Beginning in 1952, Joe Short, a man of diminutive physical stature, was employed as 'Captain Boblo', and traveled on the boats entertaining passengers of all ages. Boblo Island today: This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. We also traveled. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. Watch. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. There are just two ways in and out of the island. saki, Japan. I found this very useful for Information! Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. 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. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. Finally, A young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. [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 definitive history of Bob-lo Island, a Canadian amusement park in the mouth of the Detroit River and a favorite recreation spot for generations of Detroit-area residents. Page 51", "Historic Boblo boats land role in Transformers 4", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat: What's next for the SS Ste Claire? The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. The 24-year-old Black woman boarded the SS Columbia en route for Boblo Island a Canadian amusement park beloved by Detroiters. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. Sad that it no longer exists. By 1910 the first amusement park rides, the carousel, ponies and a dancing pavillion were available. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. 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. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! You know what I think, I have never been over there. The price is around $500k. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. Can you go over to the island any time? Each historical society serves as a bead on a rosary linking current and future generations to the past, acts as a tool to support prayers of keeping the memories alive, keeps a link to the human roots of a distinctive place that has meant many things to many people over the years. You do it for other people. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. From the U.S. (departing from Detroit) your routeto the ferry would looklike this: The ferry boat captain had to take the Detroit Rivers strong current into consideration in maneuvering the ferry boat to the dock. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Anyone . He's been with WDIV since 2013. 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. Your email address will not be published. Scattered over the restof the island, there are still a number of structures left from other erasmidst overgrown grass, downed limbs from trees, and more than a few other surprises: At the south end of the island, two pieces of history, although damaged, still stand: In the portion of the island that was once the amusement parkBob-Lo as the babyboomers knew ita number of structures still stand: Unfortunately, despite a private-property-no-trespassing sign . A private community is now being built on the island. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. As a child I went to Bob-Lo Island every summer from the Detroit Side of the island. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. The price is a little over $300k. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. On the south side of the road leading from the ferry dock is a five-story condominium: Between the river and the condominium is a trail which heads south along the islands perimeter and allows a walker orbicyclist to view a number of historical structures, including the Sailors Monument, which still graces the eastern shore of the island: The commemorative plaque affixed to the Sailors Monument reads: Dedicated to 134 years of American-Canadian friendship across 4500 miles of unfortified border, protected only by the mutual respect and understanding one nation holds for the other. steeped in history is open for business. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. The amusement was a given. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. To add . Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. More than a century later, in the 1920s, the amusement park opened on the sitethen closed in 1966 after the accidental deaths of two young patrons, including one on the spooky circular swing. I worked on the Boats in 1980. The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the eye. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). 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. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. A new film tells us. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. The initial attractions of the island were . One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. Both doors are were chain locked. Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. Neither will my grandchildren. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. 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. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. Even the words scrawled across its portal announced simply "Eastwood Park.". Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. Why did Boblo Island shut down? Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. 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. 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. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. Touch device users . . 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. . Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. 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. They are located next to the Dance Hall. 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. 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