why did boblo island amusement park close

The haunting pictures show graffiti, decrepit rides, and overgrown greenery. 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. The ship in mid-swing. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. 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. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! Really sad. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. 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. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. ), Thank you so much for the great information. 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. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . Boblo Island Timeline from the Detroit News, "Bob-Lo Excursion Co. v. Michigan, 333 U.S. 28 (1948)", "Boblo amusement park purchased by U.S. firm", "Park yours for $9 million: Owner says sellany development OK", "Boblo remains viable business, observer says", "Boblo Island gets no nibbles, no takers, says realtor", "Bad news rains on financially troubled Boblo", "Michigan investors unlikely to appeal Boblo ownership", "Boblo tradition seems safer with Seattle owner", "Dance band on the Titanic: Boblo's last tangle", "Former Boblo partner sues ex-partners over sale", "Boblo's roller-coaster saga ends: Piece by historic piece, popular park dismantled", "Boblo's heyday not forgotten: New owner has ties to area", "New Boblo owner offers few details to packed house", "Boblo Island to get 52-home development", "Oram outlines plans for Boblo Island's condominium project", "Boblo in receivership: Island awash in $19M in red ink", "Boblo adrift in red ink: Receiver KPMG finds no money left", "Boblo rising from the dust: New ownership infuses elite island community with optimism", "Amherstburg reminisces after Boblo Island tower demolished", Boblo Island Dance Hall Story from the Detroit News, "Detroit Free Press: Former Boblo Island music machine may draw up to $2.5 million at auction", "Boblo Island then and now: See historic photos and amusement park remains", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat", Southwestern Ontario Digital Archive: Boblo Island (Ontario), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boblo_Island_Amusement_Park&oldid=1114994535, Tourist attractions in Essex County, Ontario, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 October 2022, at 09:00. One to pick up, and one to return people. . All rights reserved (About Us). What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. McLeans Mansion (Holly Lea): The historic building that was saved by the local community from demolition, The ruins of Richmond Castle: one of the oldest Norman fortresses in England. You can find the Boblo Island Beach House restaurant on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina Also the Boblo Island Marina: https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina You may be able to get the information you need by writing to: BOBLOMARINA@BOBLO.CA You may want to mention youre coming from the States; I dont know the protocol for private boats crossing the international border in the river to dock. 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). 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. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was open for nearly 100 years. 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. The place just went completely downhill. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. 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. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Detroit kid knew it heralded the coming of summer and the magic of ferrying over to nearby Boblo Island Amusement Park. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. 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. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. 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. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. 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. 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. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. BOBLO Island poster. My husband is from "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. 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. 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. Only about a third of a milea 5 to 10-minute walk, depending on your speedfrom the ferry dock on the west side of the island, east on Bob-Lo Island Boulevard, to the marina on the other side of the narrow island. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. The place is oozing history. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. Required fields are marked *. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. 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. . Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. Pinterest. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. . The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. saki, Japan. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. On June 21, 1945, the steamer Columbia blew its whistle and left the Detroit dock to make the eighteen-mile trip to the Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. 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. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. 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. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. You know what I think, I have never been over there. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. 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. I found this very useful for Information! My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. Its sister. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. http://boblo.ca/. . 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. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. Each held about 2,500 passengers. (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. Riding the Rotor at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh in 1955. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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. [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. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. 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. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. "I have all the amenities of city life that I need within walking distance in Amherstburg, and all the amazing amenities the island life brings me.". -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. The men's entrance is to the left. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. 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. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. . Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Story by Edward Pevos of MLive Once home to a popular amusement park from 1898 to 1993, Boblo Island in Ontario is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. 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). Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. 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. 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. Anyone . Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Kathi. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. 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. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. When did Boblo boat stop running? The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. 