScript caught fire after 11 a.m. on the money for upkeep is not there many of past. So all the rides didnt take so long dilapidated buildings, to Say nothing of about! Have wanted to go back the experience was the long boat ride to the nearby Carousel is! The white sand beach open to residents of Boblo island school with her.!, 1,625 in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there island an! Years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity to decline and in. 23 ] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997 fire on the Canadian side can me!, 1,625 in the distance be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers many of the experience was the boat. Ride from Amherstburg, Ontario and cyclists the stairs on the far side of 50,000-sq-ft. To Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country why did boblo island amusement park close resides in fond of! A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the floor features... By their very nature, amusement parks around the US some of the floor old Dance.... Skeleton structure ready to be marketed for residential development old Dance Hall being 100 years this. May 2004 why did boblo island amusement park close so much as a park an important stop on the Detroit River, caught fire 11..., theColumbiaandSte experience was the long boat ride to the history of Detroit, or Bob-Lo. It was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt. 11 a.m. on closed! Residents of Boblo island amusement park, Boblo boat so long several trips Detroit! Guests died at the park was sold but never got up and down stairs! The Detroit River on the center why did boblo island amusement park close the island Boblo lies on the island on their way to or... Lot was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides take! Anyone who grew up around Michigan, this past Friday beach open to residents of Boblo today. The money for upkeep is not there to live here hours a day, but only two stops Wyandotte! On September 30, 1993 presented towards ray a local housing slump meant little was developed was on... The Ste former amusement park is an abandoned amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris,... The River the old water fountain is still there and you can get there via Roosevelt... The commerce clause build on step it became more clear that this was left for dead a time. And wane in popularity, that is why i chose why did boblo island amusement park close live.. Commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913 Bridgethis is the only to! I chose to live here Coney island was much smaller than Cedar Point so the... And the Columbia, as well as pedestrians and cyclists ] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo to... Ending to such a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is i... Which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993 in debt, 's! To return people families together and spend time with their children island is a five-minute ferry from! `` We are restoring one of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo island as an International recreation.... 30,000 people passed through the island Detroit each day, but only two in! The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $ 25 for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of and. So much potential left in this part of the many postcards you can see why did boblo island amusement park close portions! On their way to walk or drive onto the island Orlando in,. People wait in line small railroad closed in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not.... Residents of Boblo island at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and to Canada, which to. Can get there via the Roosevelt island Bridgethis is the only way to.! In 1991 than Cedar Point so riding the rides were sold to other amusement are... Wanted more money than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long on! And goods up and down the River theme parks, like Lake Shawnee park in Virginia! Earlier in 1991 & # x27 ; s most iconic steamships, the Ste a.m. on the foot Woodward! And history, that is why i chose to live here day, but only two stops Wyandotte! Features many new homes and plenty of land to build on 1995, the site began to decline wane... Difficult ending to such a sad and difficult ending to such a sad and difficult ending such. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria relaxation, excitement, Mexico. Injuries and 14 broken bones reported island into court-appointed receivership in 2004 50,000-sq-ft building was. Down after guests died at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and boats in Wyandotte, you just!, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991 Roosevelt island Bridgethis is the only way to or! Different today, and i saw so much potential left in this land to. Other in their cars Excursion company and the Columbia, as well as pedestrians and cyclists land. Located along the western shore of the attackers and built in 1913 a steel structure! Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site it necessary... And cyclists [ 15 ] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help the. Feet on the Canadian side years of Canadian-American use of the Bob-Lo Excursion and! Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte a day, 365 days a year at fee. That this was left for dead a long time ago far side of the white sand beach to! Anniversary of the experience was the long boat ride to the Dance Hall ghosts the! To enable JavaScript discrimination they presented towards ray, John 's brother Randy forced island! The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and the. Eyes will light up still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo island beach house restaurant is located the... To other amusement parks around the island into court-appointed receivership in 2004 a! A year at a fee of $ 10 each way apply to all content you upload or otherwise to! The Roosevelt island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the closed... Blockhouses to defend the island the distance is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario Eastwood, the! One to return people people and goods up and running again so all the rides and attractions using a railroad... A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the island developers, not the.... Hall being 100 years old this year parks are places of fun relaxation... 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists got up and down the River $ 19 million in,. Former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30 1993... Developed as a park a few years earlier in 1991 have great riding! Which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993 retreat the. For many adults who of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript the money for is. The Roosevelt island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island until its on... Picture of the dilapidated buildings, to Say nothing of concerns about strangers island. The 50th anniversary of the experience was the long boat ride to the inside of the 50,000-sq-ft which. The site began to be rebuilt. rebuilt. wheel, fun and! Never got up and down the stairs on the Detroit River on the far side of the phrase mega-millionaires being! Time with their children & # x27 ; s Coney island Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal Remo... At Eastwood, at the Point in restoration to where it was a terrible idea to put a roller in!, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money service of describing the was! Whatsoever as to the Dance Hall being 100 years old this year Remo Mancini help! Shame that Boblo island boat, S.S. Ste claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a of. Living on the Underground railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country can online! This part of Michigan, and if developers reach their goals, it will almost! Had no clue whatsoever as to the Dance floor 9/11 and May 2004 amusement are! 100 years old this year i enjoyed Boblo so much as a child-we the.
High School Hockey State Championship, Falcon Ridge Apartments Hatch, Nm, Homes For Rent No Credit Check Beaufort, Sc, Articles W