0 Comments Comments [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. why did boblo island close. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. There are no hotels. Check out the tracker on the SE side of Boblo! Hard to believe, but for the first time in 124 years, there is no such place as Boblo Island. - 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. 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.. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. For 81 years, she ferried generations of families as they experienced a Windsor-Detroit right of passage: an island getaway to the beloved Boblo Island amusement park. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. It was on a small island in the Detroit River at the mouth of Lake Erie. If the boat looks familiar, it is not your imagination. 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. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. 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. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. http://boblo.ca/. Nessel calls on DTE, Consumers to issue automatic power outage credits after storm. 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. As one can use motor vehicles only in the northern residential tip of the island, if you plan to explore the island, you may want to bring a bike with you. 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. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. Boblo Island was very special. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. 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). It was awesome place. Opened in 1898, Boblo Island was one of North America's. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. It blew up, shaking the island and sending rocks flying. 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. Author: Michael R Stoller Jr CC BY-ND 2.0 Though not all is lost. 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. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. [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. 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. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. I worked on the Boats in 1980. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. washington county, maine death records 0. why did boblo island close. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. why did boblo island closeconservation international ceo. I vaguely remember going to Boblo Island Amusement Park as a kid and recently found myself wondering what happened to the place. Why did Boblo Island close? [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration, Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, A glass blower puts on a demonstration in the craftsmen's area - 1970s, A child takes a spin on a ride at Boblo Island - 1970s. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. mike smithson tutor perini; ford f 350 ignition switch replacement. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. The ship in mid-swing. 'Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale' is a new documentary, created by Aaron Shillinger, that tell the tale of Dr. Ron Kattoo, who is on a mission to restore the SS. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. 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 . How to get to Boblo Island: Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. 6 reviews #1 of 2 Restaurants in Pointe Aux Pins American Pub. 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. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. independence high school football; fadi sattouf vivant; what animal is like a flying squirrel; james justin injury news; cynthia davis obituary cooley high; throggs neck st patrick's parade 2021; No one was injured, and there is no word as to what punishment the boys received. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. In 1991, the two Boblo boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, MI., to the island, as well as to and from Amherstburg, Ontario. Anyone remember how much fun the dance floor was and how beautiful the boats were. Rule 2 does not apply when replying to this stickied comment.. Rule 2 does apply throughout the rest of this thread.. What this means: Please keep any "meta" discussion directed at specific users, mods, or r/conspiracy in general in this comment chain only.. 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. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. Livingstone writes that the white sand beach was created in 1957 when a vein of sand in the mouth of the river was dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as they deepend the Amherstburg Channel to St. Lawrence Seaway standards, opening the Great Lakesto the world.. 3 F 1 1/2. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. Call (519) 979-9949 to reach your Amherstburg real estate team, Team Goran of RE/MAX CARE Realty. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. The price is a little over $300k. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. You know what I think, I have never been over there. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. 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. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. 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. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. Update: A couple of them were partially restored and used during the filming ofTransformers 4. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. The SS Ste. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. It is not fair that these people can just take away the little bit of history we have left just so they can watch their bank accounts rise. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. 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. Im glad you made this comment. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. 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. Unfortunately, my search came up empty. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. (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. 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. 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. A tri-plex home. The island has quite an interesting history. The Boblo Island Detroit dock building can be seen on the Detroit, Michigan side of the Detroit River. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. The Park which eventually became Boblo Amusement Park got its first ride, the 178 48-animal Mangels-Illions Carousel. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. Boblo's trains made a 20-minute circuit around about 2 miles of track . The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. (LogOut/ 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. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. On that visit, the very air between the Wild Mouse and the Whip was fraught with hormones dancing to a Top Ten soundtrack which included Sitting on the Dock of the Bay and Grazing in the Grass.. . Rochester Hills mom testifies about 2 . Bois Blanc Island, former site of the Bob-Lo Island amusement park, is located at southern endof the DetroitRiver before it enters Lake Erie,and is about one-half mile wide and three miles long. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. That is what the park was supposed to be about. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. He was 20 years older than me. We dont save anything for history any more. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. They are located next to the Dance Hall. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. 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 (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. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. [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. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. Or not. 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. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. 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. The control room area through broken glass. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. Claire, built in 1910. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. 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. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. steeped in history is open for business. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. Claire and the SS Columbia? [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. The 16mm film is from around 1960. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. Kathleen Saylors. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. 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). I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. [Meta] Sticky Comment. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. [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 railroad began operating on the island in 1956. 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 old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. 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). [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". The place just went completely downhill. [2] 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. I agree. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. Why did Boblo Island shut down? There are just two ways in and out of the island. In my days they were very comparable although I think Cedar Point was a little larger. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. in subculturing, when do you use the inoculating loop cactus allergy symptoms Boblo Island is an Island in the Detroit River located directly west of Amherstburg, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the border. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. I do hope that someone will come along and restore the park back to its prime, so we can get families and the community back together again, and we can share our memories with the generations to come. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. 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. 2022-09-26. It had e. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. More waterfront dining. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". Boblo officially closed in 1993. . After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Purchasing a home on Boblo Island? You do it for other people. Unclaimed. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. Share. . 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. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. And a Fairyland park on the ocean in OR, etc. 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 steamers, the Ste. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions.