A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. Well, it went out of business a long time ago, but we found a few videos of what it looks like today -- check them out here. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. Heres an article that was in this past Sundays Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development Speaking of Sugar Island, have you heard, as of last year, theres now a public beach there? To rebuild would be one of lifes pleasures. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. New film floats old memories | wgrz.com There are two total bedrooms in this home. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. When did Boblo boat stop running? Kathleen Saylors. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. 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. steeped in history is open for business. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the 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.. what occupation did the boblo boat workers have Ken Cooney - Off-Ice Official / Substitute - Alternate - GOJHL Jr B Boblo boat fire caused by spark from welding - WXYZ Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. [26] KPMG found there was no money left to continue supplying basic services. 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. Comments Off on why did boblo island close; June 9, 2022; why did boblo island close Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Unclaimed. Boblo Island opened in 1898. St. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. An old silent family home movie of a trip to Boblo Island Amusement Park, no longer existing. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. Rochester Hills mom testifies about 2 . What happened to the Boblo boats? (2023) - ptylli.best YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. why did boblo island close - kkdhandapaniworldschool.org BARB'S BOBLO TAVERN, Pointe Aux Pins - Tripadvisor Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. [20] Oram then leased and shut down the White Sands boater's hangout adjacent to the park site, citing trespassers but infuriating boaters; as a result, the lease was dropped within weeks. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. Change). Bob-Lo Island | Detroit Historical Society It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. Although I had $8.00 in Canadian currency in hand to pay the ferry toll, I rode the ferry without being charged and with no questions asked. How to live on Boblo Island: Boblo Island as it is Today - 94.7 WCSX That is what the park was supposed to be about. why did boblo island close - amolemrooz.ir . 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). Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. Over the years, the crowds going to Bob-Lo on the boat would were increasingly loud and rude and some people avoided going to Bob-Lo to avoid the noise. One to pick up, and one to return people. Boblo Island (correct name: Bois Blanc) is an island in the Detroit River on the Canadian side of the border and is part of Amherstburg, Ontario. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. 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. 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. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. 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. The island is about 2.5 miles long, 0.5 mile wide and 272 acres in size. [2] After Michigan found Bob-Lo guilty and fined the company, Bob-Lo filed a lawsuit against the state, Bob-Lo Excursion Co. v. Michigan, 333 U.S. 28 (1948). 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. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. In June 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray and 12 other female workers involved in the war effort (and referred to as "girls" during the legal proceedings) took part in a sponsored trip to Boblo Island. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. why did boblo island amusement park close - kaorufp.com Favorite Boblo Island Rides | Detroit Historical Society Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. [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. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. why did boblo island close - teginformatique.cm Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. 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. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON | YellowPages.ca [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. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. [7] Though one expert felt that Boblo was too big to fail outright and could be turned around,[8] By June, however, no firm offers had been made for the park. Author: Michael R Stoller Jr CC BY-ND 2.0 Though not all is lost. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. 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? One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Find the best offers for your search boblo island. Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. 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. Though not all is lost. 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. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. We also traveled from. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Or not. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. The railroad began operating on the island in 1956. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. 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. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there.