The haunting pictures show graffiti, decrepit rides, and overgrown greenery. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. How to get to toronto island park? One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. ), Thank you so much for the great information. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. So sad. I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. 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. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. . Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. 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. - LJ. "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." Which theme park has the most deaths? Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. Claire. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. 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. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). One of the oldest structures on the island was vandalized in 1954, with vandals setting fire to the top of the 1837 lighthouse, destroying the upper structure. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. [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. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. 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. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. . Everyone has a memory to tell. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bob-Lo Excursion Company and the 50 years of Canadian-American use of Bob-Lo Island as an International recreation area. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . An island in Amherstburg, Ont. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. 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. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. 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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 park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. It is slated to include a luxury hotel, international shops & restaurants, a 107-berth boat dock, and a pier large enough to accommodate lake cruise ships along with The S.S. . The control room area through broken glass. - Bonnie, Oh! Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. My concern with respect to Bob-Lo Island is that what structures are left from the islands very interesting history are not being adequately protected. 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! Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. Claire and the SS Columbia? On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. It is boarded up but . 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. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? 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). You can find the Boblo Island Beach House restaurant on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina Also the Boblo Island Marina: https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina You may be able to get the information you need by writing to: BOBLOMARINA@BOBLO.CA You may want to mention youre coming from the States; I dont know the protocol for private boats crossing the international border in the river to dock. 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. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. 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. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . The sociology of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 The sociology of unemployment is an analysis of the experience and governance of unemployment. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. Since 1989, Kevin has collected miniature amusement park rides, and built a loose replica of Boblo Island in his home. 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). The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. 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. Sue Cicala. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. 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). By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. There are just two ways in and out of the island. The scion of one of Seattle's wealthiest and most philanthropic families, Benaroya was bankrolling Moodenbaugh's dream to resurrect the Boblo Island Amusement Park near Detroit. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans owns the deteriorating dock, which once served as a gateway for ferry passengers heading to the former Boblo Island amusement park. I dont think it is sad at all! Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrews Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. In 1991, the two Boblo boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, MI., to the island, as well as to and from Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. Watch. It had e. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? 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? [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. 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. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. [3] The company had claimed it could exclude her because it was a private concern operating in another country and that neither Michigan nor any other state had authority to regulate commerce with Canada (a foreign country); the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Michigan Supreme Court, which had upheld the jurisdiction of the state's anti-discrimination provisions and found against the company. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. 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. My husband is from 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. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. 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. 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 boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. If it wasnt for him to have done that for everyone, our world would never have known how peaceful, relaxing, fun, and most of all memorable a park could be. 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. Touch device users . Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. 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 amusement park was so famous in its day that Henry Ford himself provided money for a Dance Hall to be built, designed by the architect John Scott. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. 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. . And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . Clair and the SS Columbia. 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. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. There are two total bedrooms in this home. 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. A new film tells us. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. 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 east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. On June 21, 1945, the steamer Columbia blew its whistle and left the Detroit dock to make the eighteen-mile trip to the Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park. 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. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. The island is now a residential community. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Claire, seen in 2016. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. 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