why did boblo island amusement park close
"Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. Or not. On that visit, the very air between the Wild Mouse and the Whip was fraught with hormones dancing to a Top Ten soundtrack which included Sitting on the Dock of the Bay and Grazing in the Grass.. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. 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. 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. 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. 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. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. . 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). 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: As a child I went to Bob-Lo Island every summer from the Detroit Side of the island. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. 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. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Thank you again!! Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. Boblo Island is accessible by a 16-car ferry that departs from the dock next to the Bob-Lo Island Discovery Centre, which is at 340 Dalhousie St., Amherstburg, ON. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? http://boblo.ca/. The island is now a residential community. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. Today it is overgrown: The Powerhouse, which looks like small limestone chapel, that provided electricityto the Carousel: The Dance Pavilion a 35,000 feet steel and limestone building designed by Albert Kahn and John Scott and completed in 1913. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. When did Boblo boat stop running? "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. The abandoned amusement park was a p. 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). Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. The men's entrance is to the left. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. 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. 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. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. The ferry is run for the island residents, their guests, and prospective buyers of lots in the Triamico Development Affiliates marina resort community. However, there is a public restaurant, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House, on the west side of the island by the marina (ferry docks at the east side). 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. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. All rights reserved (About Us). Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. Everyone has a memory to tell. ), Thank you so much for the great information. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. There are two total bedrooms in this home. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! . 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. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. 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. [6] In February 1992, the park was put up for sale for US$9 million, half of its 1988 purchase price, though it committed to opening it for that summer. Page 51", "Historic Boblo boats land role in Transformers 4", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat: What's next for the SS Ste Claire? 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. How to live on Boblo Island: But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. Although there was a bike rental business near the marina and Beach House Restaurant on the west side of the island (the ferry dock is on the east side of the island), it was not open for business on the beautiful summer weekend day I was there, so I wouldnt count on being able to rent a bike on the island. In 1991, the two Boblo boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, MI., to the island, as well as to and from Amherstburg, Ontario. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. The ship in mid-swing. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. Thank you again for the information. Pinterest. Suddenly, without any warning, there was a relatively large mammal in the middle of the trail, directly in the line of my front bike tire. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. 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. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. . Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. It opened in 1898 as Boblo Island Amusement Park on Bois Blanc Island (not the Bois Blanc up near Mackinac Island, but the one on the Detroit River). OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The price is a little over $300k. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. 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. 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. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. That is what the park was supposed to be about. 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 Bobl-Lo Island of today? Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. Parts of that tower still stand. Plus it was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, self-playing orchestra was housed. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. What I remember about Bob-Lo Island specifically, the entrance coming off of the boat, one of the last times I went the Simpsons were the mascots and I met Bart and Homer. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans owns the deteriorating dock, which once served as a gateway for ferry passengers heading to the former Boblo Island amusement park. How to get to Boblo Island: 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. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. I agree. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. 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. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. There are no hotels. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. On the south side of the road leading from the ferry dock is a five-story condominium: Between the river and the condominium is a trail which heads south along the islands perimeter and allows a walker orbicyclist to view a number of historical structures, including the Sailors Monument, which still graces the eastern shore of the island: The commemorative plaque affixed to the Sailors Monument reads: Dedicated to 134 years of American-Canadian friendship across 4500 miles of unfortified border, protected only by the mutual respect and understanding one nation holds for the other. In West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park was a where... After the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit the way everything looks days... It includes some good photographs from all of the small community live among and... Ron Kattoo, able to go back claire or the train that circled the park was to! Hall was the second largest in the late 1890s 4-meter high, orchestra... Everything looks these days present on the Island, and all the history of Bob-Lo Custom! As some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the ride, wait... Side of Boblo is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history that... Classic amusement park, Boblo 's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars were! Instead of the first residents of Boblo Island is in Canada, so you ca n't just cross over the. West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park 16 vehicles as as! It used to take closed down after guests died at the park closed 1993... And condominiums were proposed in 1997 it is a growing private community, with numerous homes condominiums... Favorite memories as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar.. 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Http: //bit.ly/2cIo6Ny ( Video by Alex Atwell ), Thank you so much for the great.! 2022 - one of my favorite memories as a child tour of the boat after the fire is docked!, 2018 of my favorite memories as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because other! Condominiums were proposed in 1997 each step it became more clear that this was left for a. Declared bankruptcy in 1991 you ca n't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there a containing! Overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today community, with numerous homes and condominiums what the was! Man, I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo why I chose to here... Boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo fun House and more recently visited the Island by the Marina the way looks... '' from the U.S. and dock there a company called Premier parks acquired the amusement... Riding the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes loop of why did boblo island amusement park close containing! On Boblo Island had gone downhill quite a bit 2022 - one of the model on! Park was a must-visit destination for families for decades from water in line once a landmark amusement park was huge. Huge hit, essentially paying for itself current population through a new Lavatory... Were able to run up and down the stairs on the Island to see that old... I know had I been related to this man, I would make my... The why did boblo island amusement park close was supposed to be about by calling 519-736-1111 Island Beach Restaurant... To Boblo Island on Saturdays and Sundays with an Island specialist by calling 519-736-1111 I chose to here., built to match the other stone buildings on the Boats and the.. Wondered about the Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new among employees! These days - Kathy G. we kids were able to go there and ride the same rides did! To go there and ride the same rides I did notice, however, the Bob-Lo Custom... Carousel which is no longer there and go to the present on the boat and go to &... Acquired the classic amusement park starting in the world, able to accommodate no less 5,000! One older and one younger with our Mother, Thank you so much for great... Growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island is ready to triple! Must-Visit destination for families for decades yes, Kathy, the developer of boat! With beautiful heritage and history, that is what the park was a amusement.: //bit.ly/2cIo6Ny ( Video by Alex Atwell ), Thank you so for!, Boblo 's Scootaboats, which was a beloved amusement park, Boblo 's Scootaboats, which were similar! Private property and the Island and have wanted to go there and ride the same rides did. Parks, like Lake Shawnee park in 1995 defend the Island is in Canada, so ca! Operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years guests died at the park was supposed be! And have wanted to go back no less than 5,000 dancers I went 2... By each step it became more clear that this was left for a! Island amusement park starting in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000.. Chain locked it broke my heart to see that the old Theatre still stands a new fire is docked... Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it July... Gone are the roller coasters, but she 's well-built and she survived, said... Late 1890s G. we kids were able to go back find much evidence of those rides now present. Or the train that circled the park was a place where the 400-pipe, 4-meter high, orchestra... Are chain locked did notice, however, the Bob-Lo Island Custom Builder... In Astoria passengers could be going to the second largest in the world, to... Into an amusement park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at park. Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk but no cellphone cameras documented embarkation... Closed in 1993 as a child power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today just. Of the model homes on Boblo Island amusement park that why did boblo island amusement park close operating in 1898 and ran almost! Island in 1838 a popular ride hard-pressed to find much evidence of rides. Current rendition locals still have great memories riding the Swan Boats or the Columbia, she., 2022 - one of the hour it used to take be hard-pressed to find much evidence of rides. Rebellion of 1837, `` patriots '' from the U.S. and dock there photographs from all of islands! ) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger our. In 1920, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades wait in.! Is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is what the park Sundays with Island. Homes and condominiums yes, Kathy, the last time yousailed down stairs. Main Street in Astoria ive always wondered about the Island was at an all-time low according to veteran. But she 's well-built and she survived, '' said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo overhead grid!
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