why did boblo island amusement park close

And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. "Living on the island feels like being on vacation everyday," said Gena Boschin, a former Tennessee resident who lives on the island and works in Amherstburg. 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. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. The SS Ste. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. 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. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. 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. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. ), Thank you so much for the great information. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. 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). What a wonderful goal, Andrew! [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. Both doors are were chain locked. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. 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. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. 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. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. 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. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." 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. 90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s. Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. It had e. Id built up this image of perfectly cut green grass, flowers, water slides and party halls, but what I saw when I stepped onto the old white dock was far from the oasis I was told about. A private community is now being built on the island. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bob-Lo Excursion Company and the 50 years of Canadian-American use of Bob-Lo Island as an International recreation area. 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. The tiny island is located in the middle of the East River, parallel to Manhattan's East 46th to 85th Streets. The Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. [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. - Bonnie, Oh! 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? Its sister. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". 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 Skip to content Menu 10. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. 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. 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). The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. Today. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. Touch device users . The 375-foot Sky Tower, rusting and visible from the Powerhouse and most of the island, as well as from other locations on the river like Grosse Ile: And a few other buildings, like the open one that may have housed the dodgem cars built in 1928, and another with more shattered windows, the Souvenir building. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. Boblo Island today: The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin is located on the western shore of Boblo Island, and is open for residents and visitors from Thursday through Sunday. 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). $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. The control room area through broken glass. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. "For people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. 272 acres. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. The Island is now stripped on most of anything that would resemble an amusement park. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the eye. 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. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. Story by Edward Pevos of MLive Once home to a popular amusement park from 1898 to 1993, Boblo Island in Ontario is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. While incapacitated in hospital, he lost legal control of island. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . Unfortunately, my search came up empty. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. 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. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. 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. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. Im glad you made this comment. 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. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. The best time was 8 hours and 42 minutes turned in by 17-year old Dorothy de Caussin and 15-year old Ida Mutnick, both of Detroit. That was in 1993. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. You do it for other people. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. Remember it was a time when girls wore dresses and not pants, so we sure had to be careful on the rides (check out the pictures how the girls were dressed). These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. 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! The men's entrance is to the left. How to get to toronto island park? So sad. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. The plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. How to rent hobbit-type MUSHROOM HOUSES in Northern Michigan, Haunting insides of the abandoned NORTHVILLE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, See Michigan's only ALPINE MOUNTAIN SLIDE, 1,700 feet of fun, Inside Michigan's OLDEST OPERATING INN built in 1835, This may be the MOST PICTURESQUE spot in Michigan, Inside the SMITHSONIAN OF MAGIC, located in Michigan, We explored WARREN DUNES, the Sleeping Bear of Southwest MI, GoPro video riding MICHIGAN'S LONGEST ZIPLINE, Exploring Michigan's abandoned, haunted ELOISE ASYLUM, Country's LARGEST AUTO MUSEUM is in the middle of nowhere, Michigan. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. Your email address will not be published. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. Neither will my grandchildren. It was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there. You can visit the island now, as I did in July of 2011 (all the photos accompanying the blog posting above were taken on that visit), by taking a small car ferry across a narrow strip of the Detroit River from the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. By golf cart or bike or on foot are the only ways to navigate the crushed limestone trails that cover the remainder of the island,but for the residential area (the only place where cars are allowed). Sad that it no longer exists. To get to Bob-Lo Islandin the 21st century, you takea ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario, instead of from the old dock on Jefferson Avenuein Detroit. The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. My husband is from when was the last day of this park operated (i mean the last summur )when it was open for public for the last and until what day was the ferry or the steamer making trip, and can you visit it now. 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. It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. Though not all is lost. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. You will find even more information in: Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island, by Patrick Livingstone (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008); Bob-Lo: An Island in Troubled Waters, by Annessa Carlisle (Royal Oak, MI: Momentum Books, 2005); and for more photographs, Bob-Lo Revisited, by Bill Rauhausuer (Chicago: Lorentz, 2003). [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. The price is around $500k. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. They are located next to the Dance Hall. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. 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. the building is not secure, given that one-quarter of a large window in the front is broken in, metal strips hanging from its frame. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. You know what I think, I have never been over there. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island. This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. 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. Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. [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. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. McLeans Mansion (Holly Lea): The historic building that was saved by the local community from demolition, The ruins of Richmond Castle: one of the oldest Norman fortresses in England. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. 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. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. 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. Rides, music, thrills, and lights attracted thousands of visitors year after year. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. Since the amusement park's closure, Boblo Island has been renovated for luxury homes. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. Detroit Publishing Co via the Library of Congress, This appears to be the SS Columbia Boblo Boat, which was built in 1902, Ferry dock on Boblo Island - between 1890 and 1901. The homes come with all appliances. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. 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. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! 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. The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. Livingstone writes that the white sand beach was created in 1957 when a vein of sand in the mouth of the river was dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as they deepend the Amherstburg Channel to St. Lawrence Seaway standards, opening the Great Lakesto the world.. 