On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. 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. An old silent family home movie of a trip to Boblo Island Amusement Park, no longer existing. At the end of the turbulent 75 minutes, Boblo Boats brings us up-to-date on restoration efforts for both ferries while simultaneously summoning an unanticipated moral force. 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. Boblo Island: A History Of The Abandoned Amusement Park Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. I mean Harbour House is nice, but would be nice to have a better view of the water (other than the marina) where you can watch the big ships go by. The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. (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. 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. what a fun and exciting place. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. Bois Blanc Island, Pointe Aux Pins, MI 49775 +1 231-634-7100 + Add website + Add hours. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. Bois Blanc (Boblo) Island, ON - LighthouseFriends What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. The name of the island was changed to Boblo in 1929 when visitors had problems correctly pronouncing the original French name. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. I remember the log ride, where we''d all get wet but would soon dry out running about, the carousel, and of course the roller coaster. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. 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. The bike rental shop was closed, but you can check your weight for free. 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. We also traveled from. What were the names of the two Boblo boats? - AnswersAll why did boblo island close - academiacardiovascular.com washington county, maine death records 0. why did boblo island close. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you . Restoration of the Ste Claire had been going on for a few years. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. Please dont judge us without knowing us! 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 . Each held about 2,500 passengers. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. 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. 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. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. [26] KPMG found there was no money left to continue supplying basic services. why did boblo island close - wanderingbakya.com [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. . The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. [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. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. . And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. 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. Footage Of Detroit's Edgewater Park Will Take You Back In Time A tri-plex home. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. Id built up this image of perfectly cut green grass, flowers, water slides and party halls, but what I saw when I stepped onto the old white dock was far from the oasis I was told about. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. Ray was removed from the boat because she was not white, enforced according to a Bob-Lo company policy "excluding so-called 'zoot-suiters', the rowdyish, the rough, and the boisterous, and it also adopted the policy of excluding colored. The price is a little over $300k. 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). After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. 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 . What Happened to Boblo Island Amusement Park Near Detroit? - Banana 101.5 Officially, Bob-Lo Island is now billed as a Marina Resort Community, but Bob-Lo currently exhibits the most profound split personality of any islandperhaps any placeIve ever been. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. 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. Boblo Island Homes For Sale Amherstburg - Boblo Island Real Estate This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. Find the best offers for your search boblo island. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. Update: A couple of them were partially restored and used during the filming ofTransformers 4. In June 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray and 12 other female workers involved in the war effort (and referred to as "girls" during the legal proceedings) took part in a sponsored trip to Boblo Island. Boblo officially closed in 1993. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. Unfortunately, my search came up empty. 2,000. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. Ex-MSU dean sues interim president for leading alleged plot to remove him. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. Why did Boblo Island amusement park close its doors? - Quora Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. Claire, seen in 2016. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. why did boblo island closeconservation international ceo. 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). Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It is a story told in a new movie that premiered last week in Detroit called "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale". Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. The best time was 8 hours and 42 minutes turned in by 17-year old Dorothy de Caussin and 15-year old Ida Mutnick, both of Detroit. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. Building the lighthouse on the island instead of the shoal presented several advantages: a shorter tower could be used due to the . The Boblo Boats, then and now - The Detroit News Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. Between my concerns for the submerged rocks of the river and the mortar of history I was climbing over, I thought, what a wonderful place this island would be to explore if you were a kid or teenager and what a nightmare it poses for parents or grandparents of those explorers! The island is about 2.5 miles long, 0.5 mile wide and 272 acres in size. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. 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. Rochester Hills mom testifies about 2 . 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. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON | YellowPages.ca 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. I dont think it is sad at all! British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend 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. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. Claire provided . Boblo Island in Amherstburg ready for business | CTV News 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. Bob-Lo Island | Detroit Historical Society It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. 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. 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 Boblo Island Detroit dock building can be seen on the Detroit, Michigan side of the Detroit River. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. The Detroit river is very short - it merely connects Lake Huron with Lake Erie. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. Whatever happened to Boblo Island? (Detroit, Grosse Ile: amusement [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. In a sentence, I think, the world around POP changed. With all the history on that island, I dont get it why it was left to die. ), Thank you so much for the great information. [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). He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. Review. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. 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. But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. It had e. They are located next to the Dance Hall. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. Unclaimed. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. The once site of the infamous amusement park has been renamed erasing one of the last remnants of days gone by. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Did you work on both the SS Ste. 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. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). Why did Boblo Island shut down? [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrews Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. 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. We visited Boblo Island 23 years after its amusement park closed - mlive In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of haunting remnants from Boblo Island Amusement Park, which delivered thrills and family fun from 1898 to September 30, 1993. CEC: Closed Canadian Parks - Boblo Island Park - Chebucto If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. For First Time in 124 Yrs, There is No Such Place as Boblo Island 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. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. steeped in history is open for business. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". St. 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). RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - 585. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. 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. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. caliyah mcnabb photos; singapore new first class; grilled chicken with marinated tomatoes and onions; common entry level jobs for aerospace engineering; sims 4 reshade presets 2021; why did boblo island close. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. The Last Day Of "Oldies Week" - We Dedicate Today's Story To Russell A The Columbia's ship keeper, Sam Buchanan, said the St. Clair has "a prominent role" in. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. Here are some we found on various blogs and forums: I was one of the last generations of people who were able to enjoy Bob-Lo island amusement park. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! 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! It was on a small island in the Detroit River at the mouth of Lake Erie. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. 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. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. mike smithson tutor perini; ford f 350 ignition switch replacement. The name 'Boblo' came back recently after a massive fire destroyed an iconic ferry that used to take people to and from the now closed island amusement park. Clair and the SS Columbia. So sad. [14], The 1993 season proved bumpy and was marred by miscues including disputes with island residents and the Canadian Coast Guard, compounded by the leader of Enchanted Parks, Michael Moodenbaugh, being seriously injured and breaking his spine in a car accident in Toledo, Ohio, in September. Boblo Island is an Island in the Detroit River located directly west of Amherstburg, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the border. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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.. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. The operations ended in 1993. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. 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. Over the years, the crowds going to Bob-Lo on the boat would were increasingly loud and rude and some people avoided going to Bob-Lo to avoid the noise. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. Posted . For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. View TODAY's New Listings by beds, baths, lot size, listing status, days on market, & more! This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. Locate and compare 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. Over the roughly two-and-a-half decades that have passed since the closure, many of the most telltale signs of the park have faded away, including the ultra spooky-looking ferry boats that used to. why did boblo island close Menu fatal shooting in los angeles today. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . http://boblo.ca/. This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. Only one blockhouse remains today. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. - 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.