[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. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. [26] KPMG found there was no money left to continue supplying basic services. Your email address will not be published. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. 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. Today. In this respect, today, Bob-Lo Island appears a bead broken off from the strand, adrift in more than just the Detroi River, its historic integrity drowned in the current of a sequence of ill-fated development schemes. To rebuild would be one of lifes pleasures. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. [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. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. Yes, I list http://www.boblo.ca as a source where one can get more information in my book Great Lakes Island Escapes: Ferries and Bridges to Adventure (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2016). [17], In March 1994, the rides were dismantled and sold off piecemeal to the Pacific National Exhibition and a series of U.S. theme parks, a moment that confirmed the "worst fears" of Malden Township officials; the amusement park paid 25 percent of its taxes. http://boblo.ca/. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. About Boblo Island: I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. Touch device users . Suddenly, without any warning, there was a relatively large mammal in the middle of the trail, directly in the line of my front bike tire. For many in this part of Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island. 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). The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. The folks from the residential areas use golf carts toget to the community pool in the center of the island, just a stones throw from the almost hundred-year-old, still standing Dance Pavilion: And here is where things get interesting. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. 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. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. Located at the mouth of the Detroit River, which . I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. Following the war, British forces garrisoned at Fort Malden in Amherstburg, across the river from Bois Blanc, and strengthened their position by building three blockhouses on the island. 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. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. 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). Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. You do it for other people. - Bonnie, Oh! A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock 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 little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). [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. One to pick up, and one to return people. 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. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. The scion of one of Seattle's wealthiest and most philanthropic families, Benaroya was bankrolling Moodenbaugh's dream to resurrect the Boblo Island Amusement Park near Detroit. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. Really sad. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. Unfortunately, my search came up empty. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. 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. . From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. There are no hotels. Claire and the SS Columbia? People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. They are located next to the Dance Hall. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. Only one blockhouse remains today. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. So sad. It had e. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was open for nearly 100 years. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. [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. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. The Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. 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. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. The SS Ste. . Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. All Rights Reserved. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. 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. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. 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! The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. Beginning in 1952, Joe Short, a man of diminutive physical stature, was employed as 'Captain Boblo', and traveled on the boats entertaining passengers of all ages. 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. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. 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. 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). what a fun and exciting place. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. 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. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. Explore. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. 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. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. There are just two ways in and out of the island. Sad that it no longer exists. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. DETROITAny Michigander of a certain vintage won't forget their giddiness en route to Boblo Island amusement park, a carefree ferry ride from Detroit's metropolis to a land that seemed a world away. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. He's been with WDIV since 2013. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? 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. Required fields are marked *. You can also visit Boblo.ca. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. 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. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. 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. Neither will my grandchildren. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. When Ste. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. Since the amusement park's closure, Boblo Island has been renovated for luxury homes. . "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. Claire. Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Thank you again for the information. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. The men's entrance is to the left. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. 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. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. 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. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. That is what the park was supposed to be about. The SS Ste. We also traveled. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. 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. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. Its sister. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. Can you go over to the island any time? I agree with Maureen. 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. Since 1989, Kevin has collected miniature amusement park rides, and built a loose replica of Boblo Island in his home. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. 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. 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