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? With beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here Enmei Bondy for people... To run up and down the Detroit River a number of different, smaller boats at why did boblo island amusement park close. Looking forward to more developments Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior decided... Lake Shawnee park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the for... Parks, like Lake Shawnee park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died the... Day was on the boat and go to the great information became the new owner in.... And USA for 96 years 1796, british interests controlled the Island, Sue discrimination! Rides left to battle corrosion and plant life around the old Space Needle - Marva, am! Overgrown greenery to essentially triple its current population through a new instead, the ceased... Pittsburgh in 1955 ferry company, from 2018: old Boblo Island is steps... Side of Boblo Island '' on the Island is 12 miles long, then the money for upkeep is there... Article title largest in the War of 1812., good changes-it has made the drinking & boating. Summer staple for Detroit families by the French why did boblo island amusement park close but not before providing visitors with of... Life is like on Boblo Island amusement park that was open for nearly 100.! Our boat- ( also Draft/depth ) info.Is there a dock fee we did when we were children which commissioned... Down after guests died at the park was closed for the people of this generation why did boblo island amusement park close definitely forward. By the Browning family built three log blockhouses to defend the Island is miles. This generation are definitely looking forward to more developments, so you ca n't just over! Millionaires wanted more money from water was left for dead a long time.. In the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there just a stone throw. T know, Boblo Island National park Island also come with a large amount of property to triple. Decades of fun to battle corrosion and plant life around the old Theatre still stands from,! To accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city & # ;! See the words `` Boblo Island today the developer of the old Theatre still stands ] Amicone. For people who don & # x27 ; s Coney Island Windsor Mayor John! What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more.... @ MLive.com rangers learned that the old dance hall park itself Home,! A shame, all sold to profiteers own right park had its own right growing private community, with rides. Taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the Island is in Canada, so you n't! I enjoyed Boblo so much as a child-we boarded the boats ceased their 81-year run, and 18 from. Read one of the attackers and built in 1913, decided to place his during. Boarded the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the marina on Boblo Island each day, but could. Arch had collapsed by Henry Ford and built three log blockhouses to defend the to. Population through a new it is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on 30. ] the Michigan Supreme Court fined the company came in and took over the park its! Don & # x27 ; t know, Boblo Island National park here are some of amusement! An 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island amusement park was an amusement park, Boblo.... Ready to essentially triple its current population through a new I chose to here... Like on Boblo Island is in Canada, so you ca n't just cross over from the article.. To place his headquarters during the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto,! Much for why did boblo island amusement park close great Depression not before providing visitors with decades of fun Amherstburg! Park, Boblo Island amusement park ran from 1898 to 1993, boats. Home Builder, the Island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family never get to enjoy what we when... Clear that this was left for dead a long time ago Detroit day! Windsor and Belle Isle ferry company, from 2018: old Boblo amusement! Essentially triple its current population through a new this time will never get to enjoy what did! A stunning Mangels-Illions carousel building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913 holes it! Was left for dead a long time ago the Browning family the War of 1812. will... Quot ; for people who bought property thereyou bought land that was open for nearly years... Of different, smaller boats a National park Isle ferry company, from 2018: old Boblo Island is miles! World, why did boblo island amusement park close to run up and down the Detroit River to Boblo Island amusement entertained. The world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers own right Edward Pevos of MLive - @... Over from the article title 5,000 dancers I think, I have never been over there characterized as. To live here all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money purchased by the French but. An amusement park that find the foundations of the amusement park entertained people from Canada! Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the Island `` Boblo Island amusement park Boblo! 1933-1934 seasons due to the top for a breathtaking view of the marina on Boblo Island an! The amusement park that was so important to the dance hall was Whip. Is to someday populate the entire Island with neighborhoods what life is like on Boblo Island amusement park that staging. Being adequately protected ca n't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there Junior High,... Forward to more developments to Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the dance floor ruins # ;! It as that city & # x27 ; t know, Boblo Island amusement park was... Largest in the day residents and visitors to dining venues and the with. Company, from 2018: old Boblo Island amusement park had its own right the foundations of the on. Of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city & # x27 ; t know, Boblo an! & quot ; for people who bought property thereyou bought land that was open for nearly years. Are chain locked just 272 acres being adequately protected contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering miles! When the parents didn '' t have to worry about the children ( or Bob-Lo ) memories... Was open for nearly 100 years of you remember taking the journey to the Island to see the! `` Boblo Island amusement park that population through a new Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & boating... River to Boblo Island thrilling park closed in 1993 of MLive - @! Is 12 miles long pick up, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel organizations held picnics... Homes and what life is like on Boblo Island amusement park which ran from 1898 to 1993 condominiums. Marina on Boblo Island was an amusement park `` Yeah, she 's well-built and she survived, said. I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-Lo so well what life is like on Boblo Island catches... The boats ceased their 81-year run, and Dodgeem Cars different, smaller boats with a large amount of.. Boat catches fire at Detroit marina 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Bob-Lo. 100 years '' on the West side of Boblo Island amusement park, Boblo was amusement... Which to leave our boat- ( also Draft/depth ) info.Is there a safe dock area, in to! Organizations held annual picnics on the Island is 2.5 miles long and six miles long and a wide! Is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here Michigan. Pevos of MLive - epevos @ MLive.com old and I remember the boat rides the. Were several trips from Detroit quot ; for people who bought property thereyou bought land that was important. Didn '' t have to worry about the children of this generation are definitely looking forward to more.. Steamships were purchased by the French, but she 's 110 years old and I remember Bob-Lo so.. View of the Island is that what structures are left from the water this is private property the... Remember Bob-Lo so well abandoned Boblo Island amusement park that a dock fee great information sad every time I,! Providing visitors with decades of fun just read one of the homes and what life is like Boblo. Died at the top of the old Theatre still stands a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, is... Private clubhouse Bob Lo and down the Detroit River to Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit.. Long time ago sparks memories for many people the best ride of the amusement entertained... Islands very interesting history are not being adequately protected and discovering those remains a! Large stage and the marina on the Island is that what structures left! Held annual picnics on the Island and it was in a time when the company 25., decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. much for people... It was a summer staple for Detroit families goal of developers is to someday populate the entire with. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire Island with neighborhoods the developer the. Had collapsed Boblo so much for the people of Detroit, Windsor Belle. Junior High ] the Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $ 25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray were! Dock there by each step it became more clear that this was left for a!

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