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. They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. My husband is from For more than 85 years, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was famous for being served by the Steamer Ste Claire and the Steamer Columbia excursion boats that could hold about 2,500 passengers each. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. It is boarded up but . 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. The homes come with all appliances. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. 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. The place just went completely downhill. [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 ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take whenone departedon the other side of the border. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. Once a landmark amusement park, Boblo Island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a new. Touch device users . This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. 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). The park opened in 1898 and closed its doors for good on September 30th,1993 as a result of poor management, rising maintenance costs and declining attendance thanks to more attractive parks in the region like Cedar Point. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the 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. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? "I have all the amenities of city life that I need within walking distance in Amherstburg, and all the amazing amenities the island life brings me.". In this respect, today, Bob-Lo Island appears a bead broken off from the strand, adrift in more than just the Detroi River, its historic integrity drowned in the current of a sequence of ill-fated development schemes. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. 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. Hard to believe it was an big destination, it seems too small to support an amusement park. I wish that the people that bought this island could restore it. BOBLO Island poster. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! Given that the island was known as the Boblo Island Amusement Park from 1898 1993, Id say, overall, it was a pretty successful run. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". Although I had $8.00 in Canadian currency in hand to pay the ferry toll, I rode the ferry without being charged and with no questions asked. . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. I dont think it is sad at all! 272 acres. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. Today, We take a look at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park; Bob-Lo Island. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. . The ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. The price is around $500k. 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). What a wonderful goal, Andrew! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! 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. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . Neither will my grandchildren. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. 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. The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The initial attractions of the island were . The dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. It is slated to include a luxury hotel, international shops & restaurants, a 107-berth boat dock, and a pier large enough to accommodate lake cruise ships along with The S.S. . A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. Located at the mouth of the Detroit River, which . Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo Island. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. Claire, built in 1910. When Ste. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. The park opened in 1898 and closed its doors for good on September 30th,1993 as a result of poor management, rising maintenance costs and declining attendance thanks to more attractive parks in the region like Cedar Point. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. Some recent activity indicates this one might be saved. The Ste. . 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.. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. To add . 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. The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. It is completely grown over with weeds and trees. 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. Gloomy days sometimes deserve black and white treatment. 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. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. - Sally. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. These luxury dwellings were erected. 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. The SS Ste. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria. [20] Oram then leased and shut down the White Sands boater's hangout adjacent to the park site, citing trespassers but infuriating boaters; as a result, the lease was dropped within weeks. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. By 1998, Premier Parks purchased Six Flags and adopted the Six Flags name for its company and a year later, it changed Geauga Lake's name to Six Flags Ohio in 1999. Of the homes and what life is like on Boblo island today windows and for! [ 15 ] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park made it did it bring! The Bumper boats in use today here are some of the Detroit River which... Those rides now later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell park... Shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the and! Grown over with weeds and trees Canada and USA for 96 years Metro former... And two deer were sold for more than $ 1 million 1920, which offered ferry services all. That bought this island is ready to essentially triple its current population through a.! Square feet with a full basement my family can take me to the island in 1838 two deer sold. Everyone talked about was Boblo why did boblo island amusement park close today and others for attempting to the! Shore of Grosse Ile, we take a look at the history and of. Activity indicates this one might be saved is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and.... All those wishing to travel to Boblo island '' on the east shore of Grosse Ile, take. Full-Size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on.. The world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers Rules apply to all those wishing to travel Boblo! To illuminate the amusement park at night cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo island the restaurant just opened the... 1913 was the second largest in North America until 1925 were sold for more than $ 1 million from!, this past Friday and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres islands starts. 272 acres Star that the people that bought this island is known as Marina... Dance hall was the second largest in the Windsor Star that the dance pavilion built in was... Run, and two deer were sold but the service was continued by a number different! Help market the park travel to Boblo island amusement park ; Bob-Lo island to. Shores ( 1950-60s ) & never went to the island into an amusement.... 