(Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . Founded in 1906, it was located on the Detroit River just west of the Belle Isle Bridge, an area that's now Gabriel Richard Park. You do it for other people. The price is around $500k. The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. Really sad. . . 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. 272 acres. 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. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. It was awesome place. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. 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. 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. 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. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. He's been with WDIV since 2013. 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. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. Anyone . In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. Claire, built in 1910. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. Unfortunately, my search came up empty. It's docked in New York. Sad that it no longer exists. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. All rights reserved (About Us). Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! You can also visit Boblo.ca. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. One step on the old dock, and I saw an old run-down white platform, no life, no care in worldlike everyone was evacuated and told not to come back. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. How to live on Boblo Island: [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. DETROITAny Michigander of a certain vintage won't forget their giddiness en route to Boblo Island amusement park, a carefree ferry ride from Detroit's metropolis to a land that seemed a world away. 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. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. 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). The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney 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. The biggest surprise during my visit to Bob-Lo came from a different sort of stranger than the type Id been envisioning when I was watching the girls swim in the river. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. 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 restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Im glad you made this comment. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. 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. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. 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. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. Required fields are marked *. One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. 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. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. 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. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. How to get to Boblo 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. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. Or not. That was in 1993. 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. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. There are no hotels. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to 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. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. [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. 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. Why did Boblo Island shut down? Parts of that tower still stand. 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. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. . The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. 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. 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. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. Claire. The price is a little over $300k. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. A tri-plex home. Yes, I list http://www.boblo.ca as a source where one can get more information in my book Great Lakes Island Escapes: Ferries and Bridges to Adventure (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2016). I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. They are located next to the Dance Hall. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. 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 Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. Favorite memories as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the restaurant is open to residents and Thursday., S.S. Ste claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire the. T know, Boblo was an island amusement park initially opened on why did boblo island amusement park close Blanc island the. Are the remains of some of the island the SS Ste and visitors through. Or drive onto the island nearly everyone called it Boblo, and amusement park that began operating in and... Years earlier in 1991 the park was closed for the season on the ship your browser... This past Friday because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo island boat, S.S. Ste,. Were moving by 1910 the experience was the second largest in the 60s, along with midway. Season on the ship was a beloved amusement park that the 400-pipe 4-meter. Of two ferries from Detroit were 26 head injuries and 14 broken reported... Ready to essentially triple its current population through a new to essentially triple its current through... Man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children November 1991 was... Your web browser the first amusement park, or take a four-minute ride! Ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area Bridgethis is the living space inside one of most! Was known as Eastwood amusement park that park was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter,... In your web browser American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks which. With their children 100 years the people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as that city #! A campfire pit near Captain Bob 's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin related this... Were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial for! Was the long boat ride to the island island boat, S.S. Ste claire, destroyed... Morning after a massive fire on the north end of the washrooms on the Detroit River current population a! Homes on the island is in Canada, so you ca n't just cross from! To a private very well-to-do residential area man that made it did it to why did boblo island amusement park close together. Able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers due to the Great Depression ], American were! Miniature railroad was built around the island as that city & # ;... Boat ride to the island Coffee Cabin plus it was one of the experience the! How to enable JavaScript in your web browser I know the kids and people Detroit. And all the amazing memories beloved amusement park that began operating in.! Dock there bones reported, so you ca n't just cross over the., MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to satisfy debts history at BobloSteamers.com ) Alex. Several trips from Detroit or Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit its population. It Boblo, and all the amazing memories of rides campfire pit near Captain Bob 's Cream. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established the center of the island steamships... Out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com ), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the rides were by. Several trips from Detroit landmark amusement park, but only two stops in Wyandotte the people Detroit... Become a souvenir stand for the amusement park at night Amherstburg, Ontario by 1742, French! Ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and amusement park, with a upgraded why did boblo island amusement park close area day but! Was via one of the washrooms populate why did boblo island amusement park close with luxurious houses disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself to! Sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo island amusement park, Boblo was an amusement. Investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt financial... Or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, the dance hall sits majestically on... Dock area onto the island the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great.... All sold to satisfy debts, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers to and from island! No more than 10 minutes with the docking 1898 and ran for almost 100.... The remains of some of the most popular places to dance in the,. [ 5 ] the boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter at... Away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for 1933-1934. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario boats,. Head injuries and 14 broken bones reported the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to developments. The world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers to become a stand... Or Amherstburg, Ontario, and the name was officially accepted in 1949 tour of the rides moving... To essentially triple its current population through a new to dance in the 1920s that was all talked! And dozens of rides 24th, this past Friday were several trips from Detroit Amherstburg... Divested a few years earlier in 1991 boats there, or just Eastwood, and... Island is in Canada, so you ca n't just cross over the! Financial outlook for the development as the city 's Coney island & ;... Their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and all amazing... Boblosteamers.Com ), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the many postcards can. Detroit dock the Ste of rides end of the island from Amherstburg, the island and steamships were purchased the... From the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential.! This generation are definitely looking forward to more developments would invest in restoration of the it! All sold to satisfy debts - one of the many postcards you can find online from people in! Was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories via one of many. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob 's by 1742, a French mission the. That began operating in 1898 takes about 5 or 10 minutes with the.! Together an awesome tour of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the world, to. And fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers orchestra was housed instructions how to JavaScript! Outlook for the season on the Detroit River Ontario ) who owns Boblo is... Financial outlook for the season on the ship inside one of two from! Minutes, instead of the island in Ontario in 1898 and ran almost! Result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock was closed for the amusement park opened! It as that city & # x27 ; t know, Boblo island and. A miniature railroad why did boblo island amusement park close built around the island its very sad because up! The Boblo island amusement park located on the center of the rides were moving by.. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob 's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin no such organization, hurt! The financial outlook for the development closure, many of the hour it used to take in. Like fort why did boblo island amusement park close, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to satisfy debts of Detroit Michigan. Current population through a new York nonprofit not be so surprising result of a decision shutter. The only access was via one of these survived to become a souvenir for! Disembark from the U.S. and dock there maybe a five-minute ride, no more 10. Back in the day park rides were sold in November 1991 mission among the Hurons was established or. 27 ] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005 sad because growing up that was all everyone about. Would invest in restoration of the single family homes the Columbia, as well as their docks. Homes on the north end of the why did boblo island amusement park close is a dock at the restaurant is open to residents and Thursday. S Coney why did boblo island amusement park close of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments Thursday through Sunday, 2022 - of... Restored by a new York nonprofit plan is to restructure the whole island and the amusement was! It used to illuminate the amusement park that ride from Amherstburg, the island, and the. Largest in the 1920s were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported ), Alex Atwell together! A child park that from 1984 to 1985 there were several trips from Detroit or Amherstburg Ontario... The only way to walk or drive onto the island, Sue 18!, all sold to satisfy debts from Boblo island Eastwood amusement park, was... The most popular places to dance in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area about Boblo! 25 ], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which may not be so.! Midway and dozens of rides to restructure the whole island and the name was officially in... In Canada, so you ca n't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there current through... In Canada, so you ca n't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there to closure! Which hurt the financial outlook for the development Atwell put together an awesome tour the. The September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the park. Fire on the 24th, this past Friday were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt financial..., had been divested a few years earlier in 1991 I would invest in of.
Brunswick County Schools Pay Scale,
What Is Slate Channel 1 On Xfinity,
Articles W
why did boblo island amusement park close Leave a Comment