why did boblo island close why did boblo island close

You know what I think, I have never been over there. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. why did boblo island close. A tri-plex home. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. Neither will my grandchildren. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. There are just two ways in and out of the island. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. Building the lighthouse on the island instead of the shoal presented several advantages: a shorter tower could be used due to the . The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. Built in the early 1900s, the SS Columbia and SS Ste. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. All Rights Reserved. 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 broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. 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. The railroad began operating on the island in 1956. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. 559 gold coast 777777 w Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The island is now a residential community. Kathi. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. 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. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. Thank you again!! http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. Rochester Hills mom testifies about 2 . I vaguely remember going to Boblo Island Amusement Park as a kid and recently found myself wondering what happened to the place. The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. Having trotted out into the intersection, clearly not expecting anyone to be on the trail, the animal froze and then turned and shot back up the path, between thetall vegetation on each side, its hind legs trying to gain purchase on the crushed limestone. The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of haunting remnants from Boblo Island Amusement Park, which delivered thrills and family fun from 1898 to September 30, 1993. The 16mm film is from around 1960. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. How to get to Boblo Island: 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. You will find even more information in: Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, by Patrick Livingstone (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008); Bob-Lo: An Island in Troubled Waters, by Annessa Carlisle (Royal Oak, MI: Momentum Books, 2005); and for more photographs, Bob-Lo Revisited, by Bill Rauhausuer (Chicago: Lorentz, 2003). By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. 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). RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - 585. 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. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. The once site of the infamous amusement park has been renamed erasing one of the last remnants of days gone by. Both doors are were chain locked. The place is oozing history. They are located next to the Dance Hall. I dont think it is sad at all! The Browning Family sold the island in 1979, which led to several owners in the following years, including IBC and AAA of Michigan. In 1958 the island was the site of joint Canadian-American war games, addressing a hostile force presence with amphibious units from around the Great Lakes. You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. Boblo Boats Documentary Hitting Select Theatres in Detroit This Fall [VIDEO], Metallicas 72 Seasons Global Premiere Where You Can Watch in Michigan, Detroit Chef Named Chopped Champ Donates $10K Prize, Tri-County Ninja & Collectibles in Fenton Approved for Liquor License, Compete in Cedar Point Trivia from the Comfort of Your Michigan Home, Michigan Has Enforced the Death Penalty a Remarkably Low Number of Times, Celebrate 21 Years Of The Machine Shop In March, 13 Suggestions to Fill Flints Empty Sears in Genesee Valley Mall. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of. 582 gold coast drive boblo island ontario windsor essex ontario mls 22015670 video tour available at https wwwdangemuscom listings welcome to the awesome lifestyle on bois blanc also known as boblo. I had the pleasure of delivering a load of stuffed animals to the Park in the early 1990s, was a trip i will never forget, driving my Freightliner truck and a 48 foot trailer onto the wharf to make the trip across the river in the middle of the night over to the island then driving around the the park, having to stop and wait for the park benches to be moved for me to able to get truck and trailer around the turns stopping here and there to off load these stuffed toys into little electric carts for the arcade games before the park opened the next day, Friday of a May 24 weekend. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. We also traveled from. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. 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. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. 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. 6 reviews #1 of 2 Restaurants in Pointe Aux Pins American Pub. 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. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. 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.. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. 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. I worked on the Boats in 1980. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. 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. Answer (1 of 2): I have barely recallable memories of POP. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. 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. You can also visit Boblo.ca. 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 operations ended in 1993. The homes come with all appliances. In fact, one of those . The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. 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. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. Cedar Point, which has world-famous roller coasters and a wider range of attractions, is close enough to the Detroit area for a day trip (for the very hardy). Really sad. Before I rode on it on the Island I had gone to a local fair and 3 other girls and I rode together on it and we laughed and really enjoyed it. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. 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. 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. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. 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. Please dont judge us without knowing us! . Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Hundreds of small amusement parks went out in 1980s as families all went to super amusement parks like Cedar Point and Six Flags and did not visit small ones often. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. Technically speaking, the island was a part of Canada (Bois Blanc Island, Ontario to be exact) but was just a short ferry ride up the Detroit River from the city of Detroit. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. - LJ. 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.. No one was injured, and there is no word as to what punishment the boys received. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. why did boblo island close; william monroe high school why did boblo island close. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the eye. . There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! So sad. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. . [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. He was 20 years older than me. 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. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. Locate and compare 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. The price is around $500k. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. 11 Properties from $2,300. The Detroit river is very short - it merely connects Lake Huron with Lake Erie. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. what a fun and exciting place. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. Boblo Island, originally names Bois Blanc (White Woods in French) opened as a Park in 1898. . 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. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. Bois Blanc Island, French for White Woods Island, was named on account of its numerous white-barked birch and beech trees, and is today commonly known as Boblo Island, an English corruption of the original name. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. Barb's Boblo Tavern. Edit: I hope it's just a tracker issue but it seemed to be working fine. Each held about 2,500 passengers. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. Did you work on both the SS Ste. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. 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. Boblo's trains made a 20-minute circuit around about 2 miles of track . I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. Enjoy 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. 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. An old silent family home movie of a trip to Boblo Island Amusement Park, no longer existing. Smudged by the past, we nevertheless feel a redemptive twinge in the final aerial shot as Dr. Kattoo hoists the flag over Claire's mended hull. why did boblo island close. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Many of the other rides are still entertaining guests at parks in Texas, Maryland, British Columbia, and Mexico. 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. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. 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. Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. Filming of the movie began across Metro Detroit earlier this year. He's been with WDIV since 2013. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. St. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. It was awesome place. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. Boblo's miniature railroad was perfect for those interested in something more leisurely than the island's rollercoaster. The price is a little over $300k. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. [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. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". Update: A couple of them were partially restored and used during the filming ofTransformers 4. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. Author: Michael R Stoller Jr CC BY-ND 2.0 The reasons for its closure were numerous, ranging from rising maintenance costs and poor management to stronger competition from the nearby, more attractive Cedar Point Park. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. 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. The ships ferried people to the Boblo Island amusement park on the Detroit River for 89 years until they ceased operation in 1991. The Park which eventually became Boblo Amusement Park got its first ride, the 178 48-animal Mangels-Illions Carousel. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. 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. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. When did Boblo boat stop running? It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. I agree. 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 fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. why did boblo island closeconservation international ceo. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". It was like a little cruise. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. All rights reserved (About Us). Boblo Island was an amusement park that was at one time larger than Cedar Point. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. Review. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. It is a story told in a new movie that premiered last week in Detroit called "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale". Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. 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. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The place just went completely downhill. Which may not be surprising, given that its been many thingscamp for European explorers, fortress, picnic spot, dance venue, amusement park, retreatto many people over the centuries beginning with four Algonquin and Iroquoian tribes:the Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Wyandot (Huron)one source claims the original name of the island was Etiowiteedannenti, a name bestowed by the Wyandotand followed by: The first recorded passage to the island, which was named Bois Blanc (White Woods), by the French dates from 1670. The Boblo Island Detroit dock building can be seen on the Detroit, Michigan side of the Detroit River.