They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. 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. Technically speaking, the island was a part of Canada (Bois Blanc Island, Ontario to be exact) but was just a short ferry ride up the Detroit River from the city of Detroit. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. . The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. "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. The native Wyandot called the island "Etiowiteendannenti.Both the Wyandot and French names refer to the white wood appearance lent by the birch and poplar trees that line the banks. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. In the ride's final incarnation, the train itself was a scale recreation of Central Pacific Railroad's 19 th century C.P. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. 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. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. It is sad, Cheryl. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Update: A couple of them were partially restored and used during the filming ofTransformers 4. 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). "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.". The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. We visited Boblo Island 23 years after its amusement park closed - mlive Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant 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). It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. You can also visit Boblo.ca. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. The ship in mid-swing. Boblo Island memories never fade - The News Herald Bob-Lo Island | Detroit Historical Society [2], Though it was not looking for a buyer, the Michigan AAA sold Boblo Island in 1988 to the International Broadcasting Corporation, a Minneapolis-based concern that owned the Harlem Globetrotters and Ice Capades. To the north of the road leading from the ferry dock is a subdivision ofmini-mansions and duplexes, with an emphasis on stone and heavy on Victorian-style turrets. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . 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. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. (LogOut/ Boblo Island Homes For Sale Amherstburg - Boblo Island Real Estate Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. CEC: Closed Canadian Parks - Boblo Island Park - Chebucto Why did Boblo Island amusement park close its doors? - Quora The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. I can forward them to you if you would like. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. 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. I agree. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. If the boat looks familiar, it is not your imagination. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. As a child I went to Bob-Lo Island every summer from the Detroit Side of the island. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. 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The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. In my days they were very comparable although I think Cedar Point was a little larger. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Island: A History Of The Abandoned Amusement Park 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. Comments Off on why did boblo island close; June 9, 2022; why did boblo island close Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Ste. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. An old silent family home movie of a trip to Boblo Island Amusement Park, no longer existing. Boblo Island enthusiast wants memories for book - FOX 2 Detroit The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. The SS Ste. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. Boblo officially closed in 1993. Parts of that tower still stand. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. The name of the island was changed to Boblo in 1929 when visitors had problems correctly pronouncing the original French name. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again.