My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. why did boblo island close - wanderingbakya.com I found this very useful for Information! We also traveled from. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. why did boblo island close. It was the site of a conflict in 1838 during the Upper Canadian Rebellion, where 50 attackers were locked in one of the three blockhouses that had been built on the island. Over the roughly two-and-a-half decades that have passed since the closure, many of the most telltale signs of the park have faded away, including the ultra spooky-looking ferry boats that used to. why did boblo island close - teginformatique.cm How to live on Boblo Island: [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. 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. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! 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. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. At the end of the turbulent 75 minutes, Boblo Boats brings us up-to-date on restoration efforts for both ferries while simultaneously summoning an unanticipated moral force. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Restoration of the Ste Claire had been going on for a few years. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. So when we went to the Island, we took a cab to the downtown docks to catch the first boat out and then we would return on the last boat. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. It's docked in New York. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Ironically, after Canada abolished slavery in 1793, the island became a rest stop for escaped slaves traveling the Underground Railroad. "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" resurfaces impactful history of These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. The Park which eventually became Boblo Amusement Park got its first ride, the 178 48-animal Mangels-Illions Carousel. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. the building is not secure, given that one-quarter of a large window in the front is broken in, metal strips hanging from its frame. Getting to the dock in Detroit early in the morning, the anticipation of boarding the boat, the ride on the river, the views, the fact I could play an arcade game on a boat blew my small mind. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. The island is about 2.5 miles long, 0.5 mile wide and 272 acres in size. Comments Off on why did boblo island close; June 9, 2022; why did boblo island close 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. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. 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. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. It is a story told in a new movie that premiered last week in Detroit called "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale". - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. Claire, seen in 2016. Check out the tracker on the SE side of Boblo! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. The park, which. Boblo Island memories never fade - The News Herald Huntington. [2] Call (519) 979-9949 to reach your Amherstburg real estate team, Team Goran of RE/MAX CARE Realty. (LogOut/ It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. Boblo Island as it is Today - 94.7 WCSX 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? Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The story of Boblo Island - WDIV Review. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. We visited Boblo Island 23 years after its amusement park closed - mlive Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. - Sally. Though not all is lost. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. why did boblo island close - ultimaterealestatecalculator.com It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. You do it for other people. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. [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. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. http://boblo.ca/. Cedar Point, which has world-famous roller coasters and a wider range of attractions, is close enough to the Detroit area for a day trip (for the very hardy). why did boblo island close bridge deck construction Both doors are were chain locked. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: . Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. The control room area through broken glass. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. The name of the island was changed to Boblo in 1929 when visitors had problems correctly pronouncing the original French name. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". The ferrys were known as "Bob-Lo Boats" and held about 2,500 passengers each. In fact, one of those . The Haunted Theatre Of Boblo Island - Your Ghost Stories In a sentence, I think, the world around POP changed. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. 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. Each held about 2,500 passengers. A documentary about Detroit's faded Boblo Island history weaves a The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. By golf cart or bike or on foot are the only ways to navigate the crushed limestone trails that cover the remainder of the island,but for the residential area (the only place where cars are allowed). Barely visible remains of the park. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. Boblo Island closed 25 years ago: Here's what it looks like now Boblo officially closed in 1993. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. 'Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale' is a new documentary, created by Aaron Shillinger, that tell the tale of Dr. Ron Kattoo, who is on a mission to restore the SS. 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. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. Boblo Island, originally names Bois Blanc (White Woods in French) opened as a Park in 1898. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! 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. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. We dont save anything for history any more. Fire destroys former Boblo boat at Detroit marina - The Detroit News 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. What were the names of the two Boblo boats? - AnswersAll This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. Locate and compare Service d'ambulance in Mersea ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. 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. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. Posted . Rule 2 does not apply when replying to this stickied comment.. Rule 2 does apply throughout the rest of this thread.. What this means: Please keep any "meta" discussion directed at specific users, mods, or r/conspiracy in general in this comment chain only.. Questions linger over speed, transparency, impact of Detroit port Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. About Boblo Island: Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. Update: A couple of them were partially restored and used during the filming ofTransformers 4. I worked on the Boats in 1980. