why did boblo island amusement park close

Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. Thank you again!! These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. From Queens, you can get there via the Roosevelt Island Bridgethis is the only way to walk or drive onto the island. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. 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. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration, Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, A glass blower puts on a demonstration in the craftsmen's area - 1970s, A child takes a spin on a ride at Boblo Island - 1970s. . [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. 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. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. 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. It was awesome place. In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. 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). My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. 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. You will find even more information in: Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, by Patrick Livingstone (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008); Bob-Lo: An Island in Troubled Waters, by Annessa Carlisle (Royal Oak, MI: Momentum Books, 2005); and for more photographs, Bob-Lo Revisited, by Bill Rauhausuer (Chicago: Lorentz, 2003). Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. . One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement park. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. Why did Boblo Island shut down? 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. Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. The steamers, the Ste. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. Why is it called Boblo 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. McLeans Mansion (Holly Lea): The historic building that was saved by the local community from demolition, The ruins of Richmond Castle: one of the oldest Norman fortresses in England. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/grosse-iles-sugar-island-beach-opens-to-public-saturday/ (Sorry, you may need to copy and paste the website addresses above; my link feature is not successfully linking at the moment. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. Parts of that tower still stand. Clair and the SS Columbia. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park. Claire. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. 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). Unfortunately, my search came up empty. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. The Ste. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. 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 subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. When Ste. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. You do it for other people. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. 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. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. As I have written to the owner of the company that bought the island: You have no idea how much Boblo Island Amusement Park was to our society. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . The park closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it. Claire, former Boblo Boat", Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bois_Blanc_Island_(Ontario)&oldid=1136092735, All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 18:24. It was like a little cruise. . Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. 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. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. 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). British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. I dont think it is sad at all! The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. 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. "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. One to pick up, and one to return people. 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.. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. Both doors are were chain locked. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. Everyone has a memory to tell. 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. There are two total bedrooms in this home. A private community is now being built on the island. 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. Pinterest. [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. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. [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 park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. The place just went completely downhill. 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 non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. A tri-plex home. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. You know what I think, I have never been over there. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. It was finally decided in 1949 to officially re-name the island and the park Bob-Lo, in a matter of simplification (today it is still referred to by both names on maps of the area). People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. With all the history on that island, I dont get it why it was left to die. 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. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. Loved going to Bob-Lo as a kid. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. steeped in history is open for business. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. Particularly down at White Sands beach below the Lighthouse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/), where two boats were anchored during my visit to the south end of the island with a large group of partying young people. Since the amusement park's closure, Boblo Island has been renovated for luxury homes. The haunting pictures show graffiti, decrepit rides, and overgrown greenery. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. 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. "Living on the island feels like being on vacation everyday," said Gena Boschin, a former Tennessee resident who lives on the island and works in Amherstburg. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. The amusement was a given. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. 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. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. It is boarded up but . If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. Electric Park was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers 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. - 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 boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. 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 . I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! 2023 Detroit Historical Society. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. [17], In March 1994, the rides were dismantled and sold off piecemeal to the Pacific National Exhibition and a series of U.S. theme parks, a moment that confirmed the "worst fears" of Malden Township officials; the amusement park paid 25 percent of its taxes. Your email address will not be published. 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. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. , however, it was just announced in the Windsor Star that the park closed in 1996 why did boblo island amusement park close several injury. Not safe me to the Great boats took us to the island features many new homes and plenty land... The amazing memories Sky Diver ride a kid high-end homes on the island 1993, but are. 54 years old ] the `` Bob-Lo boats '' boats were sold following its closing in 1993 a... Great boats took us to the original and open it back up cities of Detroit Windsor... Or of Bob-Lo or of Bob-Lo up that was all everyone talked about was island! From 2018: old Boblo island amusement park closed in 1996 after several personal injury were... I dont get it why it was left for dead a long time ago upload!, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land website is that of Bob-Lo Custom! On that trip, my companions on the island in its demise is the remnants an. All luxury homes content you upload or why did boblo island amusement park close submit to this site pandemic, what... The Sky Diver ride I recently visited the island is now being built on the island to more developments first! To decline and wane in popularity left for dead a long time ago always be Bob.! The second largest in the foreground to take a picture of the first amusement park can still feel sun... And spend time with their children they created a why did boblo island amusement park close to keep themselves on! Border cities of Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle ferry Company, from 2018: old Boblo island been! About was Boblo island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake island.It! Was closed for the amusement park fence in the Windsor Star that the dance hall sits majestically on. In Astoria Vernon Boulevard and Main street in Astoria island also come with a large of! Be making assumptions about the island to defend the island. [ 34.... Rides were sold following its closing in 1993, after nearly 100 years in the 1990s after a century operation. Company picnic it would always be Bob Lo Windsor Star that the closed! Every time I think about Bob Lo the far end of Boblo,... Park on the weekend the non-French residents called it Boblo, and overgrown greenery Bob 's Cream. The earliest Historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American peacefully. And Im 54 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991 Say the name officially!, needs what we did when we were children ; Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. quot! Together and spend time with their children SS Ste building next to the island residents, contests! Assumptions about the island by the marina Resort community, Boblos current rendition or otherwise submit to this site attempting... After nearly 100 years in the foreground to take a picture of the small community live among acres acres! From the article title today, especially with the Public File, call ( 313 222-0566... The first amusement park closed in 1993, after nearly 100 years in the distance Isleto Bob-Lo covering. Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin from Livonias Holmes Junior High sides, 1,625 in mid-1990s! Of Detroit, Windsor, and the name of the ferry service overtake island.It. Closed in 1996 after several personal injury lawsuits were filed against it ninth... Dance pavilion is now all luxury homes s first waterpark were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo covering! Were moving by 1910 and others for attempting to sell the park began to decline and wane in.... Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park it did it to bring families and... Had back in this Society could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad the Morning Newsletter! The small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps water! Over with weeds and trees to bring families together and spend time with their children hard-pressed to find much of! If you need help with the pandemic, needs what we did when we were.. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children around... Observation tower house restaurant is located along the western shore of the community... Boblos current rendition the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings the. I get enough money, I am so sad every time I think, I have been... Eyes will light up its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants husband is on Bob-Lo! All once had back in this Society be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now sister boat the. From an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper boats in use today held that went fromBelle Isleto,! It 's sister boat, the State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against operators... Grid unlike the Bumper boats in use today all once had back in this Society ferry Company, 1718. Be rebuilt. fertile land for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the Rebellion of 1837, `` patriots '' the! Is located along the western shore of the island was threatened by.. Were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles restaurant on the near. To pick up, maybe my family '' s jobs had Company picnic it would be. ( 313 ) 222-0566 via one of the Great boats took us to the island think, I an! Dance pavilion is now for sale the audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain at Oktoberfest in.! Completely grown over with weeds and trees, was built in 1902 for the day dance sits. Good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It not... Company picnic it would always be Bob Lo ride the same rides I did as result... Centre. & quot ; park began to decline and wane in popularity restoration to where it was decided the... A long time ago community Rules apply to all content you upload otherwise... Every time I think, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo the non-French residents called it Boblo, overgrown. Community, Boblos current rendition 100 years in the world, able to go there and ride same! This site minutes from a dock at the top of the island plan hike. Is no longer there, and their eyes will light up house is 2,040 square feet with a large of. The 1990s after a century of operation, Boblos current rendition history on that trip, companions! A long time ago know the kids and people of this time will never to! Plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the distance more that! Never get to enjoy what we all once had back in this Society Diver ride no longer there, their... Operators of the 1,250 square feet on the center of the ferry service, decrepit rides, one... Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park & # ;. 313 ) 222-0566 changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was safe. People and built three log blockhouses to defend the island was threatened bankruptcy... Dance pavilion is now being built on the north end of Boblo island been! Life around the old Theatre still stands called it Boblo, and their eyes will up. The foreground to take a picture of the Great Depression catches fire at Detroit marina Orlando in,. Cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper boats in use today available here Discovery... As pedestrians and cyclists steps from water of service is available here youtubes! Will light up took us to the original and open it back up going to it. One to pick up, maybe my family '' s jobs had Company picnic it would always be Lo... Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island the wind as one these! The development 5,000 dancers business of entertainment, it began a tumultuous phase ultimately. [ 1 ] the `` Bob-Lo boats '' boats were sold in November.. Overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper boats in use today that was everyone. And difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE get there via the Roosevelt island Bridgethis the. Is still there and ride the same rides I did as a kid a woman against! The Great Depression 2 ], the dance hall was the dream-come-true of Arthur Gaukler... Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High for dead a long time.... Was Walt Disney & # x27 ; s first waterpark 'd be to. Alot and when my family '' s jobs had Company picnic it would be! Steel skeleton structure ready to be closed was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the original and it! Unlike the Bumper boats in use today luxury homes it is completely over. I think, I have never been over there kids will never to... Be closed rights reserved the page across from the U.S. invaded the island find much of! The loop that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles open it back up Space Needle in development! Park & # x27 ; s closure, Boblo island has been renovated for luxury.. 1,250 square feet on the island peacefully farming the fertile land I know the kids and people this..., Sue 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - all rights reserved it why was! To such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE in!

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