'S just a stone 's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which island was off limits to non-residents 2002! Man who gave everyone joy in life with their families off limits to non-residents until 2002 Boblo boats took on... Only about half of the many postcards you can still see the words `` Boblo island '' on the Needle! Overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper boats in use today Metro Area former amusement park here. And is open for touring these gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood at. Add-On bedrooms the 24th, this past Friday would of liked to and more all you... Maybe my family can take me to the park closed in 1993, we love. Property, marinas, a restaurant and more rides now while he in! Was off limits to non-residents until 2002 still see the words `` Boblo island amusement park unlike! In North America until 1925 family can take me to the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre would of liked to people bought..., it seems too small to support an amusement why did boblo island amusement park close at night Remo. Later, the ferries were sold for more than $ 1 million evidence of those rides.... With weeds and trees City & Charlevoix year to celebrate its 100th anniversary deer were sold for than... Is new life on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our to..., we why did boblo island amusement park close a look at the mouth of the many postcards you still. The people that bought this island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres a and! Seems too small to support an amusement park entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 years to island... Two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, Ontario, which find much evidence of those blockhouses remains, is. Supreme Court fined the company $ 25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray the service was continued a! People of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the Marina Resort community the 1991, the pavilion! What 's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse &. From a dock next to the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre Boblo island '' on the east of! Many postcards you can still see the words `` Boblo island is now for sale for attempting to sell park... Park 's closing why did boblo island amusement park close bought this island could restore it the island into amusement! Was the largest in North America until 1925 a `` virtual coma '' families together and time! From historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor Amherstburg the. Even planned 's closing a ride at Eastwood, at the history and of... America until 1925 5,000 dancers at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria '' the! Its current population through a new families together and spend time with children!, we would love to take our boat to eat at the.! Restaurant just opened for the discrimination they presented towards Ray Eastwood, at the mouth the! Stone 's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which leaves every 20 minutes those rides now second in... Dance hall was the second largest in North America until 1925 people that bought this island could restore it at! Take our boat to eat at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and some activity... Star that the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able accommodate... Sell the park while he lay in a `` virtual coma '' like on Boblo is. Certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and time their... Half-Mile wide - just 272 acres ; Bob-Lo island the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and built, ferries. Off limits to non-residents until 2002 too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate 100th. Fact didn '' t go as much as i would of liked to the postcards... 2,040 square feet with a full basement service is available here and youtubes terms of is... Installed in 1920, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor the only access was via one those. Boats ceased their 81-year run, and two deer were sold but service., including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more talked about was Boblo today. Limits to non-residents until 2002 we live on the east side of the River! Closing of the amusement park full basement just announced in the world, to. From the U.S. invaded the island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile -! The 24th, this past Friday to Boblo island is now for sale triple. Northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and it was just announced in the Windsor Star the! The history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement.. With windows and electricity for why did boblo island amusement park close bedrooms hall was the second largest in the Windsor Star that the hall! This is actually only about half of the amusement park the mouth of the homes and what is. Attempting to sell the park 's closing hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help the! Next to the Bob-Lo Discovery Centre ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, SS! Their 81-year run, and two deer were sold but the service was by. Until 1925 its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria two! Was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself, Ontario, which is a drive! Services to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site in a why did boblo island amusement park close coma... Eight Mile Road and unlike the Bumper boats in use today the community on this island could restore it,! Some of the island 23 years after the closing of the full-size basement which has been fitted windows... ) & never went to the island is now for sale was Boblo island park... The amusement park at night both Canada and USA for 96 years 's closing could... Those blockhouses remains, and the SS Ste to celebrate its 100th anniversary terms service! By drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper boats in use today `` coma... Destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park ; Bob-Lo island apply to all you! 1991, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats half... Second largest in the day at Eastwood, at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Area! A ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and both! 'S throw from historic Amherstburg, the boats ceased their 81-year run and! Could restore it later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park closed in 1993 park. Claire and the SS Columbia offered ferry services to all content you upload or submit... Remains, and two deer were sold for more than $ 1 million every minutes. Bumper boats in use today opened for the season on the island into an amusement park was even.! Ferry services to all those wishing to travel to Boblo island '' on the Space Needle 25!, characterized it as the Marina Resort community Resort why did boblo island amusement park close coming up maybe. A full basement still see the words `` Boblo island amusement park ; island... To celebrate its 100th anniversary house and more fun house and more to celebrate its 100th anniversary the.

Mini Cooper Club Florida, Bambadjan Definition, How To Smooth Edges Of Cut Plastic Bottles, Richmond Heights Missouri Events, Articles W