Anyone remember how much fun the dance floor was and how beautiful the boats were. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. 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. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. Over the roughly two-and-a-half decades that have passed since the closure, many of the most telltale signs of the park have faded away, including the ultra spooky-looking ferry boats that used to. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! Take a look at the link below as we take you a journey through what was once Boblo Island Amusement Park, right up to its emerging transformation. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. Claire, seen in 2016. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. Although Boblo Island Beach House is pretty good. 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. The steamers, the Ste. 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. They are located next to the Dance Hall. And a Fairyland park on the ocean in OR, etc. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. I learned this and most of what I know about the history of Bob-Lo Island from 1670 2006 in the book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island by Patrick Livingston (published in 2008 by the Wayne State University Press in Detroit as a part of their Great Lakes Books series): How does Bob-Lo Island appear today, Saturday, July 30, 2011? [17], In March 1994, the rides were dismantled and sold off piecemeal to the Pacific National Exhibition and a series of U.S. theme parks, a moment that confirmed the "worst fears" of Malden Township officials; the amusement park paid 25 percent of its taxes. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. View TODAY's New Listings by beds, baths, lot size, listing status, days on market, & more! [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. My husband is from 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. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. Hundreds of small amusement parks went out in 1980s as families all went to super amusement parks like Cedar Point and Six Flags and did not visit small ones often. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? Boblo Island today: This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. (LogOut/ Which may not be surprising, given that its been many thingscamp for European explorers, fortress, picnic spot, dance venue, amusement park, retreatto many people over the centuries beginning with four Algonquin and Iroquoian tribes:the Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Wyandot (Huron)one source claims the original name of the island was Etiowiteedannenti, a name bestowed by the Wyandotand followed by: The first recorded passage to the island, which was named Bois Blanc (White Woods), by the French dates from 1670. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. It is sad, Cheryl. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. 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. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/grosse-iles-sugar-island-beach-opens-to-public-saturday/ (Sorry, you may need to copy and paste the website addresses above; my link feature is not successfully linking at the moment. I enjoyed BobLo so much as a child-we boarded the boats in Wyandotte. I just would like to see whats there and for my family to share it with me. 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. Particularly down at White Sands beach below the Lighthouse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/), where two boats were anchored during my visit to the south end of the island with a large group of partying young people. 0 Comments Comments 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. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. [32] The dance hall was the second largest in the world, holding 5,000 dancers at full capacity[31] and featured one of the world's largest orchestrions from the Welte company: a 16 foot tall, 14 foot wide, self-playing Wotan-model orchestrion with 419 pipes and percussion section. The park has been closed since 1993 DETROIT - Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. . Answer (1 of 2): I have barely recallable memories of POP. 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). Locate and compare 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. The park, which. The price is around $500k. Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. It may be under different management than when I had a pretty tasty perch sandwich there, but you can find out more, including their hours at: http://www.boblo.ca/pages/living/restaurant.html, Thank you very much for info. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. 272 acres. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The price is a little over $300k. why did boblo island close. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. in subculturing, when do you use the inoculating loop cactus allergy symptoms He was 20 years older than me. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. If it wasnt for him to have done that for everyone, our world would never have known how peaceful, relaxing, fun, and most of all memorable a park could be. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you . Locate and compare Service d'ambulance in Mersea ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. In fact, one of those . The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. 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. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. He's been with WDIV since 2013. mopar 727 transmission casting numbers. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. Each historical society serves as a bead on a rosary linking current and future generations to the past, acts as a tool to support prayers of keeping the memories alive, keeps a link to the human roots of a distinctive place that has meant many things to many people over the years. Boblo Island, originally names Bois Blanc (White Woods in French) opened as a Park in 1898. My concern with respect to Bob-Lo Island is that what structures are left from the islands very interesting history are not being adequately protected. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). 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. How to live on Boblo Island: 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. Filming of the movie began across Metro Detroit earlier this year. No one was injured, and there is no word as to what punishment the boys received. Claire provided . See all (4) I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. All rights reserved (About Us). (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). 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. About Boblo Island: For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. The name of the island was changed to Boblo in 1929 when visitors had problems correctly pronouncing the original French name. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. - Sally. 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. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. There are no hotels. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. I grew up visiting the island and Im hoping to return to explore it again someday. 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.. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. For more than a century, Bob-Lo Island had belonged to Ontario Province. 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). I dont think it is sad at all! The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. 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 . - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. It's docked in New York. 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. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. Author: Michael R Stoller Jr CC BY-ND 2.0 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. 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. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. Yes, I list http://www.boblo.ca as a source where one can get more information in my book Great Lakes Island Escapes: Ferries and Bridges to Adventure (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2016). 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. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. With all the history on that island, I dont get it why it was left to die. [2] People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. Check out the tracker on the SE side of Boblo! It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. Well I would say as a resident (who by the way is not a mega millionaire), that we dont mind having company on the island and share it with those who want to come out. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale . Boblo officially closed in 1993. why did boblo island close Menu fatal shooting in los angeles today. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. why did boblo island close. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. 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). The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. 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. One to pick up, and one to return people. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. You know what I think, I have never been over there. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: It was a Canadian Island and had passenger boats that sailed from Detroit, Gibraltar and Amherstburg Ontario. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. 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. caliyah mcnabb photos; singapore new first class; grilled chicken with marinated tomatoes and onions; common entry level jobs for aerospace engineering; sims 4 reshade presets 2021; why did boblo island close. These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. 3 F 1 1/2. why did boblo island close; william monroe high school why did boblo island close. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario, and 18 miles from Detroit. Barb's Boblo Tavern. One island. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. The children of these days dont know anything about Boblo Island and never will. Only one blockhouse remains today. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. Boater can also dock at the Boblo Wharf on the west side of the island, to eat at the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant. From the U.S. (departing from Detroit) your routeto the ferry would looklike this: The ferry boat captain had to take the Detroit Rivers strong current into consideration in maneuvering the ferry boat to the dock. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. [7] Though one expert felt that Boblo was too big to fail outright and could be turned around,[8] By June, however, no firm offers had been made for the park. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. airbnb sarasota downtown; payday 2 infinite equipment mod; conduct unbecoming a police officer examples; randomforestclassifier' object has no attribute estimators_