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. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. What I remember about Bob-Lo Island specifically, the entrance coming off of the boat, one of the last times I went the Simpsons were the mascots and I met Bart and Homer. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. Unfortunately, my search came up empty. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. Today. [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. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . Today, We take a look at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park; Bob-Lo Island. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was open for nearly 100 years. Known as Boblo Amusement Park, it was wildly popular with American tourists throughout much of the 20th century until it closed in 1993. i need a boblo island abandoned amusement park date pic . When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. The ferry is run for the island residents, their guests, and prospective buyers of lots in the Triamico Development Affiliates marina resort community. However, there is a public restaurant, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House, on the west side of the island by the marina (ferry docks at the east side). "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Anyone remember how much fun the dance floor was and how beautiful the boats were. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. . 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. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. To rebuild would be one of lifes pleasures. Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. Sad that it no longer exists. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. What did you do? Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. 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). . ), Thank you so much for the great information. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. BOBLO runs Nov. 22 to Dec. 2 at the Great Hall Black Box Theatre (former venue of the Theatre Centre), 1087 Queen St. W. For tickets ($20-$25), visit theatrecentre.org or call 416-538-0988. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. Clair and the SS Columbia. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. There are just two ways in and out of the island. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. 10. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships - the oldest in America - awaken from a deep slumber to find a devoted team of enthusiasts have set out to rescue them from their deteriorating state. One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. The best time was 8 hours and 42 minutes turned in by 17-year old Dorothy de Caussin and 15-year old Ida Mutnick, both of Detroit. The ship in mid-swing. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. Only about a third of a milea 5 to 10-minute walk, depending on your speedfrom the ferry dock on the west side of the island, east on Bob-Lo Island Boulevard, to the marina on the other side of the narrow island. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. 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. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. Anyone . The island is now a residential community. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. 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). Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. Between my concerns for the submerged rocks of the river and the mortar of history I was climbing over, I thought, what a wonderful place this island would be to explore if you were a kid or teenager and what a nightmare it poses for parents or grandparents of those explorers! When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. The last screams of joy could be heard from the little island of fun 25 years ago as the Cedar Point of Michigan closed for the final time. With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. "I have all the amenities of city life that I need within walking distance in Amherstburg, and all the amazing amenities the island life brings me.". 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. The price is around $500k. How to get to toronto island park? The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. I agree with Maureen. Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. You do it for other people. There are two total bedrooms in this home. By 1998, Premier Parks purchased Six Flags and adopted the Six Flags name for its company and a year later, it changed Geauga Lake's name to Six Flags Ohio in 1999. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. Required fields are marked *. He was 20 years older than me. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. Since the amusement park's closure, Boblo Island has been renovated for luxury homes. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. One to pick up, and one to return people. 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. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". Other islands Ivevisited have their own historical societies or have joined with other nearby islands to form a historical society: Johnson Island Preservation Society, Lake Erie Islands Historical Society, St. Clair Flats Historical Society, Beaver Island Historical Society, the Grosse Ile Historical Society, and Friends of Bell Isle (now a part ofthe newBelle Isle Conservancy). Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin is located on the western shore of Boblo Island, and is open for residents and visitors from Thursday through Sunday. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. It was the site of a conflict in 1838 during the Upper Canadian Rebellion, where 50 attackers were locked in one of the three blockhouses that had been built on the island. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. The Sky Streak Ride, for example, was moved to Selva Magica, a theme park in Mexico, and the Nightmare was initially moved to Six Flags Houston where it was known as the Mayan Mindbender, only to be moved once again to a theme park in Amarillo, Texas. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). 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. 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). Obscured in a small wooded area between the Dance Pavilion and the Terminal are the remains of the minature golf course: Consider this: I did not see another person during my entire afternoon exploration of the historic sites on the island, except for three young teenage girls I observed leaving the Resorts community pool and making their way down to the river alone, to the channel between Bob-Lo and Amherstburg, where, nestled next to the Terminal, is a very small sand beach where they swam. 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