Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. The initial attractions of the island were . - 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. Today, We take a look at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park; Bob-Lo Island. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. All Rights Reserved. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? [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. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. 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. Even the words scrawled across its portal announced simply "Eastwood Park.". Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. 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. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . [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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. 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. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The definitive history of Bob-lo Island, a Canadian amusement park in the mouth of the Detroit River and a favorite recreation spot for generations of Detroit-area residents. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! The price is around $500k. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. 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. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. The homes come with all appliances. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. 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. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. That is what the park was supposed to be about. . Before I rode on it on the Island I had gone to a local fair and 3 other girls and I rode together on it and we laughed and really enjoyed it. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. Take a look at the link below as we take you a journey through what was once Boblo Island Amusement Park, right up to its emerging transformation. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans owns the deteriorating dock, which once served as a gateway for ferry passengers heading to the former Boblo Island amusement park. 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. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Detroit Publishing Co via the Library of Congress, This appears to be the SS Columbia Boblo Boat, which was built in 1902, Ferry dock on Boblo Island - between 1890 and 1901. 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. . When did Boblo boat stop running? Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. [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. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. Thank you again for the information. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. I dont think it is sad at all! See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. All rights reserved (About Us). I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. 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. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. Both doors are were chain locked. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. We also traveled. Kathi. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . Claire, seen in 2016. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. 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. Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved. How to live on Boblo Island: 10. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. 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. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! 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! Please dont judge us without knowing us! Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. 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. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! 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. 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. 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. 272 acres. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. 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. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. 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). Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. From the U.S. (departing from Detroit) your routeto the ferry would looklike this: The ferry boat captain had to take the Detroit Rivers strong current into consideration in maneuvering the ferry boat to the dock. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. 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. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. Neither will my grandchildren. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. 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. Anyone . He was 20 years older than me. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. 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. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Claire, built in 1910. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. Each held about 2,500 passengers. 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. Boblo Island now boasts deluxe houses and condos, valued from $184,000 to $1.15 million, with walk-out basements and turreted views of the Detroit River. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. 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). The place just went completely downhill. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. Clair and the SS Columbia. It was finally decided in 1949 to officially re-name the island and the park Bob-Lo, in a matter of simplification (today it is still referred to by both names on maps of the area). Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. 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. (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. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. All the passengers who had purchased round-trip tickets were comfortably aboardall, that is, but one. 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. Page 51", "Historic Boblo boats land role in Transformers 4", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat: What's next for the SS Ste Claire? Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. 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. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. 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). 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. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. 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. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. [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). 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.. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. 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. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. We dont save anything for history any more. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. The control room area through broken glass. For many in this part of Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. - LJ. My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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! . 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. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. 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). Sue Cicala. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. The island is now a residential community. The island is owned nearly in its entirety by Windsor developer Dominic Amicone through his Bob-Lo Island development company. Your email address will not be published. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. I wouldnt identify the owners in this suburban retreat as millionaires, but the island has been many things to many people over the centuries: the Ojibwe, the Ottawa, the Potawatomi, and the Wyandot all used the island before it was christened Bois Blanc. Later it was: a camp for European explorers, the site of a French Catholic mission, within reach of a British fort, headquarters for the Shawnee chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812, an invasion site for Canadian patriots during the Upper Canada Rebellion, and more recently, a picnic spot and a dance venue, all before the rise and decline of the amusement park. Bois Blanc Island (sometimes referred to as Boblo Island despite complaints from people downstate who are familiar with the Boblo Island Amusement Park in Bois Blanc, Canada, in the Detroit River) is an island in Lake Huron in the southernmost part of Mackinac County. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. 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). By Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The ferry is run for the island residents, their guests, and prospective buyers of lots in the Triamico Development Affiliates marina resort community. 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