One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. Claire, seen in 2016. Today, We take a look at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park; Bob-Lo Island. Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park. 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. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". "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.". 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. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. Sad that it no longer exists. . The abandoned amusement park was a p. Once the island closed, the boats sat abandoned for years. 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. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. 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). Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. 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. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. [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 restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. 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. Flags at the Amherstburg Dock. 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. DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. It was set on Ontario's picturesque Bois Blanc Island (frequently known as "Boblo Island") and featured everything you could want in a theme park. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. 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. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration, Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, A glass blower puts on a demonstration in the craftsmen's area - 1970s, A child takes a spin on a ride at Boblo Island - 1970s. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. Can you go over to the island any time? The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. Of more concern than strangers arriving by ferry would be the boats that pull up and anchor around the island on summer days. This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. 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. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. 272 acres. 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). On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. 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. Touch device users . I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. . This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. The price is a little over $300k. 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. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. The island has quite an interesting history. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: Electric Park was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. 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. Founded in 1906, it was located on the Detroit River just west of the Belle Isle Bridge, an area that's now Gabriel Richard Park. 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.. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. I do hope that someone will come along and restore the park back to its prime, so we can get families and the community back together again, and we can share our memories with the generations to come. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . "It's not the exact layout of Boblo Island," Kevin says in the documentary. 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. At one time, the amusement was one of the top summer vacation spots in Florida. Your email address will not be published. But, when I get enough money, I am going to restore it to the original and open it back up. Neither will my grandchildren. 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). (From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina), BOBLO BOAT TOUR: Take a video tour of the historic boat that traveled the Detroit River for 81 years. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? The control room area through broken glass. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. To get to Bob-Lo Island in the 21st century, you take a ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario, instead of from the old dock on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. [9] The loss of the Detroit ferry service dented attendance severely in the 1992 season, which along with poor weather caused the park to miss its attendance goal. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. - Sally. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. The boat was taken to Toledo on Tuesday. 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. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was open for nearly 100 years. There are just two ways in and out of the island. Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of. Potentially, it could become a wedding reception hall or hotel. In 1898, the Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company opened up a recreation park on the Detroit River, about 18 miles southwest of Windsor. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. - LJ. Feb 11, 2022 - One of my favorite memories as a child. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. 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. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. - 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. The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. Embark on a CRUISE FROM DETROIT for the first time in decades, Stay the night at this ghostly-looking MICHIGAN CASTLE, SECRET VINTAGE COKE MUSEUM inside a Michigan 50's diner. 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. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. 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. Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. By It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. My husband is from It was finally decided in 1949 to officially re-name the island and the park Bob-Lo, in a matter of simplification (today it is still referred to by both names on maps of the area). 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). 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. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. 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. 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. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. However, due to lack of demand, the park closed in 2001 and never reopened. You can also visit Boblo.ca. 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. From 1898 to 1993, the park was a summer staple for Detroit families. BOBLO Island poster. 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. Watch. 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. This was particularly true during the Great Depression and the World War II era, when finances were tight and the world seemed to exist in a perpetual state of anxiety. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. He's been with WDIV since 2013. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. 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. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. 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. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. In its early years, [1] Henry Ford financed a dance hall that was rumored to have been designed and built by famed Detroit architect Albert Kahn,[31] but was later determined to have been designed by John Scott. By 1920 the famous amusement ride, the Whip was installed on the island and the first season alone paid for the maintenance and the purchase of the ride. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. This year, I hear theres an ice cream concession, Captain Bobs on the island (http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit). It is sad, Cheryl. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. The Nightmare (ride), Falling Star, Wild Mouse, Sky Streak and Screamer were the signature rides. 2y Guy Adelini One of my favorite rides! 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 . Today. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. Clair and the SS Columbia. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. 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 homes come with all appliances. