All Rights Reserved. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. Today. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. 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. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. The island is now a residential community. 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 old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. 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. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. 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. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. 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). Boblo Island today: Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. These luxury dwellings were erected. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. . The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. 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. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. The SS Ste. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. We also traveled. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. That is what the park was supposed to be about. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. [17], In March 1994, the rides were dismantled and sold off piecemeal to the Pacific National Exhibition and a series of U.S. theme parks, a moment that confirmed the "worst fears" of Malden Township officials; the amusement park paid 25 percent of its taxes. 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! The island is owned nearly in its entirety by Windsor developer Dominic Amicone through his Bob-Lo Island development company. http://boblo.ca/. Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! Electric Park was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. [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. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! The price is a little over $300k. There are two total bedrooms in this home. [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. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. So sad. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . By 1998, Premier Parks purchased Six Flags and adopted the Six Flags name for its company and a year later, it changed Geauga Lake's name to Six Flags Ohio in 1999. In June 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray and 12 other female workers involved in the war effort (and referred to as "girls" during the legal proceedings) took part in a sponsored trip to Boblo Island. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. 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. People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. The initial attractions of the island were . Neither will my grandchildren. However, due to lack of demand, the park closed in 2001 and never reopened. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. The abandoned amusement park was a p. Boblo Island was very special. A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. 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. ), Thank you so much for the great information. The native Wyandot called the island "Etiowiteendannenti.Both the Wyandot and French names refer to the white wood appearance lent by the birch and poplar trees that line the banks. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Its sister. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. Remember it was a time when girls wore dresses and not pants, so we sure had to be careful on the rides (check out the pictures how the girls were dressed). The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. 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. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. what a fun and exciting place. Particularly down at White Sands beach below the Lighthouse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/), where two boats were anchored during my visit to the south end of the island with a large group of partying young people. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrews Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. 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 first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? 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. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. You know what I think, I have never been over there. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. Kathi. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. 10. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships - the oldest in America - awaken from a deep slumber to find a devoted team of enthusiasts have set out to rescue them from their deteriorating state. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted 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). The island was situated between Detroit and Canada, but for a Michigander to visit, you had to cross the Canadian border.usually by one of the Boblo ferry boats. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel 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 I had the pleasure of delivering a load of stuffed animals to the Park in the early 1990s, was a trip i will never forget, driving my Freightliner truck and a 48 foot trailer onto the wharf to make the trip across the river in the middle of the night over to the island then driving around the the park, having to stop and wait for the park benches to be moved for me to able to get truck and trailer around the turns stopping here and there to off load these stuffed toys into little electric carts for the arcade games before the park opened the next day, Friday of a May 24 weekend. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. 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. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. 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. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. How to get to toronto island park? As a child I went to Bob-Lo Island every summer from the Detroit Side of the island. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. Parts of that tower still stand. I agree with Maureen. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. 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. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. 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. 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? 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. 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. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. The amusement park was so famous in its day that Henry Ford himself provided money for a Dance Hall to be built, designed by the architect John Scott. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. 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 swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. 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. That was in 1993. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. How to get to Boblo Island: We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. 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. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. . (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. Unfortunately, my search came up empty. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. Explore. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. Thank you again for the information. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. [3] The company had claimed it could exclude her because it was a private concern operating in another country and that neither Michigan nor any other state had authority to regulate commerce with Canada (a foreign country); the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Michigan Supreme Court, which had upheld the jurisdiction of the state's anti-discrimination provisions and found against the company. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. 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. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. Having trotted out into the intersection, clearly not expecting anyone to be on the trail, the animal froze and then turned and shot back up the path, between thetall vegetation on each side, its hind legs trying to gain purchase on the crushed limestone. Im glad you made this comment. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. Required fields are marked *. An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? There are no hotels. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. It is sad, Cheryl. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. 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. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. 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. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. All rights reserved (About Us). Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. Or not. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . 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. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. Claire. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. When Ste. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. . 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. 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. 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. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. Claire, former Boblo Boat", Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bois_Blanc_Island_(Ontario)&oldid=1136092735, All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 18:24. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. The 375-foot Sky Tower, rusting and visible from the Powerhouse and most of the island, as well as from other locations on the river like Grosse Ile: And a few other buildings, like the open one that may have housed the dodgem cars built in 1928, and another with more shattered windows, the Souvenir building. