2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A retreat for the wealthy, amidst dilapidated remnants of history and ghosts of the past, with nature ever encroaching. 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. 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? We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. As a child I went to Bob-Lo Island every summer from the Detroit Side of the island. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. Many of the other rides are still entertaining guests at parks in Texas, Maryland, British Columbia, and Mexico. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. I can forward them to you if you would like. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. why did boblo island close - academiacardiovascular.com His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. The homes come with all appliances. 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. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. Only one blockhouse remains today. I remember the log ride, where we''d all get wet but would soon dry out running about, the carousel, and of course the roller coaster. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. I am only 12. Boblo Island - Adventures in the Villa [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. Boblo Island today: Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. Boblo Island is an Island in the Detroit River located directly west of Amherstburg, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the border. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Check out the tracker on the SE side of Boblo! It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. Answer: 90% of the time, it's because the parks don't have enough money and/or business to keep up with running costs, and the parks simply close and are left to rot. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Both doors are were chain locked. Bob-Lo Island Ghosts - Great Lakes Island Escapes Why did Boblo Island close? One to pick up, and one to return people. why did boblo island close. Building the lighthouse on the island instead of the shoal presented several advantages: a shorter tower could be used due to the . [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. Before I rode on it on the Island I had gone to a local fair and 3 other girls and I rode together on it and we laughed and really enjoyed it. I had the pleasure of delivering a load of stuffed animals to the Park in the early 1990s, was a trip i will never forget, driving my Freightliner truck and a 48 foot trailer onto the wharf to make the trip across the river in the middle of the night over to the island then driving around the the park, having to stop and wait for the park benches to be moved for me to able to get truck and trailer around the turns stopping here and there to off load these stuffed toys into little electric carts for the arcade games before the park opened the next day, Friday of a May 24 weekend. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. Im glad you made this comment. Bois Blanc Island, former site of the Bob-Lo Island amusement park, is located at southern endof the DetroitRiver before it enters Lake Erie,and is about one-half mile wide and three miles long. The ship in mid-swing. Boblo closed for good in September 1993. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. Huntington. Bois Blanc (Boblo) Island, ON - LighthouseFriends You know what I think, I have never been over there. Filming of the movie began across Metro Detroit earlier this year. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. Locate and compare Service d'ambulance in Mersea ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. Ray was removed from the boat because she was not white, enforced according to a Bob-Lo company policy "excluding so-called 'zoot-suiters', the rowdyish, the rough, and the boisterous, and it also adopted the policy of excluding colored. 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. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. [Meta] Sticky Comment. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? The steamers, the Ste. Everyone has a memory to tell. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. All Aboard: The Fight Against Segregation on Bob-Lo Island This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. . It is sad, Cheryl. Opened in 1898, Boblo Island was one of North America's. Documentary on Boblo Island To Be Shown in West Michigan Theaters Or not. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. The Sky Streak Ride, for example, was moved to Selva Magica, a theme park in Mexico, and the Nightmare was initially moved to Six Flags Houston where it was known as the Mayan Mindbender, only to be moved once again to a theme park in Amarillo, Texas. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who spent summers riding the ferry to Boblo Island, visiting its amusement park or just enjoying a picnic. Find useful information, the address and the phone number of the local business you are looking for. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. Well, it went out of business a long time ago, but we found a few videos of what it looks like today -- check them out here. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. . Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. wayne hills high school marching band; code postal ariana borj louzir; homes for sale on cary drive auburn, al New film floats old memories | wgrz.com The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. They are located next to the Dance Hall. The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. We visited Boblo Island 23 years after its amusement park closed - mlive Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". 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. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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). If the boat looks familiar, it is not your imagination. 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. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. (LogOut/ 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! This is the observation area which would rise to the top. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. 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. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. 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. BARB'S BOBLO TAVERN, Pointe Aux Pins - Tripadvisor The island is now a residential community. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. 559 gold coast 777777 w I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. Questions linger over speed, transparency, impact of Detroit port When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. why did boblo island close - acesso.plataformadecursos.org I vaguely remember going to Boblo Island Amusement Park as a kid and recently found myself wondering what happened to the place. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. [14], The 1993 season proved bumpy and was marred by miscues including disputes with island residents and the Canadian Coast Guard, compounded by the leader of Enchanted Parks, Michael Moodenbaugh, being seriously injured and breaking his spine in a car accident in Toledo, Ohio, in September. The Bob-Lo boats, once looked upon as part of the attraction of going on a trip to Bob-Lo were later being looked at as time wasted that could have been spent at the park. CEC: Closed Canadian Parks - Boblo Island Park - Chebucto It closed for good in 1993, 25 years ago. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. why did boblo island close - ultimaterealestatecalculator.com The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on. Mon-Wed 8:30 - 7:00 Thu-Fri 8:30 - 7:00 Sat 8:30 . Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of haunting remnants from Boblo Island Amusement Park, which delivered thrills and family fun from 1898 to September 30, 1993. airbnb sarasota downtown; payday 2 infinite equipment mod; conduct unbecoming a police officer examples; randomforestclassifier' object has no attribute estimators_ Claire, built in 1910. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. mike smithson tutor perini; ford f 350 ignition switch replacement. Service d'ambulance in Mersea ON | YellowPages.ca The men's entrance is to the left. 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 . Did you work on both the SS Ste. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to 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. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! The living space of the Deerview twin villas. 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). Posted . To rebuild would be one of lifes pleasures. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. I agree; it would be wonderful if the park could be restored or perhaps, reinvented to serve in a new way of bringing community together! Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. 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. One step on the old dock, and I saw an old run-down white platform, no life, no care in worldlike everyone was evacuated and told not to come back. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. 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. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. Built in the early 1900s, the SS Columbia and SS Ste. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON | YellowPages.ca Bayview Mackinac Thread | Page 7 | Sailing Anarchy Forums 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. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: 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. Thank you again for the information. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. Windsor Mayor Arthur John Reaume wanted the island to be designated a National Park. Boblo Island, originally names Bois Blanc (White Woods in French) opened as a Park in 1898.