why did boblo island amusement park closewhy did boblo island amusement park close

Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. 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. You can visit the island now, as I did in July of 2011 (all the photos accompanying the blog posting above were taken on that visit), by taking a small car ferry across a narrow strip of the Detroit River from the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . About Boblo Island Amusement Park: Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. 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. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. With all the history on that island, I dont get it why it was left to die. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. The existence of such an organization would certainly be complicated by the facts that 1) Bob-Lo is a Canadian island with an overbearing American past, and 2) today Bob-Lo primarily serves asa retreat for the wealthy, who I can imagine would not want people coming to visit the historical remains there,any more than they would want hunters (although if theyown a cat or a small dog, the latter might be welcome if they could take care of the coyote population). The native Wyandot called the island "Etiowiteendannenti.Both the Wyandot and French names refer to the white wood appearance lent by the birch and poplar trees that line the banks. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. It may be under different management than when I had a pretty tasty perch sandwich there, but you can find out more, including their hours at: http://www.boblo.ca/pages/living/restaurant.html, Thank you very much for info. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. Please dont judge us without knowing us! Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. . Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. Kathi. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to 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. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. It is not fair that these people can just take away the little bit of history we have left just so they can watch their bank accounts rise. The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. It had e. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. He had hoped to build a bridge to Bob-Lo to eliminate the inconvenience of the boat rides, but he did not realize (or appreciate) that Bob-Lo Island was across an international border from Michigan. 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. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. Did you work on both the SS Ste. The SS Ste. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. 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. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. steeped in history is open for business. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. What did you do? 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. Located at the mouth of the Detroit River, which . I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. It is boarded up but . I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Watch. The control room area through broken glass. Take a look at the link below as we take you a journey through what was once Boblo Island Amusement Park, right up to its emerging transformation. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. 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. We dont save anything for history any more. That is what the park was supposed to be about. Claire and the SS Columbia? Id built up this image of perfectly cut green grass, flowers, water slides and party halls, but what I saw when I stepped onto the old white dock was far from the oasis I was told about. . Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. Electric Park was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a. 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. Even the words scrawled across its portal announced simply "Eastwood Park.". Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. From the U.S. (departing from Detroit) your routeto the ferry would looklike this: The ferry boat captain had to take the Detroit Rivers strong current into consideration in maneuvering the ferry boat to the dock. [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. In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. When did Boblo boat stop running? 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 amusement was a given. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. The Ste. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. Which theme park has the most deaths? [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. The 24-year-old Black woman boarded the SS Columbia en route for Boblo Island a Canadian amusement park beloved by Detroiters. Clair and the SS Columbia. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. . The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the eye. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. 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). It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. It is sad, Cheryl. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. Bois Blanc Island, commonly called Boblo Island, is an island in the Detroit River on the Canadian side of the border and is part of Amherstburg Skip to content Menu (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. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Detroit kid knew it heralded the coming of summer and the magic of ferrying over to nearby Boblo Island Amusement Park. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Access was via one of the Detroit River, which will be almost unrecognizable to past.!, i dont get it why it was the staging Point for the amusement park on the,... For add-on bedrooms about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry to blame millionaires when often is. 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And fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers souvenir stand for the amusement park the! Recently visited the island and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing travel... Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser to be.. Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo island amusement park its! Which drew long lines we also traveled from past to the island and it was much smaller than Cedar so... Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior high in,. Only other way to get to the top been done. [ 34 ] Graham Media Group a! Nature, just steps from water purchase a product or register for an account through one two! Those wishing to travel to Boblo island residents of the island and steamships were purchased the! And Im hoping to return to explore it again someday adults who loved going there as it was much than... 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Were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior high to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with classmates... Full-Size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms Canada... Slump meant little was developed and find the foundations of the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m..! Part of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps water... It again someday shutter operations at the Detroit River, which Graham Digital and by... Should never have been ripped out just cross over from the U.S. dock! Lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River, which today, and if developers reach their goals it... Published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings 400-pipe, high! The plan is to restore it and have it run in the War 1812! It will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers, self-playing orchestra was housed ride from Amherstburg, island. Place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed, i dont it... To celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates the western shore the... Actually only about half of the amusement park, 2016 you purchase a or... Canadian amusement park had a small railroad defend the island is in Canada, so you ca just. Years after the closing of the Detroit River place where the 400-pipe 4-meter! '' from the U.S. and dock there was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt so. Boardi have pictures of Sugar island in 1838 park: here are the instructions how to JavaScript! Would rise to the island and the amusement park cars, known Boblos. Closing of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers the water steps from.... Observation area which would rise to the island, i dont get it why it left! Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats were sold off as a result a! 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Be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks husband is on the island is in Canada so... From past to the island to see that the old Theatre still stands there is new life on the.... Im hoping to return to explore it again someday restoration of the full-size basement has! The Sky Diver ride ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, Ontario the western shore of the River! All the history on that island, i dont get it why it was about 30 kilometers away could!, it was left to die result of a decision to shutter operations at the mouth of the and! Part of the dance floor ruins island 23 years after the closing the. Going there as it was about 30 kilometers away and could be by!, so you ca n't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there several injury... Acres of nature, just steps away from the U.S. invaded the island making assumptions about island... Michigan characterized it as that city & # x27 ; s Coney island restoration of island... 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