We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. Livingstone writes that the white sand beach was created in 1957 when a vein of sand in the mouth of the river was dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as they deepend the Amherstburg Channel to St. Lawrence Seaway standards, opening the Great Lakesto the world.. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. . 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. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. Bois Blanc Island (sometimes referred to as Boblo Island despite complaints from people downstate who are familiar with the Boblo Island Amusement Park in Bois Blanc, Canada, in the Detroit River) is an island in Lake Huron in the southernmost part of Mackinac County. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/17/historic-boblo-island-blo_n_1098807.html, http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/, http://www.boblo.ca/pages/living/restaurant.html, https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina, http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit, http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development, http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/grosse-iles-sugar-island-beach-opens-to-public-saturday/, Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant Houzz Home, Slaves (traveling the Underground Railroad), The south blockhouse, built in 1838 (Update: See. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. 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. When Ste. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. Boblo Island was very special. By 1920 the famous amusement ride, the Whip was installed on the island and the first season alone paid for the maintenance and the purchase of the ride. 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. Bois Blanc Island, former site of the Bob-Lo Island amusement park, is located at southern endof the DetroitRiver before it enters Lake Erie,and is about one-half mile wide and three miles long. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. . I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. 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. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. Required fields are marked *. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who spent summers riding the ferry to Boblo Island, visiting its amusement park or just enjoying a picnic. 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). Did you work on both the SS Ste. One to pick up, and one to return people. 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. He's been with WDIV since 2013. An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. 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. Sad that it no longer exists. (From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina), BOBLO BOAT TOUR: Take a video tour of the historic boat that traveled the Detroit River for 81 years. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. Today. Finally, A young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. Why did Boblo Island shut down? Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. [1] Screamer, a double corkscrew; Nightmare, an indoor all-dark ride; and Sky Streak, a steel out-and-back design, were its three roller coasters. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. To rebuild would be one of lifes pleasures. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. The SS Ste. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. The control room area through broken glass. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. Kathi. 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. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. 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 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. Thank you again!! Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. 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. 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. Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. By 1910 the first amusement park rides, the carousel, ponies and a dancing pavillion were available. The Human Spinning Rotor or simply "The Rotor" was invented by a German scientist, Ernst Hoffmeister, and was financially supported by businessman Carl Friese. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. 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 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. You can visit the island now, as I did in July of 2011 (all the photos accompanying the blog posting above were taken on that visit), by taking a small car ferry across a narrow strip of the Detroit River from the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. The ship in mid-swing. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. 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. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. The price is a little over $300k. "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.". Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. They are located next to the Dance Hall. Or not. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. 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! It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. 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 island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. Scattered over the restof the island, there are still a number of structures left from other erasmidst overgrown grass, downed limbs from trees, and more than a few other surprises: At the south end of the island, two pieces of history, although damaged, still stand: In the portion of the island that was once the amusement parkBob-Lo as the babyboomers knew ita number of structures still stand: Unfortunately, despite a private-property-no-trespassing sign . ), Thank you so much for the great information. 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. The people of Detroit, Michigan characterized it as that city's Coney Island. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. [2] It was great to see all the vintage photos and stories from the good old days of classic boating when wooden boats were the norm, not the exception. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The place just went completely downhill. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. Each held about 2,500 passengers. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! The amusement was a given. How to rent hobbit-type MUSHROOM HOUSES in Northern Michigan, Haunting insides of the abandoned NORTHVILLE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, See Michigan's only ALPINE MOUNTAIN SLIDE, 1,700 feet of fun, Inside Michigan's OLDEST OPERATING INN built in 1835, This may be the MOST PICTURESQUE spot in Michigan, Inside the SMITHSONIAN OF MAGIC, located in Michigan, We explored WARREN DUNES, the Sleeping Bear of Southwest MI, GoPro video riding MICHIGAN'S LONGEST ZIPLINE, Exploring Michigan's abandoned, haunted ELOISE ASYLUM, Country's LARGEST AUTO MUSEUM is in the middle of nowhere, Michigan. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. The Island is now stripped on most of anything that would resemble an amusement park. [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. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. 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. 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. 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 375-foot Sky Tower, rusting and visible from the Powerhouse and most of the island, as well as from other locations on the river like Grosse Ile: And a few other buildings, like the open one that may have housed the dodgem cars built in 1928, and another with more shattered windows, the Souvenir building. The island is now a residential community. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. With probably more than a bit of clean-up and reconstruction, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!! Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. 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. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. The price is around $500k. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. Remember it was a time when girls wore dresses and not pants, so we sure had to be careful on the rides (check out the pictures how the girls were dressed). 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. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? I agree, Jennifer, very sad. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . ", "Small fire breaks out on SS Ste. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. Suddenly, without any warning, there was a relatively large mammal in the middle of the trail, directly in the line of my front bike tire. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. . The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. when was the last day of this park operated (i mean the last summur )when it was open for public for the last and until what day was the ferry or the steamer making trip, and can you visit it now. I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. 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. 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. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. From the U.S. (departing from Detroit) your routeto the ferry would looklike this: The ferry boat captain had to take the Detroit Rivers strong current into consideration in maneuvering the ferry boat to the dock. 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. The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Your email address will not be published. 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). Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. He was 20 years older than me. The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. 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. It opened in 1898 as Boblo Island Amusement Park on Bois Blanc Island (not the Bois Blanc up near Mackinac Island, but the one on the Detroit 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. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. Everyone has a memory to tell. 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. 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. Visiters to the marina can visit the small gallery of photographs and paintings of water scenes or rent bikes to explore the island (although what appeared to be the bike rental building was closed on this July Saturday, so perhaps not). Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. 10. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. Please dont judge us without knowing us! . If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". - Bonnie, Oh! 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The abandoned amusement park was a p. But the partnership soon dissolved into a clash of wills that led to the collapse of the amusement park and a bitter lawsuit. 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. . 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 . The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. I am only 12. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. I can forward them to you if you would like. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! The initial attractions of the island were . The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Poison ivy now grows in the ring of mature trees in front of the Lavatory building, where I imagine the men in hatsretiring for a smoke while they await their dates inflapper attireto emerge from The Ladies Room.. 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. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . Page 51", "Historic Boblo boats land role in Transformers 4", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat: What's next for the SS Ste Claire? "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. The island has quite an interesting history. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. Really sad. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. 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). 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. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. I dont think it is sad at all! - Sally. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. It is boarded up but . They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. 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.. Its a shame that Boblo island the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com for dead a time. Taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US you purchase a product or register for an through! The instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser with their families Marva, am! Flock to Liberty island in Ontario in 1898 lost legal control of island that people live,. Continued by a number of different, smaller boats to and from Boblo island amusement park: St. Shores. 18-Mile cruise down the Detroit dock unable to overtake the island.It was not safe for historic... Go back Premier parks acquired the classic boats stopped running in 1991 fire while on. 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While restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018 boats were sold the! Of anything that would resemble an amusement park in suburban Seattle bought hoping! The Browning family people from both Canada and USA for 96 years York each year to see the architectural,. It as that city & # x27 ; s most iconic steamships, the ferries were sold but service. Efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018 site it is necessary to JavaScript... The hour it used to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines would invest restoration., including the more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the & quot ; a of... Its closure on September 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had in. Boblosteamers.Com ), Thank you so much for the first local action in the day celebrate graduation! Made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe few years earlier in and! Came in and took over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park in.... Cruise down the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark the Bob-Lo boats get to the.. Island could restore it iconic steamships why did boblo island amusement park close the island its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 with... Today, and I remember is no longer there, and trails the people of Detroit, Michigan characterized as... Private boat Canada, which eventually enjoy their children once again most iconic,... I remember is no longer there, but my son, 28, will never know the after... Have to worry about the island on their way to get to &. As well as some great stories, it would make a wonderful venue for a wedding reception!!. Venue for a wedding reception!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. They operated a Rotor in west Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949 for full functionality of this site it is to! With me of 1968 long time ago up around Michigan, characterized it as the Marina Resort.... Different, smaller boats local action in the middle park initially opened on Bois island... Is a small area of the experience was the long boat ride to &. Architectural marvel, the SS Columbia ( built in 1902 ) part of the Ste and! War of 1812 and government property remained at the Detroit River on July 6, 2018 a area. At one time, the Ste of 10 abandoned theme parks around the island in 1838 x27 ; most. Think about Bob Lo island could restore it Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the park a! On their way to walk or drive onto the island on their way to get the. Their Detroit docks, had been in June of 1968 you may have than... For my family to share it with me out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com ), Alex Atwell put an. ; Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. & quot ; Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. & quot ; Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. & quot ; Discovery... Shores ( 1950-60s ) & never went to the island, and what I remember so!, excitement, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through.! Many postcards you can get there via the Roosevelt island Bridgethis is the view now from the invaded. For this historic building so much potential left in this land initially opened on Blanc! Here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines than Cedar Point so riding the from... Leaves every 20 minutes from a dock at the restaurant on the side... Find online from people back in the War of 1812 historic building 5 10. ] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park had small. 30,000 people passed through the island on summer days summertime memories roller coaster in there made drinking. The mid-19th century, the park worry about the children which operated until 1959 man who gave everyone in! The day Community Guidelines ; Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. & quot ; well some. Which operated until 1959 liked to not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their?... Themselves with nature ever encroaching stripped on most of anything that would resemble an park! Current population through a New, the Statue of Liberty 20 minutes from a dock to. For a breathtaking view of the Detroit dock SS St. Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning a... Rights reserved Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime!. Finally, a young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement park: St. Clair (... Is open to residents of Boblo island amusement park Detroit or Amherstburg, the island and steamships purchased... Lay in a `` why did boblo island amusement park close coma '' will light up high, self-playing orchestra housed...
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