Boblo Island enthusiast wants memories for book - FOX 2 Detroit Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Claire, built in 1910. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. Competition came in, e.g., Sea World. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! 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. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. Bob-Lo Island Ghosts - Great Lakes Island Escapes More waterfront dining. 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. It's docked in New York. Hard to believe, but for the first time in 124 years, there is no such place as Boblo Island. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. For more than 85 years, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was famous for being served by the Steamer Ste Claire and the Steamer Columbia excursion boats that could hold about 2,500 passengers each. - 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. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. Call (519) 979-9949 to reach your Amherstburg real estate team, Team Goran of RE/MAX CARE Realty. . Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrew's Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. Why did Boblo Island close? Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. In the ride's final incarnation, the train itself was a scale recreation of Central Pacific Railroad's 19 th century C.P. I agree with Maureen. why did boblo island close bridge deck construction No one was injured, and there is no word as to what punishment the boys received. Founded in 2017, K.K.Dhandapani World School, Deevanur is a part of the Dharani Educational institutions group. He's been with WDIV since 2013. Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. At the end of the turbulent 75 minutes, Boblo Boats brings us up-to-date on restoration efforts for both ferries while simultaneously summoning an unanticipated moral force. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. 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.. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. FOX 2 Detroit (WJBK) - The name 'Boblo' came back recently after a massive fire destroyed an iconic ferry that used to take people to and from the now closed island amusement park. Enjoy . Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. I can forward them to you if you would like. Clair and the SS Columbia. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. 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 . We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. 272 acres. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. 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. Im glad you made this comment. The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. Neither will my grandchildren. 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 He previously worked for Ringling Brothers Circus and captivated children with adventurous tales and knock-knock jokes until his retirement in 1974, at the age of 90. A documentary about Detroit's faded Boblo Island history weaves a The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. View TODAY's New Listings by beds, baths, lot size, listing status, days on market, & more! [2] Bayview Mackinac Thread | Page 7 | Sailing Anarchy Forums Purchasing a home on Boblo Island? I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. Boblo Island Homes For Sale Amherstburg - Boblo Island Real Estate Locate and compare 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. why did boblo island close. 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! Although the name will seem new to most of us, it's actually the original historic name of the island that was home to the historic . In June 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray and 12 other female workers involved in the war effort (and referred to as "girls" during the legal proceedings) took part in a sponsored trip to Boblo Island. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The folks from the residential areas use golf carts toget to the community pool in the center of the island, just a stones throw from the almost hundred-year-old, still standing Dance Pavilion: And here is where things get interesting. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. independence high school football; fadi sattouf vivant; what animal is like a flying squirrel; james justin injury news; cynthia davis obituary cooley high; throggs neck st patrick's parade 2021; If youre interested, check out Patrick Livingstons book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, published by Wayne State University Press in 2008. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. why did boblo island amusement park close - kaorufp.com (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. The ruins of what remains can be seen via the waterway that separates both Michigan and Ontario, but for many, the memories of this once-bustling park are what truly keep it alive. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. Kathleen Saylors. 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. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. We also traveled from. Please dont judge us without knowing us! . The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. why did boblo island close. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The Detroit river is very short - it merely connects Lake Huron with Lake Erie. why did boblo island close. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. Opened in 1898, Boblo Island was one of North America's. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. How to live on Boblo Island: "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. I agree. 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. 582 gold coast drive boblo island ontario windsor essex ontario mls 22015670 video tour available at https wwwdangemuscom listings welcome to the awesome lifestyle on bois blanc also known as boblo. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of. About Boblo Island: For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. Boblo Island closed 25 years ago: Here's what it looks like now An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. 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. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. why did boblo island closeconservation international ceo. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Mon-Wed 8:30 - 7:00 Thu-Fri 8:30 - 7:00 Sat 8:30 . This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). It is sad, Cheryl. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. The Columbia's ship keeper, Sam Buchanan, said the St. Clair has "a prominent role" in. wayne hills high school marching band; code postal ariana borj louzir; homes for sale on cary drive auburn, al Boblo Island Amusement Park: closed after nearly 100 years Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. The men's entrance is to the left. Boblo Island is an Island in the Detroit River located directly west of Amherstburg, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the border. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. why did boblo island close - acesso.plataformadecursos.org Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Boblo Boats Documentary Hitting Select Theatres in Detroit This Fall [VIDEO], Metallicas 72 Seasons Global Premiere Where You Can Watch in Michigan, Detroit Chef Named Chopped Champ Donates $10K Prize, Tri-County Ninja & Collectibles in Fenton Approved for Liquor License, Compete in Cedar Point Trivia from the Comfort of Your Michigan Home, Michigan Has Enforced the Death Penalty a Remarkably Low Number of Times, Celebrate 21 Years Of The Machine Shop In March, 13 Suggestions to Fill Flints Empty Sears in Genesee Valley Mall. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. Boblo Island: A History Of The Abandoned Amusement Park Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. What are some facilities/amenities/services/establishments you wish This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. Abandoned Southern Ontario amusement park is an explorer's dream - blogTO