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. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. 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. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. 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. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. - 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. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Which may not be surprising, given that its been many thingscamp for European explorers, fortress, picnic spot, dance venue, amusement park, retreatto many people over the centuries beginning with four Algonquin and Iroquoian tribes:the Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Wyandot (Huron)one source claims the original name of the island was Etiowiteedannenti, a name bestowed by the Wyandotand followed by: The first recorded passage to the island, which was named Bois Blanc (White Woods), by the French dates from 1670. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. 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. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. The place is oozing history. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. The 24-year-old Black woman boarded the SS Columbia en route for Boblo Island a Canadian amusement park beloved by Detroiters. 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. Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. . Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. To rebuild would be one of lifes pleasures. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. 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 park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. [2] . Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. Cedar Point, which has world-famous roller coasters and a wider range of attractions, is close enough to the Detroit area for a day trip (for the very hardy). Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. [20] Oram then leased and shut down the White Sands boater's hangout adjacent to the park site, citing trespassers but infuriating boaters; as a result, the lease was dropped within weeks. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. By 1910 the first amusement park rides, the carousel, ponies and a dancing pavillion were available. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. The Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. 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 A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. Claire, seen in 2016. The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Though not all is lost. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. 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). About Boblo Island: Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. . [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. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. Or not. The sociology of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 The sociology of unemployment is an analysis of the experience and governance of unemployment. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. 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. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. Why is it called Boblo Island? steeped in history is open for business. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. You can take a tour of the model homes on Boblo Island on Saturdays and Sundays with an island specialist by calling 519-736-1111. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. [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 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). At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved. All Rights Reserved. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). Finally, A young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. You will find even more information in: Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, by Patrick Livingstone (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008); Bob-Lo: An Island in Troubled Waters, by Annessa Carlisle (Royal Oak, MI: Momentum Books, 2005); and for more photographs, Bob-Lo Revisited, by Bill Rauhausuer (Chicago: Lorentz, 2003). 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. Did you work on both the SS Ste. Today. That is what the park was supposed to be about. It is slated to include a luxury hotel, international shops & restaurants, a 107-berth boat dock, and a pier large enough to accommodate lake cruise ships along with The S.S. . The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. . Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. The tiny island is located in the middle of the East River, parallel to Manhattan's East 46th to 85th Streets. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. 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. 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. Parts of that tower still stand. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. . [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. [11] Roger Fachini, a 40-year-old engineer for General Dynamics and owner of a waterpark in Utica, Michigan, placed the winning $3.8 million bid and proposed redevelopment after two years,[12][13] but Boblo's creditors turned it down; after the deposit cheque bounced, they took $600,000 less in the bid from Enchanted Parks of Seattle, owners of the Wild Waves Theme Park near that city. There are two total bedrooms in this home. Claire. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. A private community is now being built on the island. It had e. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. Required fields are marked *. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. 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). 10. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. Im glad you made this comment. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. By 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). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. He was 20 years older than me. The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. The abandoned amusement park was a p. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. One of the oldest structures on the island was vandalized in 1954, with vandals setting fire to the top of the 1837 lighthouse, destroying the upper structure. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. To the north of the road leading from the ferry dock is a subdivision ofmini-mansions and duplexes, with an emphasis on stone and heavy on Victorian-style turrets. Even the words scrawled across its portal announced simply "Eastwood Park.". Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. 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. when was the last day of this park operated (i mean the last summur )when it was open for public for the last and until what day was the ferry or the steamer making trip, and can you visit it now. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the eye. With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. 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