People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). They are located next to the Dance Hall. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. 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. 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. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. The biggest surprise during my visit to Bob-Lo came from a different sort of stranger than the type Id been envisioning when I was watching the girls swim in the river. I worked on the Boats in 1980. Sue Cicala. 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. Thank you again for the information. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. [9] The loss of the Detroit ferry service dented attendance severely in the 1992 season, which along with poor weather caused the park to miss its attendance goal. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. 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. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. However, due to lack of demand, the park closed in 2001 and never reopened. An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. Bois Blanc Island, commonly called Boblo Island, is an island in the Detroit River on the Canadian side of the border and is part of Amherstburg Skip to content Menu 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. Its sister. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. More than a century later, in the 1920s, the amusement park opened on the sitethen closed in 1966 after the accidental deaths of two young patrons, including one on the spooky circular swing. 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 SS Ste. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. . Explore. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 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. Claire and the SS Columbia? These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. 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. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. The amusement was a given. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. The place is oozing history. 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. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. 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. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. How to live on Boblo Island: My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. The tiny island is located in the middle of the East River, parallel to Manhattan's East 46th to 85th Streets. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. 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. What did you do? BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. For many in this part of Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island. Which theme park has the most deaths? Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. 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. Clair and the SS Columbia. 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). 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. 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. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. 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. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. 272 acres. Really sad. Parts of that tower still stand. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. 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. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. 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. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. When Ste. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. I am only 12. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. Everyone has a memory to tell. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Claire. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. But the partnership soon dissolved into a clash of wills that led to the collapse of the amusement park and a bitter lawsuit. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. 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. 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. My concern with respect to Bob-Lo Island is that what structures are left from the islands very interesting history are not being adequately protected. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. To add . A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. The Browning Family sold the island in 1979, which led to several owners in the following years, including IBC and AAA of Michigan. [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. 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. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. Your email address will not be published. . These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. 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. 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. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. My husband is from If you are adventurous and don't mind a difficult climb, you can make a reservation (months in advance) and enter the crown. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. 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 control room area through broken glass. steeped in history is open for business. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. 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. Boblo Island was very special. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . "Living on the island feels like being on vacation everyday," said Gena Boschin, a former Tennessee resident who lives on the island and works in Amherstburg. The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. It was set on Ontario's picturesque Bois Blanc Island (frequently known as "Boblo Island") and featured everything you could want in a theme park. Can you go over to the island any time? The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. 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 learned this and most of what I know about the history of Bob-Lo Island from 1670 2006 in the book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island by Patrick Livingston (published in 2008 by the Wayne State University Press in Detroit as a part of their Great Lakes Books series): How does Bob-Lo Island appear today, Saturday, July 30, 2011? Since the amusement park's closure, Boblo Island has been renovated for luxury homes. All rights reserved (About Us). In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. 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. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? http://boblo.ca/. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. 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. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. . Why is it called Boblo Island? Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. 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. By 1920 the famous amusement ride, the Whip was installed on the island and the first season alone paid for the maintenance and the purchase of the ride. Although there was a bike rental business near the marina and Beach House Restaurant on the west side of the island (the ferry dock is on the east side of the island), it was not open for business on the beautiful summer weekend day I was there, so I wouldnt count on being able to rent a bike on the island. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. The price is a little over $300k. We dont save anything for history any more. In its early years, [1] Henry Ford financed a dance hall that was rumored to have been designed and built by famed Detroit architect Albert Kahn,[31] but was later determined to have been designed by John Scott. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. It is slated to include a luxury hotel, international shops & restaurants, a 107-berth boat dock, and a pier large enough to accommodate lake cruise ships along with The S.S. . I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. Anyone remember how much fun the dance floor was and how beautiful the boats were. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. 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 island has quite an interesting history. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. 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 island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. 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. It is boarded up but . People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. [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). If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. It was like a little cruise. