Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. The tiny island is located in the middle of the East River, parallel to Manhattan's East 46th to 85th Streets. . We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. Both doors are were chain locked. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. They are located next to the Dance Hall. It is sad, Cheryl. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. Yes, I list http://www.boblo.ca as a source where one can get more information in my book Great Lakes Island Escapes: Ferries and Bridges to Adventure (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2016). Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. 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. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. There are no hotels. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. So sad. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. Its sister. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. Only one blockhouse remains today. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. 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. Between my concerns for the submerged rocks of the river and the mortar of history I was climbing over, I thought, what a wonderful place this island would be to explore if you were a kid or teenager and what a nightmare it poses for parents or grandparents of those explorers! By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. . A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. 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. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. To get to Bob-Lo Island in the 21st century, you take a ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario, instead of from the old dock on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. Thank you again for the information. One of the oldest structures on the island was vandalized in 1954, with vandals setting fire to the top of the 1837 lighthouse, destroying the upper structure. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. 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. 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. - 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. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. ), Thank you so much for the great information. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. It was like a little cruise. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. You can also visit Boblo.ca. All rights reserved (About Us). The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . - Sally. I worked on the Boats in 1980. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. Finally, A young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. One to pick up, and one to return people. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. 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. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. The price is a little over $300k. Clair and the SS Columbia. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. Boblo Island now boasts deluxe houses and condos, valued from $184,000 to $1.15 million, with walk-out basements and turreted views of the Detroit River. Or not. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. 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. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . What a wonderful goal, Andrew! 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). 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. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. [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. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. By Can you go over to the island any time? Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. "Living on the island feels like being on vacation everyday," said Gena Boschin, a former Tennessee resident who lives on the island and works in Amherstburg. In 1898, the Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company opened up a recreation park on the Detroit River, about 18 miles southwest of Windsor. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. You will find even more information in: Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, by Patrick Livingstone (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008); Bob-Lo: An Island in Troubled Waters, by Annessa Carlisle (Royal Oak, MI: Momentum Books, 2005); and for more photographs, Bob-Lo Revisited, by Bill Rauhausuer (Chicago: Lorentz, 2003). 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. To get to Bob-Lo Islandin the 21st century, you takea ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario, instead of from the old dock on Jefferson Avenuein Detroit. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. How to get to toronto island park? 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. Known as Boblo Amusement Park, it was wildly popular with American tourists throughout much of the 20th century until it closed in 1993. i need a boblo island abandoned amusement park date pic . This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. 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 Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. Embark on a CRUISE FROM DETROIT for the first time in decades, Stay the night at this ghostly-looking MICHIGAN CASTLE, SECRET VINTAGE COKE MUSEUM inside a Michigan 50's diner. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. [6] In February 1992, the park was put up for sale for US$9 million, half of its 1988 purchase price, though it committed to opening it for that summer. Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. Today it is overgrown: The Powerhouse, which looks like small limestone chapel, that provided electricityto the Carousel: The Dance Pavilion a 35,000 feet steel and limestone building designed by Albert Kahn and John Scott and completed in 1913. I wouldnt identify the owners in this suburban retreat as millionaires, but the island has been many things to many people over the centuries: the Ojibwe, the Ottawa, the Potawatomi, and the Wyandot all used the island before it was christened Bois Blanc. Later it was: a camp for European explorers, the site of a French Catholic mission, within reach of a British fort, headquarters for the Shawnee chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812, an invasion site for Canadian patriots during the Upper Canada Rebellion, and more recently, a picnic spot and a dance venue, all before the rise and decline of the amusement park. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. 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! 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). One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. The place is oozing history. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. I agree. That was in 1993. The Nightmare (ride), Falling Star, Wild Mouse, Sky Streak and Screamer were the signature rides. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. 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 was awesome place. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. 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. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. 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. 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. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. Explore. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. Located at the mouth of the Detroit River, which . Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. 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. 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? 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 again!! How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. The SS Ste. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. 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 island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. The Human Spinning Rotor or simply "The Rotor" was invented by a German scientist, Ernst Hoffmeister, and was financially supported by businessman Carl Friese. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. 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. 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. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! BOBLO runs Nov. 22 to Dec. 2 at the Great Hall Black Box Theatre (former venue of the Theatre Centre), 1087 Queen St. W. For tickets ($20-$25), visit theatrecentre.org or call 416-538-0988. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. 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. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Pinterest. The men's entrance is to the left. . Kathi. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. 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).