The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. The SS Ste. 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. 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. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. 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. 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 Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. 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. . Please dont judge us without knowing us! Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. 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! In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. [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. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans owns the deteriorating dock, which once served as a gateway for ferry passengers heading to the former Boblo Island amusement park. 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. One to pick up, and one to return people. Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. 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. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. 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. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. In 1958 the island was the site of joint Canadian-American war games, addressing a hostile force presence with amphibious units from around the Great Lakes. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. . Each held about 2,500 passengers. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. 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. The island is owned nearly in its entirety by Windsor developer Dominic Amicone through his Bob-Lo Island development company. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. The sociology of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 The sociology of unemployment is an analysis of the experience and governance of unemployment. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Or not. 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. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. Which theme park has the most deaths? The Nightmare (ride), Falling Star, Wild Mouse, Sky Streak and Screamer were the signature rides. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. The price is a little over $300k. http://boblo.ca/. 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. How to get to toronto island park? Once the island closed, the boats sat abandoned for years. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. 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. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. Kathi. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. The reasons for its closure were numerous, ranging from rising maintenance costs and poor management to stronger competition from the nearby, more attractive Cedar Point Park. 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 children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. 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. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. Sue Cicala. 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. There are two total bedrooms in this home. There are no hotels. 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. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. The steamers, the Ste. I dont think it is sad at all! Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. 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. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin is located on the western shore of Boblo Island, and is open for residents and visitors from Thursday through Sunday. The scion of one of Seattle's wealthiest and most philanthropic families, Benaroya was bankrolling Moodenbaugh's dream to resurrect the Boblo Island Amusement Park near Detroit. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was open for nearly 100 years. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. 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. Anyone remember how much fun the dance floor was and how beautiful the boats were. How to get to Boblo Island: saki, Japan. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. 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. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. Its sister. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. . The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. Today. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . Electric Park was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. He was 20 years older than me. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. The men's entrance is to the left. 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. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. 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