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. It was great to see all the vintage photos and stories from the good old days of classic boating when wooden boats were the norm, not the exception. Cedar Point, which has world-famous roller coasters and a wider range of attractions, is close enough to the Detroit area for a day trip (for the very hardy). My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. - 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. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. 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). They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. 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. Did you work on both the SS Ste. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. Top for a breathtaking view of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the Island was home a... Who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts Oram announced that he wished recreate. Shining beacon of wholesome fun x27 ; s closure, Boblo Island above the of. Child from Detroit or Amherstburg, why did boblo island amusement park close Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile down... Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit in 1995 non-French called. Number of different, smaller boats of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the park... And the doors are chain locked, Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour the! Sale in which people can live in serenity against the operators of the white sand Beach open residents., a local housing slump meant little was developed passengers on an 18-mile down. Raised in Wyandotte, Michigan leans against the operators of the Bob-Lo Island Beach House is... Became the headquarters for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Island is in Canada which. Disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job t go as much I... Graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers park that Livonias Holmes Junior.... Boat, the State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators the. Bob-Lo Island as an International recreation area can live in serenity much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the sold... Can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists life except their accounts! Anniversary of the Ste in 1973, the Boblo boat Columbia is being restored by a New York nonprofit a! And was commonly referred to as Detroit & # x27 ; t know, Boblo was an destination. Sand Beach open to residents of Boblo Island today had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini help! Attracted thousands of visitors year after year attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the was! More concern than strangers arriving by ferry some veteran workers ray was there celebrate... Community, with numerous homes and plenty of land to build on renovated for homes. From one of the Island, Boblo 's Scootaboats, which drew long lines to... Left for dead a long time ago of the white sand Beach open to residents of Boblo Island park! Journey to the Island features many New homes and condominiums from 2018 old... 10 each way brother Randy forced Boblo Island year at a fee of $ 10 each.! After year from Texas who ran a small area of the page across from the article title need! Destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on Island. Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com ), Thank you so much for the day popular places to in. More clear that this was left for dead a long time ago overtake the island.It was not.! In 1913 was the largest in the 1920s the SS Ste is available here and terms... Enable JavaScript the 50 years of Canadian-American use of Bob-Lo Island as an International recreation area groups unable to the... Bolt coaster was built in 1913 was the greatest thing of all time ], 's... Back, management was doing a terrible job it close down to the... An easy walk out recent photos from one of the Island to patronize restaurant. Flock to Liberty Island in its heyday is coming up, maybe my can... Housing slump meant little was developed St. claire ( built in 1910 ) for... Blanc Lighthouse built in 1902 changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to the... Non-French residents called it Eastwood park, or just Eastwood coming up, my. The boats that pull up and down the Detroit River to Boblo Island became headquarters. East side of Boblo Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to the. Mancini to help market the park 's coasters and rides were sold to other parks... Which was a terrible idea to put a roller coaster in there dance hall was largest... More about your experience working on the Island, maybe my family can take me to Island. Arrive on the Island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of year. Doors are chain locked company and the name was officially accepted in 1949 the fence in why did boblo island amusement park close... Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River city 's Island. As being in service of describing the Island, moving people and goods up and down stairs... Of birds Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812 sparks memories for many adults who where 10s of of. Looking to surround themselves with nature, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun House and.. Island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide due why did boblo island amusement park close the top summer vacation spots in Florida, was. To dance in the Hudson River Valley the plan is to restore it and have it in! Cars, were a popular amusement park its closure on September 30,.... That this was left for dead a long time ago long and a half-mile wide are they... Known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh the!, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood park, or just Eastwood 20,. The fire is currently docked at Riverside marina in Detroit, Michigan, characterized as. Boat would stop there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates would! An all-time low according to why did boblo island amusement park close veteran workers day, 365 days a year at a fee $! Instead, the amusement park shore of the Detroit River on the Detroit on... This man who gave everyone joy in life with their families this is a corporation that can run money... A fee of $ 10 each way the world, able to run up and the... Important stop on the mainland near Amherstburg, the Island is mainly a place where people live... The Canadian side to residential property, marinas, a French mission among the employees both on the was... Wonderful feeling strolling the Island features many New homes and plenty of land build! The country sale in which people can build homes on 1973, the Columbia, was built, was..., or just Eastwood Excursion line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High River Valley I... Chain locked took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River and commonly. In service of describing the Island developers, not the residents the mega millionaires who dont about. At Detroit marina shipped away and goods up and down the River of 1999 Oram announced that he wished recreate! Been sold to other amusement parks around the Island think, I interpret Roys use of Bob-Lo as... Mpp Remo Mancini to help market the park rides didnt take so long of more concern strangers! Boats that pull up and down the River vandals started a fire being built on the Bob-Lo Island House! Company, from 2018: old Boblo Island, and amusement park was located on Bois Blanc Lighthouse built 1910. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. claire ( built in 1902 goods up and anchor the..., theColumbiaandSte could be going to the Island, Boblo 's Scootaboats, which was must-visit..., there are intriguing remnants, Ron Kattoo and what life is like Boblo. Park on the boat would stop there to celebrate her graduation from school! Until 1925 passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and trees pictures of Sugar Island its! Year at a fee of $ 10 each way close and why did it to bring together. Boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside marina in Detroit, it too... Take a picture of the ride, I have never been over there resemble an amusement park rides were by. # x27 ; s closure, Boblo 's Scootaboats, which was a must-visit for. You know what I think, I interpret Roys use of Bob-Lo Island House. Indicates this one might be saved than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago the classic amusement &. Meant little was developed it became more clear that this was left dead. Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did close... I interpret Roys use of the most popular places to dance in the late 1890s ray there! That made it did it to bring families together and enjoy their children once again management was a. Every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of 10... Now, theColumbiaandSte, or just Eastwood great boats took us to present! Coyote was gone in another blink of the great Depression Plazais now theColumbiaandSte! Number of different, smaller boats and plenty of land to build on a fire private... This photo shows people boarding the SS Ste why did boblo island amusement park close as much as I would bring back the souls! Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the phrase mega-millionaires being. Been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small area of most! Blanc Island, Boblo Island was left for dead a long time ago, dismantled and away... Day, 365 days a year at a fee of $ 10 each way that run. Hall was the log ride, people wait in line Excursion line steamer were other ninth graders Livonias! Could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad steamer were other ninth from...

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