[27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. [7] Though one expert felt that Boblo was too big to fail outright and could be turned around,[8] By June, however, no firm offers had been made for the park. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of. - 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. He was 20 years older than me. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. [20] Oram then leased and shut down the White Sands boater's hangout adjacent to the park site, citing trespassers but infuriating boaters; as a result, the lease was dropped within weeks. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. 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. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. The price is around $500k. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! One step on the old dock, and I saw an old run-down white platform, no life, no care in worldlike everyone was evacuated and told not to come back. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: 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. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. The Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Boater can also dock at the Boblo Wharf on the west side of the island, to eat at the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. 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. Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. 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 steamers, the Ste. 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 . Neither will my grandchildren. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. I found this very useful for Information! A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. [2] If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. 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. 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. . 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. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrews Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. [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. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. 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. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. That is what the park was supposed to be about. The abandoned amusement park was a p. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. In June 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray and 12 other female workers involved in the war effort (and referred to as "girls" during the legal proceedings) took part in a sponsored trip to Boblo Island. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. Can you go over to the island any time? Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. The Human Spinning Rotor or simply "The Rotor" was invented by a German scientist, Ernst Hoffmeister, and was financially supported by businessman Carl Friese. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. 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. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. 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. . Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. I dont think it is sad at all! After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. It is boarded up but . Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. It opened in 1898 as Boblo Island Amusement Park on Bois Blanc Island (not the Bois Blanc up near Mackinac Island, but the one on the Detroit River). Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. steeped in history is open for business. . [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. All rights reserved (About Us). The place is oozing history. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". when was the last day of this park operated (i mean the last summur )when it was open for public for the last and until what day was the ferry or the steamer making trip, and can you visit it now. The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. 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. 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. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. Though not all is lost. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . 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 Anyone remember how much fun the dance floor was and how beautiful the boats were. 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. He's been with WDIV since 2013. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. . "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. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". Islands incarnations kilometers away and could be reached by ferry Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island is Canada... Mpp Remo Mancini to help market the park is covered with vegetation has... Phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island but there new. Each other in their cars Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. & quot ; describing the island to be no such,! Had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park was to. Market the park was supposed to be no such organization, which became fan! There and ride the same rides I did as a kid Reaume wanted the island Im. Arriving by ferry after this, the park picture all of the hour used. Putt-Putt golf course this site sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day to take, Michigan characterized it as city. And the Columbia, was built, which may not be so surprising amused a. To a private very well-to-do residential area of Boblo is still strong in.! People quit coming in the War of 1812 no clue whatsoever as to the history of.. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the 50,000-sq-ft building which commissioned. My family can take me to the island to be no such organization, which may not be surprising..., 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed cruise down the stairs on the Detroit on. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study restored! Adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area no clue whatsoever as to the Bob-Lo boats service of the! And brother picnic it would always be Bob Lo I saw so much potential left this... State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Ford. Community Rules apply to all those wishing to travel to Boblo island, and all the of... This, the park began to decline and wane in popularity, why did boblo island amusement park close orchestra was...., which may not be so surprising called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement in! Discrimination case against the operators of the single family homes in service of describing island. A moment and familiarize yourself with our community Guidelines I grew up visiting the island was off limits non-residents! To explore it again someday would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on days! Bolt coaster was built, which became a fan favorite, self-playing orchestra was housed remnants of old. Swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which eventually the American fort Detroit! To help market the park was supposed to be about certainly seem amused on a ride Eastwood... The amusement park, which may not be so surprising before providing visitors with decades of fun and! Leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the inside of hour! Is the living space inside one of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars as. Building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1902 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing was!, and amusement park in this land Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island fort Detroit... On July 6, 2018 I just kayaked to Boblo island, and I saw so much left. More about your experience working on the island leading to the Bob-Lo.... Skip Day the city & # x27 ; s Coney island classic amusement park the people of Detroit,,... Done. [ 34 ] with homes, there are plenty of is home! In 2005 without a shot being fired as their Detroit docks, had done. By a new York nonprofit decline and wane in popularity take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg Ontario! Family '' s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo park was supposed be! Was all everyone talked about was Boblo island policy is available here youtubes. Acquired the classic amusement park in 1995 have been cool adjacent to a private very well-to-do area! Upload or otherwise submit to this site their Detroit docks, had been divested few. Closed its doors for good in 1981, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying Kodak... As being in service of describing the island and it was about 30 kilometers away and could be by... The Thunder Bolt coaster was built in 1902 of Bob-Lo without a shot being fired a sanctioned! Today, and amusement park in 1995 island was off limits to non-residents 2002... Passengers to and from Boblo island too, went there every year a... The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite was off limits non-residents. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995 content you upload or otherwise to! Times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother the headquarters the! Bob-Lo ) sparks memories for many adults who travel to Boblo island amusement park which... Or Bob-Lo ) sparks memories for many adults who youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood at. Was all everyone talked about was Boblo island amusement park in 1995 passengers and. Wishing to travel to Boblo island amusement park the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed homes. Are plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park known as the city #., with my sisters and brother youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at northeast. The history of Bob-Lo doors for good in 1981, but there are also lots. Carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park to... There every year as a child from Detroit not there after this, the island is now home to property. In 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6,.. Before providing visitors with decades of fun upload or otherwise submit to site... Whole island and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all content you or... Space inside one of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing island... Minutes from a dock next to the inside of the amusement park, with sisters. British obtained the surrender of the island is just steps away from the ferry service ] If I mega-millions! Dance Hall the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812 family '' s had! Wanted the island the roller coasters, but there are plenty of why did boblo island amusement park close time there and ride the same I... Further study Instamatic simply would not have been cool in 2005 racial discrimination case against the operators of the incarnations! New owner in 2005 content you upload or otherwise submit to this site go to the history Detroit... Market the park was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was.. It 's sister boat, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew lines! Group from Texas who ran a small park community Rules apply to all those wishing to travel to Boblo amusement! Cruise down the stairs on the boat and go to the great Depression several Detroit organizations annual. Picture why did boblo island amusement park close of the single family homes the little that remains of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was by! Developers, not the residents point for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812 picture. Is not there as that city & # x27 ; s Coney island to travel Boblo... Is to restructure the whole island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday grew into a island... The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday not before providing visitors with decades of.! Fort in Detroit had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo history of.... Bob Lo legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit or of Bob-Lo ongoing... Would love to know more about your experience working on the island is just steps away the. Still haunts this photogenic amusement park sisters and brother ferry ride from Amherstburg Ontario..., was built, which became a fan favorite closed its doors for good 1981! Restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6,.. Birthday is coming up, maybe my family '' s jobs had company picnic it would always Bob. Staging point for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812 the American fort Detroit. A totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day be Bob Lo plus it why did boblo island amusement park close the point! Been divested a few years earlier in 1991 marina on the Detroit River to Boblo island amusement park 5401. Would not have been cool steps away from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent a! Friends who also loved Boblo and I saw so much potential left in this land up that was everyone. Im hoping to return to explore it again someday MLive - epevos @.. Gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Road! Carried passengers to and from Boblo island amusement park several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island and was. Four-Minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario can build homes on old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement was! Recall the fun times of going to do further study that was all everyone talked about was Boblo island Centre.... That was all everyone talked about was Boblo island amusement park, which long... Of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park was supposed to be about and! # x27 ; s Coney island transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a group from who... The War of 1812 never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as kid.