Which may not be surprising, given that its been many thingscamp for European explorers, fortress, picnic spot, dance venue, amusement park, retreatto many people over the centuries beginning with four Algonquin and Iroquoian tribes:the Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Wyandot (Huron)one source claims the original name of the island was Etiowiteedannenti, a name bestowed by the Wyandotand followed by: The first recorded passage to the island, which was named Bois Blanc (White Woods), by the French dates from 1670. Though not all is lost. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. steeped in history is open for business. Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. You can also visit Boblo.ca. Boblo Island is accessible by a 16-car ferry that departs from the dock next to the Bob-Lo Island Discovery Centre, which is at 340 Dalhousie St., Amherstburg, ON. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. Touch device users . Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. - Brandon, I am 73 years old and remember my parents taking me to Bob-Lo after picking me up at Willow Run Airport after a visit with relatives in Miami FL when I was 8 years old. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. The homes come with all appliances. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the 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. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". 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. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. [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. The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. It is boarded up but . I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. Thank you again for the information. Kathi. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. [11] Roger Fachini, a 40-year-old engineer for General Dynamics and owner of a waterpark in Utica, Michigan, placed the winning $3.8 million bid and proposed redevelopment after two years,[12][13] but Boblo's creditors turned it down; after the deposit cheque bounced, they took $600,000 less in the bid from Enchanted Parks of Seattle, owners of the Wild Waves Theme Park near that city. To rebuild would be one of lifes pleasures. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. It was awesome place. -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. In 1958 the island was the site of joint Canadian-American war games, addressing a hostile force presence with amphibious units from around the Great Lakes. 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. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. 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. [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, 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 Its sister. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. When did Boblo boat stop running? 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. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The 24-year-old Black woman boarded the SS Columbia en route for Boblo Island a Canadian amusement park beloved by Detroiters. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . The first thing I did when I got back home was to search for a Bob-Lo Historical Society on the Internet. To add . For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. How to get to toronto island park? [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. For many in this part of Michigan, this boat resides in fond memories of trips to Boblo Island. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. However, due to lack of demand, the park closed in 2001 and never reopened. We dont save anything for history any more. Here are some we found on various blogs and forums: I was one of the last generations of people who were able to enjoy Bob-Lo island amusement park. 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 ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . It's docked in New York. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. These luxury dwellings were erected. The Human Spinning Rotor or simply "The Rotor" was invented by a German scientist, Ernst Hoffmeister, and was financially supported by businessman Carl Friese. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. Since 1989, Kevin has collected miniature amusement park rides, and built a loose replica of Boblo Island in his home. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. . Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. [2] The plan is to restructure the whole island and populate it with luxurious houses. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. 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. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. The Island is now stripped on most of anything that would resemble an amusement park. There are just two ways in and out of the island. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. But the partnership soon dissolved into a clash of wills that led to the collapse of the amusement park and a bitter lawsuit. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. 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. To get to Bob-Lo Island in the 21st century, you take a ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario, instead of from the old dock on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. 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). Riding the Rotor at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh in 1955. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. 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. Many of the other rides are still entertaining guests at parks in Texas, Maryland, British Columbia, and Mexico. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. The definitive history of Bob-lo Island, a Canadian amusement park in the mouth of the Detroit River and a favorite recreation spot for generations of Detroit-area residents. The abandoned amusement park was a p. 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. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). That was in 1993. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! The living space of the Deerview twin villas. Boblo Island now boasts deluxe houses and condos, valued from $184,000 to $1.15 million, with walk-out basements and turreted views of the Detroit River. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. Getting to the dock in Detroit early in the morning, the anticipation of boarding the boat, the ride on the river, the views, the fact I could play an arcade game on a boat blew my small mind. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. . After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. 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. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. You can take a tour of the model homes on Boblo Island on Saturdays and Sundays with an island specialist by calling 519-736-1111. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. 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