Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. I agree with Maureen. Review. The Ste. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. 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 place is oozing history. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. "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.". 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. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. 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. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. Rochester Hills mom testifies about 2 . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. The name of the island was changed to Boblo in 1929 when visitors had problems correctly pronouncing the original French name. (LogOut/ I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. Please dont judge us without knowing us! Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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 ship in mid-swing. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. 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.. [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. People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. Answer: 90% of the time, it's because the parks don't have enough money and/or business to keep up with running costs, and the parks simply close and are left to rot. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. 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. Claire and the SS Columbia? There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. 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. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. 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. 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. 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. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. 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. Bois Blanc Island, French for White Woods Island, was named on account of its numerous white-barked birch and beech trees, and is today commonly known as Boblo Island, an English corruption of the original name. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. The Park which eventually became Boblo Amusement Park got its first ride, the 178 48-animal Mangels-Illions Carousel. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. So sad. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. 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. "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers Really sad. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. . [7] Though one expert felt that Boblo was too big to fail outright and could be turned around,[8] By June, however, no firm offers had been made for the park. 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. 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 . He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. - LJ. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. Change). A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. He's been with WDIV since 2013. About Boblo Island: how much was bitcoin in 2010. pets4homes boost advert 9, Juin, 2022. smugglers inn steak soup recipe; Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. Boblo Island was very special. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. An incident in 1902 caused a man-made mini earthquake on the island. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. Hundreds of small amusement parks went out in 1980s as families all went to super amusement parks like Cedar Point and Six Flags and did not visit small ones often. Barb's Boblo Tavern. You know what I think, I have never been over there. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. It disappeared for the same reasons like Marineland of the Pacific, and the park in Long Beach. Other islands Ivevisited have their own historical societies or have joined with other nearby islands to form a historical society: Johnson Island Preservation Society, Lake Erie Islands Historical Society, St. Clair Flats Historical Society, Beaver Island Historical Society, the Grosse Ile Historical Society, and Friends of Bell Isle (now a part ofthe newBelle Isle Conservancy). I dont think it is sad at all! Neither will my grandchildren. 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. As I have written to the owner of the company that bought the island: You have no idea how much Boblo Island Amusement Park was to our society. 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. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. Call (519) 979-9949 to reach your Amherstburg real estate team, Team Goran of RE/MAX CARE Realty. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. Kathi. A tri-plex home. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. 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). We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. 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. why did boblo island close; william monroe high school why did boblo island close. View TODAY's New Listings by beds, baths, lot size, listing status, days on market, & more! 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. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. All rights reserved (About Us). (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. Nessel calls on DTE, Consumers to issue automatic power outage credits after storm. It was like a little cruise. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. If it wasnt for him to have done that for everyone, our world would never have known how peaceful, relaxing, fun, and most of all memorable a park could be. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). [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. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. In the ride's final incarnation, the train itself was a scale recreation of Central Pacific Railroad's 19 th century C.P. Claire, built in 1910. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. (LogOut/ - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. Thank you again for the information. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. 272 acres. And a Fairyland park on the ocean in OR, etc. 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. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. Well, it went out of business a long time ago, but we found a few videos of what it looks like today -- check them out here. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. Boblo Island is accessible by a 16-car ferry that departs from the dock next to the Bob-Lo Island Discovery Centre, which is at 340 Dalhousie St., Amherstburg, ON. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. All rights reserved (About Us). I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. Claire provided . What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. You do it for other people. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. Built in the early 1900s, the SS Columbia and SS Ste. 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 island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. Opened in 1898, Boblo Island was one of North America's. It was on a small island in the Detroit River at the mouth of Lake Erie. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Why did Boblo Island shut down? We also traveled from. Parts of that tower still stand. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. He wore a variety of colorful clothing, including a large hat with 'Captain Bob Lo' on the peak, and was typically equipped with binoculars for navigation purposes.