Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Required fields are marked *. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. All rights reserved (About Us). Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . It was set on Ontario's picturesque Bois Blanc Island (frequently known as "Boblo Island") and featured everything you could want in a theme park. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was open for nearly 100 years. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. Neither will my grandchildren. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. I found this very useful for Information! 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. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. To add . 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. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. . 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. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. In 1898, the Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company opened up a recreation park on the Detroit River, about 18 miles southwest of Windsor. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. By The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Everyone has a memory to tell. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take whenone departedon the other side of the border. 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. The control room area through broken glass. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. So when we went to the Island, we took a cab to the downtown docks to catch the first boat out and then we would return on the last boat. Pinterest. Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park. steeped in history is open for business. 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. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. The place just went completely downhill. Why is it called Boblo Island? An island in Amherstburg, Ont. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. If you are adventurous and don't mind a difficult climb, you can make a reservation (months in advance) and enter the crown. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. 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. Embark on a CRUISE FROM DETROIT for the first time in decades, Stay the night at this ghostly-looking MICHIGAN CASTLE, SECRET VINTAGE COKE MUSEUM inside a Michigan 50's diner. He was 20 years older than me. Boblo Island was very special. It is not fair that these people can just take away the little bit of history we have left just so they can watch their bank accounts rise. Story by Edward Pevos of MLive Once home to a popular amusement park from 1898 to 1993, Boblo Island in Ontario is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. (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. 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. [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). As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. Larry Benaroya, his associate, and his Northern Capital took control of the property; Mancini was fired, and the ownership group put it back on the market in January 1994. - 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. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel 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 Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. The place is oozing history. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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 park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. 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. 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. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. That was in 1993. 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. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. The SS Ste. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. The amusement was a given. By 1910 the first amusement park rides, the carousel, ponies and a dancing pavillion were available. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. 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why did boblo island amusement park close