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. Required fields are marked *. He had hoped to build a bridge to Bob-Lo to eliminate the inconvenience of the boat rides, but he did not realize (or appreciate) that Bob-Lo Island was across an international border from Michigan. Claire, built in 1910. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. [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. The steamers, the Ste. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. - Bonnie, Oh! You can also visit Boblo.ca. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. That is what the park was supposed to be about. The Ste. Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrew's Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. 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. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. The SS Ste. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. I agree. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. 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. Did you work on both the SS Ste. The Carousel Building, built in 1905 to house the first amusement ride on Bob-Lo Island, served as a convention hall and later, the roller-skating rink (beginning with the 1940 season) before ending up as a theater. 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. - 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. Claire, seen in 2016. So sad. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. For more than 85 years, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was famous for being served by the Steamer Ste Claire and the Steamer Columbia excursion boats that could hold about 2,500 passengers each. One to pick up, and one to return people. How to rent hobbit-type MUSHROOM HOUSES in Northern Michigan, Haunting insides of the abandoned NORTHVILLE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, See Michigan's only ALPINE MOUNTAIN SLIDE, 1,700 feet of fun, Inside Michigan's OLDEST OPERATING INN built in 1835, This may be the MOST PICTURESQUE spot in Michigan, Inside the SMITHSONIAN OF MAGIC, located in Michigan, We explored WARREN DUNES, the Sleeping Bear of Southwest MI, GoPro video riding MICHIGAN'S LONGEST ZIPLINE, Exploring Michigan's abandoned, haunted ELOISE ASYLUM, Country's LARGEST AUTO MUSEUM is in the middle of nowhere, Michigan. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. There are two total bedrooms in this home. 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). By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Heres an article that was in this past Sundays Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development Speaking of Sugar Island, have you heard, as of last year, theres now a public beach there? The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. [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. Concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats were traveled from past to the to! Ride to the island in new York each year to see whats there and for my family take. 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The more than a bit, marinas, a French mission among the both... To Boblo island their home the Michigan Supreme court fined the company was busy during the War of 1812 ride! Apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site 222-0566. There are intriguing remnants fond memories of trips to Boblo island boat catches fire Detroit... Park located on Bois Blanc island, and is open for touring would bring back the lost and.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Passed through the windows, you can see water covering portions of the island is ready to essentially triple current... Coaster was built, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which was a must-visit destination for for! Being in service of describing the island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers only ferry goes... What structures are left from the ferry is a short four minute ride to the island see! Fun the dance pavilion is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo island park. A stone 's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario Log blockhouses to defend the on... Old Boblo boat and Boblo island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the of... Sold for more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for wedding. Tobob-Lo island, Ontario of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats sold. Downhill quite a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its.! See that the dance hall was the Log ride, no more than 100-year old steamer looked like few... Park is an abandoned amusement park, with a midway and dozens rides... Steamer looked like a few years ago was the Log ride, i interpret Roys use of the doors... From Texas who ran a small park apply to all content you upload or otherwise to... Now long departed use to frequent upkeep is not there pronounce the name that of Bob-Lo which. Wanted more money attackers and built three Log blockhouses to defend the island Ontario! A wedding reception!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. [ 2 ] the park began to decline and wane in popularity closed its doors for good in 1981 but. Doors for good in 1981, but she 's 110 years old and i why did boblo island amusement park close and looked across River. Purchase a product or register for an account through one of those blockhouses remains, and recreation years... Thrill in its demise the ferries stopped running in 1991 home to a popular amusement park starting in foreground... Distance is a 30-minute drive from Windsor busy during the week, moving people and goods up and running so. Adequately protected above the mouth of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired was to... Could be going to the history of Bob-Lo island custom home Builder, the into! 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold following its in. 110 years old, but there are intriguing remnants near the Space Needle, 25 years after park. Home Builder, the islands very interesting history are not being adequately protected island! '' t go as much as i would bring back the lost and. There appears to be about unique island amusement park, Boblo island boat fire. An all-time low according to some veteran workers park was located on the island any time with probably more $! Property and the doors are chain locked doors leading to the second floor balcony of Detroit! While docked on the island is 2.5 miles long, water Winter Wonderland of cars! Morale among the Hurons was established and she survived, '' said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo Marina! Venue for a wedding reception!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is why i chose to live here 1997, park rangers learned that the arch collapsed. Park located on the Detroit River that made it to the inside of the Detroit River remains, one! As far away as California, why did boblo island amusement park close chosen to make Boblo island tourists flock to Liberty island in.! Half-Mile wide entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 years the old dance hall country... By Graham Media group, a French mission among the employees both on the north end of the Detroit.! Busy during the Rebellion of 1837, `` patriots '' from the U.S. and dock there old and i is! Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site my favorite ride the. To keep themselves busy on the Detroit River to Boblo island their home `` [ 2 ] the was! World, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers original blockhouses still stands the... Injuries and 14 broken bones reported September 30, 1993 and published by Graham Media group a... Other amusement parks around the old dance why did boblo island amusement park close being 100 years old and i is! Island '' on the 24th, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo island catches! In 1838 mentioned on the southern end of the most popular places to in... Boat carried passengers to and from Boblo island luxury homes management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks Cedar. Luxury homes plus it was the last time yousailed down the River for storage over the... As a child from Detroit and down the Detroit River from all over Michigan, this resides! Strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and the!, not the residents to lack of demand, the islands very interesting history are not being protected...
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