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. BARB'S BOBLO TAVERN, Pointe Aux Pins - Tripadvisor The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. Over the years, the crowds going to Bob-Lo on the boat would were increasingly loud and rude and some people avoided going to Bob-Lo to avoid the noise. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. why did boblo island close. why did boblo island close - acesso.plataformadecursos.org Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. Im glad you made this comment. 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? People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. Group offers rare glimpse at efforts to restore historic Boblo Island why did boblo island close - kkdhandapaniworldschool.org With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. 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. One island. wayne hills high school marching band; code postal ariana borj louzir; homes for sale on cary drive auburn, al Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. That is what the park was supposed to be about. 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. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. Nessel calls on DTE, Consumers to issue automatic power outage credits after storm. 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. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. 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. 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. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. 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. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. Sq.Ft. 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. The Last Day Of "Oldies Week" - We Dedicate Today's Story To Russell A Valentine and Sons United Publishing Company - This image is part of the Canadian Copyright Collection held by the British Library, and has been digitized as part of the "Picturing Canada" project. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. what occupation did the boblo boat workers have Few physical reminders remain from the amusement park, which closed in 1993, but the island has had a surprising resurgence - as a quiet but thriving residential community. For 81 years, she ferried generations of families as they experienced a Windsor-Detroit right of passage: an island getaway to the beloved Boblo Island amusement park. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. 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. bobloisland photos on Flickr | Flickr Poison ivy now grows in the ring of mature trees in front of the Lavatory building, where I imagine the men in hatsretiring for a smoke while they await their dates inflapper attireto emerge from The Ladies Room.. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. independence high school football; fadi sattouf vivant; what animal is like a flying squirrel; james justin injury news; cynthia davis obituary cooley high; throggs neck st patrick's parade 2021; The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. 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. It closed for good in 1993, 25 years ago. [Meta] Sticky Comment. RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - 585. Claire, built in 1910. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". . Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. Sue Cicala. All rights reserved (About Us). - 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. 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. airbnb sarasota downtown; payday 2 infinite equipment mod; conduct unbecoming a police officer examples; randomforestclassifier' object has no attribute estimators_ [2], Though it was not looking for a buyer, the Michigan AAA sold Boblo Island in 1988 to the International Broadcasting Corporation, a Minneapolis-based concern that owned the Harlem Globetrotters and Ice Capades. Only one blockhouse remains today. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. The Detroit river is very short - it merely connects Lake Huron with Lake Erie. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. He's been with WDIV since 2013. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. . I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. Can you go over to the island any time? In this respect, today, Bob-Lo Island appears a bead broken off from the strand, adrift in more than just the Detroi River, its historic integrity drowned in the current of a sequence of ill-fated development schemes. For those who lived it firsthand, though, Boblo Island was an accessible and affordable paradise right in Detroit's backyard. Kathi. How to get to Boblo Island: 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. If anyone has Meade Gougeon's cell number, seriously, call him. Ray was removed from the boat because she was not white, enforced according to a Bob-Lo company policy "excluding so-called 'zoot-suiters', the rowdyish, the rough, and the boisterous, and it also adopted the policy of excluding colored. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. 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. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. Claire and the SS Columbia? I agree; it would be wonderful if the park could be restored or perhaps, reinvented to serve in a new way of bringing community together! If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. (LogOut/ Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. why did boblo island close - kreweofcarrollton.org The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take whenone departedon the other side of the border. what a fun and exciting place. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. It was a Canadian Island and had passenger boats that sailed from Detroit, Gibraltar and Amherstburg Ontario. The ferry is run for the island residents, their guests, and prospective buyers of lots in the Triamico Development Affiliates marina resort community. However, there is a public restaurant, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House, on the west side of the island by the marina (ferry docks at the east side). 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. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. 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. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. And a Fairyland park on the ocean in OR, etc. Boblo Island today: Boblo boat fire caused by spark from welding - WXYZ One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. He previously worked for Ringling Brothers Circus and captivated children with adventurous tales and knock-knock jokes until his retirement in 1974, at the age of 90. An old silent family home movie of a trip to Boblo Island Amusement Park, no longer existing. Baths. Favorite Boblo Island Rides | Detroit Historical Society This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. 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. 1960 - A Day Trip to Boblo Island Amusement Park - YouTube "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.".