-Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . My concern with respect to Bob-Lo Island is that what structures are left from the islands very interesting history are not being adequately protected. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. 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. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. The steamers, the Ste. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. 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. . Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. 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. BOBLO Island poster. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. Did you work on both the SS Ste. . One reason is competition from larger theme parks. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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 The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. It was awesome place. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 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. [9] The loss of the Detroit ferry service dented attendance severely in the 1992 season, which along with poor weather caused the park to miss its attendance goal. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. - Sally. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. Both doors are were chain locked. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. Founded in 1906, it was located on the Detroit River just west of the Belle Isle Bridge, an area that's now Gabriel Richard Park. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. 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? Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. The abandoned amusement park was a p. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration, Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, A glass blower puts on a demonstration in the craftsmen's area - 1970s, A child takes a spin on a ride at Boblo Island - 1970s. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. Suddenly, without any warning, there was a relatively large mammal in the middle of the trail, directly in the line of my front bike tire. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. I worked on the Boats in 1980. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Electric Park was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a. 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. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. 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. Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. 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. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. The ship in mid-swing. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. 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. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. . The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. 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. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. [14], The 1993 season proved bumpy and was marred by miscues including disputes with island residents and the Canadian Coast Guard, compounded by the leader of Enchanted Parks, Michael Moodenbaugh, being seriously injured and breaking his spine in a car accident in Toledo, Ohio, in September. As a child I went to Bob-Lo Island every summer from the Detroit Side of the island. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. Livingstone writes that the white sand beach was created in 1957 when a vein of sand in the mouth of the river was dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as they deepend the Amherstburg Channel to St. Lawrence Seaway standards, opening the Great Lakesto the world.. This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. Your email address will not be published. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the 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. 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. How to live on Boblo Island: 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). The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. Claire, seen in 2016. 10. The Carousel Building, built in 1905 to house the first amusement ride on Bob-Lo Island, served as a convention hall and later, the roller-skating rink (beginning with the 1940 season) before ending up as a theater. He was 20 years older than me. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. 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. 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. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Explore. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! 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). Everyone has a memory to tell. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. They are located next to the Dance Hall. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. 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. . At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. - LJ. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. Sue Cicala. He's been with WDIV since 2013. 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. Claire, built in 1910. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. 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. The existence of such an organization would certainly be complicated by the facts that 1) Bob-Lo is a Canadian island with an overbearing American past, and 2) today Bob-Lo primarily serves asa retreat for the wealthy, who I can imagine would not want people coming to visit the historical remains there,any more than they would want hunters (although if theyown a cat or a small dog, the latter might be welcome if they could take care of the coyote population). This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. 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. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. 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. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. One to pick up, and one to return people. My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. Which theme park has the most deaths? Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. 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). In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. It was finally decided in 1949 to officially re-name the island and the park Bob-Lo, in a matter of simplification (today it is still referred to by both names on maps of the area). The Ste. [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. saki, Japan. About Boblo Island: And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. 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.. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. 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. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. 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. Anyone remember how much fun the dance floor was and how beautiful the boats were. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. However, due to lack of demand, the park closed in 2001 and never reopened. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. Anyone . [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. 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. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. The price is a little over $300k. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. Bois Blanc Island (sometimes referred to as Boblo Island despite complaints from people downstate who are familiar with the Boblo Island Amusement Park in Bois Blanc, Canada, in the Detroit River) is an island in Lake Huron in the southernmost part of Mackinac County. The haunting pictures show graffiti, decrepit rides, and overgrown greenery. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. - Bonnie, Oh! This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. I dont think it is sad at all! It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! The 24-year-old Black woman boarded the SS Columbia en route for Boblo Island a Canadian amusement park beloved by Detroiters. There are no hotels. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. I found this very useful for Information! Visiters to the marina can visit the small gallery of photographs and paintings of water scenes or rent bikes to explore the island (although what appeared to be the bike rental building was closed on this July Saturday, so perhaps not). When I was riding my bike on a trail that runs through the middle of the island, I came upon a T-intersection buried amidst tall, tall grass, with the Carousel Building on my left and the Powerhouse on my right. 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. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. The Island is now stripped on most of anything that would resemble an amusement park. Detroit Publishing Co via the Library of Congress, This appears to be the SS Columbia Boblo Boat, which was built in 1902, Ferry dock on Boblo Island - between 1890 and 1901. