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). I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. But the partnership soon dissolved into a clash of wills that led to the collapse of the amusement park and a bitter lawsuit. 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. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . The place just went completely downhill. To add . It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. When Ste. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. The audio journey to Mars is etched in my brain! Claire, built in 1910. . The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. BOBLO Island poster. steeped in history is open for business. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. 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. 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). Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. Although I had $8.00 in Canadian currency in hand to pay the ferry toll, I rode the ferry without being charged and with no questions asked. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. To rebuild would be one of lifes pleasures. Officially, Bob-Lo Island is now billed as a Marina Resort Community, but Bob-Lo currently exhibits the most profound split personality of any islandperhaps any placeIve ever been. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. The sociology of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 The sociology of unemployment is an analysis of the experience and governance of unemployment. Your email address will not be published. Heres an article that was in this past Sundays Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development Speaking of Sugar Island, have you heard, as of last year, theres now a public beach there? 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. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. 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. [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. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. . The ship in mid-swing. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. 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). 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). It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. BOBLO ISLAND - The echoes from the screams of delight have long faded from Boblo Island Amusement Park, the Cedar Point of Michigan for most kids growing up in our region. Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. 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. 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. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. The Island is now stripped on most of anything that would resemble an amusement park. ), Thank you so much for the great information. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. One to pick up, and one to return people. Your email address will not be published. How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. 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. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. 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. The control room area through broken glass. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. 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. 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. We dont save anything for history any more. 10. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. Im glad you made this comment. 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. I agree with Maureen. He had hoped to build a bridge to Bob-Lo to eliminate the inconvenience of the boat rides, but he did not realize (or appreciate) that Bob-Lo Island was across an international border from Michigan. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. Which theme park has the most deaths? Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. All Rights Reserved. A tri-plex home. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. Located at the mouth of the Detroit River, which . I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). So sad. 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. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. Thank you again!! One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. 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