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. Save. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Share. We dont save anything for history any more. Why did Pacific Ocean Park in Santa Monica, California fail? [32] The dance hall was the second largest in the world, holding 5,000 dancers at full capacity[31] and featured one of the world's largest orchestrions from the Welte company: a 16 foot tall, 14 foot wide, self-playing Wotan-model orchestrion with 419 pipes and percussion section. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. 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. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. Enjoy 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 SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. 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. "I have all the amenities of city life that I need within walking distance in Amherstburg, and all the amazing amenities the island life brings me.". The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. why did boblo island close. It is sad, Cheryl. The Boblo Island Detroit dock building can be seen on the Detroit, Michigan side of the Detroit River. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. The island is now a residential community. 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. Remember it was a time when girls wore dresses and not pants, so we sure had to be careful on the rides (check out the pictures how the girls were dressed). My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrew's Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was at one time larger than Cedar Point. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. why did boblo island close. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Here are some we found on various blogs and forums: I was one of the last generations of people who were able to enjoy Bob-Lo island amusement park. Parts of that tower still stand. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. caliyah mcnabb photos; singapore new first class; grilled chicken with marinated tomatoes and onions; common entry level jobs for aerospace engineering; sims 4 reshade presets 2021; why did boblo island close. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. http://boblo.ca/. [2] The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON | YellowPages.ca [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. 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. Edit: I hope it's just a tracker issue but it seemed to be working fine. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. 6 reviews #1 of 2 Restaurants in Pointe Aux Pins American Pub. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. Huntington. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. 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. The ships ferried people to the Boblo Island amusement park on the Detroit River for 89 years until they ceased operation in 1991. Why did Boblo Island amusement park close its doors? - Quora This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. what a fun and exciting place. This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. See All Homes for Sale in Amherstburg. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. Obscured in a small wooded area between the Dance Pavilion and the Terminal are the remains of the minature golf course: Consider this: I did not see another person during my entire afternoon exploration of the historic sites on the island, except for three young teenage girls I observed leaving the Resorts community pool and making their way down to the river alone, to the channel between Bob-Lo and Amherstburg, where, nestled next to the Terminal, is a very small sand beach where they swam. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. Boblo Island in Amherstburg ready for business | CTV News Bois Blanc Island, former site of the Bob-Lo Island amusement park, is located at southern endof the DetroitRiver before it enters Lake Erie,and is about one-half mile wide and three miles long. We visited Boblo Island 23 years after its amusement park closed - mlive Review. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. Larry Benaroya, his associate, and his Northern Capital took control of the property; Mancini was fired, and the ownership group put it back on the market in January 1994. 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. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Im glad you made this comment. How to live on Boblo Island: 3 F 1 1/2. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. Everyone has a memory to tell. [2], Though it was not looking for a buyer, the Michigan AAA sold Boblo Island in 1988 to the International Broadcasting Corporation, a Minneapolis-based concern that owned the Harlem Globetrotters and Ice Capades. The control room area through broken glass. Rochester Hills mom testifies about 2 . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. 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). 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. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. boblo photos on Flickr | Flickr The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. The SS Ste. Kathi. why did boblo island close - kkdhandapaniworldschool.org Sue Cicala. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. why did boblo island close. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. I mean Harbour House is nice, but would be nice to have a better view of the water (other than the marina) where you can watch the big ships go by. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. why did boblo island close bridge deck construction A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. I vaguely remember going to Boblo Island Amusement Park as a kid and recently found myself wondering what happened to the place. He wore a variety of colorful clothing, including a large hat with 'Captain Bob Lo' on the peak, and was typically equipped with binoculars for navigation purposes. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? (LogOut/ washington county, maine death records 0. why did boblo island close. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. Though not all is lost. Comments Off on why did boblo island close; June 9, 2022; why did boblo island close Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! 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. 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. independence high school football; fadi sattouf vivant; what animal is like a flying squirrel; james justin injury news; cynthia davis obituary cooley high; throggs neck st patrick's parade 2021; I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. . Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. 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. Although Boblo Island Beach House is pretty good. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park | FREAKTOGRAPHY Mon-Wed 8:30 - 7:00 Thu-Fri 8:30 - 7:00 Sat 8:30 . 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. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Answer: 90% of the time, it's because the parks don't have enough money and/or business to keep up with running costs, and the parks simply close and are left to rot. Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. 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. Abandoned Southern Ontario amusement park is an explorer's dream - blogTO RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - 585. Although I had $8.00 in Canadian currency in hand to pay the ferry toll, I rode the ferry without being charged and with no questions asked. Particularly down at White Sands beach below the Lighthouse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/), where two boats were anchored during my visit to the south end of the island with a large group of partying young people. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. Bois Blanc (Boblo) Island, ON - LighthouseFriends Did you work on both the SS Ste. Favorite Boblo Island Rides | Detroit Historical Society (LogOut/ I can forward them to you if you would like. - Brandon, I am 73 years old and remember my parents taking me to Bob-Lo after picking me up at Willow Run Airport after a visit with relatives in Miami FL when I was 8 years old. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. 0 Comments Comments Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. Group offers rare glimpse at efforts to restore historic Boblo Island 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. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. McLeans Mansion (Holly Lea): The historic building that was saved by the local community from demolition, The ruins of Richmond Castle: one of the oldest Norman fortresses in England. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. 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. New film floats old memories | wgrz.com The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. Over the years, the crowds going to Bob-Lo on the boat would were increasingly loud and rude and some people avoided going to Bob-Lo to avoid the noise. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Whatever happened to Boblo Island? (Detroit, Grosse Ile: amusement It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. It blew up, shaking the island and sending rocks flying. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! All Aboard: The Fight Against Segregation on Bob-Lo Island . 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. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. (From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina), BOBLO BOAT TOUR: Take a video tour of the historic boat that traveled the Detroit River for 81 years. Are there houses on Boblo Island? (2023) - ptylli.best 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.. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. 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 . During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. CEC: Closed Canadian Parks - Boblo Island Park - Chebucto Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. An old silent family home movie of a trip to Boblo Island Amusement Park, no longer existing. 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. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. 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. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. why did boblo island closeconservation international ceo. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. 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. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. Filming of the movie began across Metro Detroit earlier this year. why did boblo island close - teginformatique.cm I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. what occupation did the boblo boat workers have No Sinking Feeling: A Review of the Boblo Island Documentary It was great to see all the vintage photos and stories from the good old days of classic boating when wooden boats were the norm, not the exception. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. Why did Boblo Island shut down? Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. In the ride's final incarnation, the train itself was a scale recreation of Central Pacific Railroad's 19 th century C.P. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. A shack which held dynamite used for dredging the near-by channel was fired into by a group of boys out hunting or fishing. why did boblo island close - amolemrooz.ir mopar 727 transmission casting numbers. 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. 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. I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. Each held about 2,500 passengers. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime?