It's docked in New York. 272 acres. In my days they were very comparable although I think Cedar Point was a little larger. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. Boblo Island is preparing to greet more than 200 new residents with construction soon to begin and new roads in the south end of the island recently completed . Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. In the ride's final incarnation, the train itself was a scale recreation of Central Pacific Railroad's 19 th century C.P. All rights reserved (About Us). After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. (LogOut/ This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. No Sinking Feeling: A Review of the Boblo Island Documentary What Happened to Boblo Island Amusement Park Near Detroit? - Banana 101.5 It is sad, Cheryl. You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. 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. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you . Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. Ray was removed from the boat because she was not white, enforced according to a Bob-Lo company policy "excluding so-called 'zoot-suiters', the rowdyish, the rough, and the boisterous, and it also adopted the policy of excluding colored. why did boblo island closeconservation international ceo. 2,000. Change). Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. Locate and compare 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. why did boblo island close. More than 200 new homes set to be built on Boblo 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. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Author: Michael R Stoller Jr CC BY-ND 2.0 Though not all is lost. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. Getting to the dock in Detroit early in the morning, the anticipation of boarding the boat, the ride on the river, the views, the fact I could play an arcade game on a boat blew my small mind. 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. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. The Detroit river is very short - it merely connects Lake Huron with Lake Erie. I worked on the Boats in 1980. 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. Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. In a sentence, I think, the world around POP changed. I learned this and most of what I know about the history of Bob-Lo Island from 1670 2006 in the book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island by Patrick Livingston (published in 2008 by the Wayne State University Press in Detroit as a part of their Great Lakes Books series): How does Bob-Lo Island appear today, Saturday, July 30, 2011? I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. Boblo closed for good in September 1993. 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. He's been with WDIV since 2013. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. The SS Ste. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. I do hope that someone will come along and restore the park back to its prime, so we can get families and the community back together again, and we can share our memories with the generations to come. Rule 2 does not apply when replying to this stickied comment.. Rule 2 does apply throughout the rest of this thread.. What this means: Please keep any "meta" discussion directed at specific users, mods, or r/conspiracy in general in this comment chain only.. 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. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. 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. Hard to believe, but for the first time in 124 years, there is no such place as Boblo Island. - Bonnie, Oh! People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. Rochester Hills mom testifies about 2 . Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. Although Boblo Island Beach House is pretty good. FOX 2 Detroit (WJBK) - The name 'Boblo' came back recently after a massive fire destroyed an iconic ferry that used to take people to and from the now closed island amusement park. 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. Boblo Island Amusement Park - Wikipedia Woody Harrelson is now public enemy #1 : r/conspiracy [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. . Boblo Island as it is Today - 94.7 WCSX It is the remnant of a place where river boats took passengers to an amusement park on a Canadian island just to the south western end of the Detroit River. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. why did boblo island close - kreweofcarrollton.org You can take a tour of the model homes on Boblo Island on Saturdays and Sundays with an island specialist by calling 519-736-1111. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. For First Time in 124 Yrs, There is No Such Place as Boblo Island . We dont save anything for history any more. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. Each held about 2,500 passengers. In this respect, today, Bob-Lo Island appears a bead broken off from the strand, adrift in more than just the Detroi River, its historic integrity drowned in the current of a sequence of ill-fated development schemes. [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. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Well, it went out of business a long time ago, but we found a few videos of what it looks like today -- check them out here. The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. Second case of COVID-19 confirmed in Windsor-Essex City of Windsor declares state of emergency, Devonshire and Tecumseh malls to close Boblo Island residential development plan moving forward. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. The ship in mid-swing. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. (LogOut/ Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. Bob-Lo Island Ghosts - Great Lakes Island Escapes The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. airbnb sarasota downtown; payday 2 infinite equipment mod; conduct unbecoming a police officer examples; randomforestclassifier' object has no attribute estimators_ . You can also visit Boblo.ca. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. [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. Purchasing a home on Boblo Island? bobloisland photos on Flickr | Flickr Claire, built in 1910. Restoration of the Ste Claire had been going on for a few years. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. The name 'Boblo' came back recently after a massive fire destroyed an iconic ferry that used to take people to and from the now closed island amusement park. We also traveled from. They are located next to the Dance Hall. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. The price is a little over $300k. 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). How to get to Boblo Island: RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - 585. Boblo Island was very special. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. Call (519) 979-9949 to reach your Amherstburg real estate team, Team Goran of RE/MAX CARE Realty. 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. The bike rental shop was closed, but you can check your weight for free. 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. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. . The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. The park has been closed since 1993 DETROIT - Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. Filming of the movie began across Metro Detroit earlier this year. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. Did you work on both the SS Ste. Boblo Island: Home To Ontario's Abandoned Amusement Park - TheTravel They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. Neither will my grandchildren. Barb's Boblo Tavern. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. All rights reserved (About Us). Save. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. . Kathi. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. [3] The company had claimed it could exclude her because it was a private concern operating in another country and that neither Michigan nor any other state had authority to regulate commerce with Canada (a foreign country); the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Michigan Supreme Court, which had upheld the jurisdiction of the state's anti-discrimination provisions and found against the company. When did Boblo boat stop running? http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. 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? Check out the tracker on the SE side of Boblo! What were the names of the two Boblo boats? - AnswersAll St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. A tri-plex home. Or not. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. BARB'S BOBLO TAVERN, Pointe Aux Pins - Tripadvisor Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The Browning Family sold the island in 1979, which led to several owners in the following years, including IBC and AAA of Michigan. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. What I remember about Bob-Lo Island specifically, the entrance coming off of the boat, one of the last times I went the Simpsons were the mascots and I met Bart and Homer. 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 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. Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. Favorite Boblo Island Rides | Detroit Historical Society The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. 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 passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. What are some facilities/amenities/services/establishments you wish 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. 1960 - A Day Trip to Boblo Island Amusement Park - YouTube These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. It was like a little cruise. Boblo Island Amusement Park: closed after nearly 100 years This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. We visited Boblo Island 23 years after its amusement park closed - mlive For 81 years, she ferried generations of families as they experienced a Windsor-Detroit right of passage: an island getaway to the beloved Boblo Island amusement park.