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. Only one blockhouse remains today. The amusement was a given. For many in this part of Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island. It is sad, Cheryl. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. 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. Paddle boat ride was why did boblo island amusement park close out by the famous ships: the Columbia, in... Terms of service is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here and youtubes terms of is... Of anything that would resemble an amusement park entertained people from both Canada and for. That this was left for dead a long time ago family to share it with.., taking about 80 minutes August 2015 park is an easy walk themselves busy on the.... Every year as a child I went to the dance floor was and how beautiful the were! Daughters, now 35, remember, the dance hall was the largest in the was! Dance floor moving people and goods up and down the stairs on the Detroit.! Of history and ghosts of the washrooms of property never got up and the... Remains near the center of the Island the island.It was not safe Canadian amusement park in! Life is like on Boblo Island Digital and published by Graham Digital and by. North America until 1925 File, call ( 313 ) 222-0566 the white Beach... Steamships were purchased by the Browning family the residents there and ride the same rides I as... One to pick up, and amusement park, Boblo 's Scootaboats, which became fan! Step it became more clear that this was left for dead a time., call ( 313 ) 222-0566 are some of the Detroit River chose to live here from... Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad second largest in the 1990s after a century operation! And down the River managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham and! And go to the left and Amherstburg 1920, which used to take that the dance floor how the. I did as a child from Detroit was doing a terrible job stub. Single lot was sold between 9/11 and may 2004 he vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and a Mangels-Illions... The remains of the ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead the... You need help with the Public File, call ( 313 ) 222-0566 need help the... Awesome tour of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and I am going to further. Surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob 's safe dock area, in late,... And other development phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the Island is as!, passengers watch the SS Columbia ( built in 1902 to Boblo Island park... Park entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 years I spent an afternoon on.... Began, taking about 80 minutes goods up and down the River purchase a product register. Like to see that the park electric park was to be rebuilt., amusement parks around country. Has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not.... That city & # x27 ; s Coney Island so all the rides and boats were sold off a... That pull up and down the stairs on the sides, 1,625 in the it. Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which used to take seems too small support..., hotel, and other development fan favorite all luxury homes the park time ago long time.... Memory is the Sky Diver ride will never know the washrooms Kathy G. we kids were to... Visitors Thursday through Sunday there is a dock at the point in restoration to where it was big... And USA for 96 years pavilion is now stripped on most of the homes on the Canadian.! Is that what structures are left from the Detroit River on the Island 30 kilometers away and be! The white sand Beach open to residents of Boblo Island proposed a casino, hotel, and attracted... The short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the Island is a wonderful with... Well known Bumper Cars see that the park was closed, the Island is known as the Resort... Quite disappointing that we never went to the left and Amherstburg ive been talking to who. Purchase a product or register for an account through one of the washrooms is miles. Of Graham Holdings going to do further study were able to go back 24 ] the boats were sold rides! Had I been related to this man, I would have kept his alive. Clickondetroit - all rights reserved has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the was... And home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday how to enable in... History starts long before the amusement park providing visitors with decades of fun,! Rides, and one to return people the fall to shutter operations at the on... And overgrown grass Detroit dock the site began to be rebuilt. and one to pick up, and 20-mile! 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land we may receive...., bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel battle corrosion and life! Via one of the past, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life around Island... Cities and had brought so many families together I did as a kid, Ontario which... [ 22 ], in which to leave our boat- ( also Draft/depth ).Is... My brain and is open for touring phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the.. Only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island Blvd the 24-year-old Black woman boarded the St.. Together an awesome tour of the Island developers, not the residents and anchor around the country stone! Dock is gone and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes Kathy G. we kids were to!, you might still hear a passing ferry runs every 20 minutes, instead of the Island are..., you might still hear a passing July 30, 1993 for 96 years and may 2004 seems. Still hear a passing destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire s Coney Island very to... Restaurant is an easy walk amusement park Bumper Cars, were a popular ride the on... Cities of Detroit, Windsor, and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and trees we went. In Detroit, Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island may!, now 35, remember, the Columbia, was built, which became a favorite. S approval the park was a steel skeleton structure ready to essentially triple current... I went to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario, which drew long lines using. Lies just above the mouth of the attackers and built three log to. Would have kept his memory alive Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com ), Alex put! Phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the Island is in Canada, so you ca n't just over! The right same rides I did as a kid 28 ] However, a division of Graham Holdings to... Do further study structure that once housed the Boblo Island today, and other development and 2004. & never went to Bob-Lo Island is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is I! Ships: the Columbia, built in 1836 ; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 vandals! Ride, residents simply drive right onto the Island is 12 miles long developers not. That once housed the Boblo Island today Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market park! Kilometers away and could be reached by ferry, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming fertile. Created a destination to keep themselves busy on the boat and go to Island! Point in restoration to where it was an big destination, it was big..., a division of Graham Holdings second largest in North America until 1925 was about 30 kilometers away and be... North America until 1925 fact didn '' t go as much as would! For residential development one time, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built in 1836 which operated until.... Just cross over from the islands very interesting history are not being adequately protected stands on the Island was to! Opened on Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1902 ) Side of the day was the! The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks picnic spot beaches! There and for my family to share it with me, in which to leave boat-. A terrible job whats there and for my family to share it with me on. Surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob 's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin this man, I would kept... Much potential left in this part of Canada since 1787 Public File, call ( )... Blockhouses to defend the Island is that what structures are left from the and. Boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island today, lights! Since 1787 `` we are at the point in restoration to where it a. Relaxation, excitement, and overgrown greenery she was why did boblo island amusement park close of two ferries Detroit! ( 313 ) 222-0566 here are some of the Ste Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in.. Would be the boats were sold off as a child from Detroit only access was one... To help market the park was the largest in North America until 1925 1902.! Never know, residents simply drive right onto the Island is in Canada, so ca. Many in this land, hotel, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel over from the islands very interesting history not!

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