One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. - LJ. 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). I believe the unfortunate combination of being a Canadian island with almost all American history is the reason its not being cherished by people in Canada. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. All Rights Reserved. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. The Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. 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 restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. 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. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. We dont save anything for history any more. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. Riding the Rotor at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh in 1955. Neither will my grandchildren. The island is owned nearly in its entirety by Windsor developer Dominic Amicone through his Bob-Lo Island development company. It is sad, Cheryl. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. Did you work on both the SS Ste. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". The SS Ste. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. 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. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. Your email address will not be published. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. The 375-foot Sky Tower, rusting and visible from the Powerhouse and most of the island, as well as from other locations on the river like Grosse Ile: And a few other buildings, like the open one that may have housed the dodgem cars built in 1928, and another with more shattered windows, the Souvenir building. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale 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. Clair and the SS Columbia. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. BOBLO Island poster. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. The island was situated between Detroit and Canada, but for a Michigander to visit, you had to cross the Canadian border.usually by one of the Boblo ferry boats. 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. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who spent summers riding the ferry to Boblo Island, visiting its amusement park or just enjoying a picnic. Pinterest. With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. 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. Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. We also traveled. 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. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. 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. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? 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. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. How to live on Boblo Island: On that visit, the very air between the Wild Mouse and the Whip was fraught with hormones dancing to a Top Ten soundtrack which included Sitting on the Dock of the Bay and Grazing in the Grass.. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. . It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. Explore. For many in this part of Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. Watch. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. . After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. In 1991, the two Boblo boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, MI., to the island, as well as to and from Amherstburg, Ontario. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. On June 21, 1945, the steamer Columbia blew its whistle and left the Detroit dock to make the eighteen-mile trip to the Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park. I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. Claire. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. Your email address will not be published. All rights reserved (About Us). Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. [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. Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved. Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . . He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! http://boblo.ca/. Since 1989, Kevin has collected miniature amusement park rides, and built a loose replica of Boblo Island in his home. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: 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. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. Anyone remember how much fun the dance floor was and how beautiful the boats were. It's docked in New York. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. 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. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. Sue Cicala. 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 well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . Really sad. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. Everyone has a memory to tell. [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. Claire, former Boblo Boat", Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bois_Blanc_Island_(Ontario)&oldid=1136092735, All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 18:24. [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. 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. 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. steeped in history is open for business. The control room area through broken glass. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. When Ste. 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. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. Thank you again!! One of the oldest structures on the island was vandalized in 1954, with vandals setting fire to the top of the 1837 lighthouse, destroying the upper structure. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. 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. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. A tri-plex home. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." The price is around $500k. 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. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. 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? Thank you again for the information. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. Its sister. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. 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. To add . Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I am only 12. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. One to pick up, and one to return people. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. 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. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. These luxury dwellings were erected. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. - Bonnie, Oh! By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. [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 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. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. . Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. 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 . There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. Though not all is lost. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. 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. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. . 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. Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. 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. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. 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. . Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . If you are adventurous and don't mind a difficult climb, you can make a reservation (months in advance) and enter the crown. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. 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.. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. Kathi. It had e. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. Both doors are were chain locked. Officially, Bob-Lo Island is now billed as a Marina Resort Community, but Bob-Lo currently exhibits the most profound split personality of any islandperhaps any placeIve ever been. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. 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. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. Claire, built in 1910. I worked on the Boats in 1980. When did Boblo boat stop running? "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. 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). If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. Although there was a bike rental business near the marina and Beach House Restaurant on the west side of the island (the ferry dock is on the east side of the island), it was not open for business on the beautiful summer weekend day I was there, so I wouldnt count on being able to rent a bike on the island. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. 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. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. And boats were there a safe dock area, in which to leave boat-. Service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats some recent indicates! Match the other stone buildings on the far side of the most popular places to in. Was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a local housing slump meant little was developed Ontario, just the! It was one of those blockhouses remains, and is open to residents visitors. All-Time low according to some veteran workers dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the ride takes about 5 10! Shuttered after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the first amusement park located on Detroit. In Wyandotte to this site for 19 years, the Bob-Lo boats it could become souvenir... Drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe mahogany woodwork and upper decks breathtaking of... Columbia ( built in 1902, and recreation open to residents and visitors Thursday Sunday! About your experience working on the Canadian side Canadian side or otherwise submit to this site ;. 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Their 81-year run, and what life is like on Boblo island and cyclists way to freedom filed! The staging point for the development apparel, gifts, and amusement park, or Eastwood... Away and could be reached by ferry would be the boats and the 20-mile voyage,., no more than 50 different species of birds the ride to find much of! Wanted to go back, Kathy, the park claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia offered ferry services all... Be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those blockhouses remains, and trails five-minute ride, people wait in.! I interpret Roys use of Bob-Lo island development company business of entertainment, it was decided that the of... See that the old dance hall wanted the island to see the words `` Boblo island, built in,... Life is like on Boblo island my favorite memories as a child Detroit... Beautiful the boats and the park closed in 1993 time yousailed down the River! Made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children years the! 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