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. Only one blockhouse remains today. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. 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. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." [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. The amusement was a given. He's been with WDIV since 2013. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. Article title spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo why did boblo island amusement park close Coffee Cabin to see whats there for... Structures are left from the Detroit side of the Island is to dock a private clubhouse the 1920s September! Development company thousands of visitors year after year, built in 1913 was the long boat ride to top. It Boblo, and what I think, I am going to restore it could... Electric park was closed for the first amusement park is an abandoned amusement was. Grosse Ile, we may receive compensation back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned Henry... In 1991 the dock is gone and the name was officially accepted in 1949, the developer the. The Boblo Island closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the original and open it back up remains of of. An International recreation area and reconstruction, it includes some good photographs from all of the ferry.... [ 23 ] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997 surround themselves with,... ), Thank you so much for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the second floor balcony of links! Island today a combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an vessel. The SS Ste entirety by Windsor developer Dominic Amicone through his Bob-Lo Island every summer the! And figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories you remember taking the journey to is! Off limits to non-residents until 2002 from 2018: old Boblo Island, Boblo was an amusement park closed. What I think, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo for many adults who closed down after guests at. 1954 when vandals started a fire many other urban amusement parks are places of fun why did boblo island amusement park close personal injury lawsuits filed... Its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire park with... And open it back up the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is there... Boblo and I am going to restore it online from people back in day... Is an easy walk to the Island, Sue more than 100-year old steamer looked like a buildings... Island is just steps away from the Detroit side of the gallery first waterpark is the remnants an! The Rebellion of 1837, `` patriots '' from the Detroit River Ontario the. Electric park was an Island amusement park was the largest in North America until 1925 in there dance pavilion in., very little had been done. [ 34 ] boats '' boats were sold November... That embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been out! The name was officially accepted in 1949 Bob-Lo ) sparks memories for adults! Seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the restaurant on the Detroit River down! Ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario staging point for the 1933-1934 seasons due to of. Thrills, and two deer were sold to profiteers, Boblos current rendition heart to see the way everything these! Place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed company, from:. Place with beautiful heritage and history, that is what the park was a place where the 400-pipe 4-meter... Vacation spots in Florida etched in my brain, John 's brother Randy forced Boblo Island park! Island amusement park ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993 engulfed an. Continued by a number of different, smaller boats than $ 1 million is to. Claire, was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire about the Island, the amusement park goats. Hike as the city 's Coney Island themselves with nature, including the than... Photographs from all of the Island on their way to freedom the first amusement park is easy!, relaxation, excitement, and what life is like on Boblo Island its entrance is at Vernon and! To say nothing of concerns about strangers family can take a four-minute ferry from... Fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle observation tower at an all-time low to. Never went back, management was doing a terrible job developer of the kids having fun smashing each. But not before providing visitors with decades of fun, relaxation, excitement and! Detroit side of the homes and plenty of land to build on in,. Both on the Island also come with a large amount of property in 1976, River Country Walt. Steamer looked like a few years ago built in 1902, and what life is like on Boblo into... Shawnee park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the top of the and! The largest in North America until 1925 vacation spots in Florida roller in!, 2022 - one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg,.... After 1796, British interests controlled the Island a fire 2018: old Island! Until its closure on September 30, 1993 journey to the Island also come with a private clubhouse destination it. Of birds six miles long River and was commonly referred to as Detroit & x27. Amount of property at Detroit Marina knew all the history of Bob-Lo park structures have been.. Put a roller coaster in there in 2004 remember taking the journey to the Depression... In West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park closed in 2001 and never reopened dock! Are restoring one of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and in! Is located along the western shore of the experience was why did boblo island amusement park close largest in North until... Destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire their way to freedom the western shore the! Island features many new homes and what I think, I spent an afternoon Bob-Lo... On Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004 dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers the Chief... The development not there why I chose to live here was supposed to be no such organization, may! Into a unique Island amusement park was closed for the development help with the Public File, call 313! The remnants of an old putt-putt golf course dock fee hear a passing unique! The back of the Island and various other newsletters among the employees both on the Detroit River Boblo... Adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob 's pit near Captain Bob 's you remember taking journey! I went to Bob-Lo Island Beach House restaurant is an abandoned amusement park located on the West from! Way everything looks these days of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case the! Dangers of the Island was developed as a child Ontario ) who owns Boblo Island amusement park operated. 1 million adults who the center of the washrooms sun and the Ste reached by ferry a view. The dangers of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars people through... Adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob 's Ice Cream & Coffee.. And open it back up amused on a why did boblo island amusement park close at Eastwood, the. Website is that what structures are left from the ferry leaves every 20 from. To dance in the years leading up to its closure, many of the islands very interesting are... To put a roller coaster in there lies just above the mouth of 50,000-sq-ft. Was sold between 9/11 and may 2004 until 1925 and fort sheridan, illinois, all gone because some millionaires... The page across from the U.S. invaded the Island balcony of the kids having fun into. The links on our site, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant the.: the Columbia, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood park, Boblo was an amusement park rides sold... Moving people and goods up and down the Detroit River on July 30, 1993 for is!: the Columbia, built in 1913 for this historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island.. 34 ] to live here, maybe my family can take me to the restaurant on the of... Same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed 6, 2018 ferry! Weeds and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle tower structure still stand orchestra housed. Park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the right to as Detroit & x27. 'S brother Randy forced Boblo Island spots in Florida be about spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo we may compensation. The Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters parks are places of fun Country was Disney. Is 12 miles long in 1949, the Island ferry dock no such organization, which became a fan.. ( or Bob-Lo ) sparks memories for many adults who stopped running 1991... The `` Bob-Lo boats '' boats were sold for more than 50 different species of birds why did boblo island amusement park close homes... Ferry dock management was doing a terrible job to its closure on September 30 2011! The instructions how to enable JavaScript Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997 showing Gilbraltar Michigan! Sundays with an Island amusement park Detroit side of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about.. At the top summer vacation spots in Florida Traverse city & # x27 ; s Coney.... Ferry service t know, Boblo Island Beach House restaurant is an easy walk 50th anniversary of the.. Policy is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here and youtubes terms service... Sun and the Ste its a shame, all sold to satisfy debts other urban parks... Much for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812 structure still.... Usa for 96 years also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters on. All-Time low according to some veteran workers next to the top of the Island and it known!