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. The ship in mid-swing. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. Everyone has a memory to tell. Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. 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. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. 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? 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. 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. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! Unfortunately, my search came up empty. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. There are two total bedrooms in this home. 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. 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. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. How to get to Boblo Island: [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. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. It was awesome place. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. Each held about 2,500 passengers. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. . Though not all is lost. Claire, built in 1910. The Human Spinning Rotor or simply "The Rotor" was invented by a German scientist, Ernst Hoffmeister, and was financially supported by businessman Carl Friese. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. . After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships - the oldest in America - awaken from a deep slumber to find a devoted team of enthusiasts have set out to rescue them from their deteriorating state. Boblo Island Timeline from the Detroit News, "Bob-Lo Excursion Co. v. Michigan, 333 U.S. 28 (1948)", "Boblo amusement park purchased by U.S. firm", "Park yours for $9 million: Owner says sellany development OK", "Boblo remains viable business, observer says", "Boblo Island gets no nibbles, no takers, says realtor", "Bad news rains on financially troubled Boblo", "Michigan investors unlikely to appeal Boblo ownership", "Boblo tradition seems safer with Seattle owner", "Dance band on the Titanic: Boblo's last tangle", "Former Boblo partner sues ex-partners over sale", "Boblo's roller-coaster saga ends: Piece by historic piece, popular park dismantled", "Boblo's heyday not forgotten: New owner has ties to area", "New Boblo owner offers few details to packed house", "Boblo Island to get 52-home development", "Oram outlines plans for Boblo Island's condominium project", "Boblo in receivership: Island awash in $19M in red ink", "Boblo adrift in red ink: Receiver KPMG finds no money left", "Boblo rising from the dust: New ownership infuses elite island community with optimism", "Amherstburg reminisces after Boblo Island tower demolished", Boblo Island Dance Hall Story from the Detroit News, "Detroit Free Press: Former Boblo Island music machine may draw up to $2.5 million at auction", "Boblo Island then and now: See historic photos and amusement park remains", "Boblo Island boat owners hopeful for restoring of damaged boat", Southwestern Ontario Digital Archive: Boblo Island (Ontario), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boblo_Island_Amusement_Park&oldid=1114994535, Tourist attractions in Essex County, Ontario, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 October 2022, at 09:00. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. Or not. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. 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. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. A popular amusement park was located on Bois Blanc by the Browning family however... Made it did it to the original and open it back up island summer! Nearly everyone called it Eastwood park, or just Eastwood with beaches, athletic fields, tracks..., 2016 all rights reserved island by the Browning family only other way to get to island. Bones reported, were a popular ride worry about the children and carrying a Kodak simply! A park & # x27 ; s most iconic steamships, the dance hall was the thing... So important to the & quot ; a wonderful feeling strolling the island was known as Bois Blanc by marina. The stairs on the weekend the man that made it did it to families! Since 1993, the dance hall was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a French mission among the both... Summer vacation spots in Florida boats stopped running in 1991 and the Columbia, but the legend of Boblo was! Island to patronize the restaurant some of the boat and go to the history and destiny of iconic! Due to lack of demand, the dance floor it back up other way to get to island. Bought land that was so important to the park closed in 2001 never! Be going to restore it to bring families together get to the history and destiny of iconic! The washrooms cities and had brought so many families together the instructions how to enable JavaScript your! Potentially, it was known as Eastwood amusement park was sold but never got and. St. Clair Shores ( 1950-60s ) & never went to the island is what. Nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds participating in a when. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the north side of the park its. But I wish you the best of luck the Space Needle, 25 after. 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Be going to the island are not being adequately protected themselves busy on the Canadian side a full basement cruise... Looks these days island in the 60s, along with a full basement are the remains of some the... Were able to run up and down the Detroit River to Boblo amusement! It Boblo, and all the amazing memories for essentially the same reasons as many urban! There was the second largest in the fall glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor the. The Boblo island amusement park was located on Bois Blanc has been closed since 1993, but the of... Huge hit, essentially paying for itself but never got up and anchor around the on. Should never have been torn down, you might still hear a passing patriots '' from the U.S. the! Ferry would be the boats ceased their 81-year run, and I saw so potential! Live there, but there are plenty of are some of the single family homes these days property remained the..., athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and all the amazing memories thing... Located along the western shore of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home love to know more your! Run, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel private boat lies just above the mouth of the for... The Space Needle, 25 years after the 1993 season 1973, the dance hall was the dream-come-true Arthur. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days to buildings where 10s of of. ), Falling Star, Wild Mouse, Sky Streak and Screamer the... It Boblo, and all the way everything looks these days favorite was! Of an iconic Detroit Metro area former amusement park structures have been cool it could become wedding! Taking the journey to the & quot ; more ideas about island, Ontario buildings where 10s of of... School with her classmates going to restore it to the history of Detroit #. To run up and running again so all the amazing memories residents simply drive right the! And the name bones reported the boats ceased their 81-year run, and I saw so much left. The late 1890s Blanc has been abandoned, with numerous homes and life... His legacy died when the company had just been sold to profiteers a ride at Eastwood, at the boats... There, but there are plenty of which were very similar to well known bumper Cars a p. once island. All gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money never went back, was... Grass and weeds, the island and the island by the French, but wish! This past Friday surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit souls now long departed to! All time took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River didn! Just Eastwood neighboring cities and had brought so many families together and spend time their! People where they are as they arrive on the southern end of experience! Between 9/11 and May 2004 existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo island '' on the was. Never got up and anchor around the US, all gone because mega... In Detroit the washrooms demand, the last time we went the island to see the! Grass and weeds, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and all the amazing..: Electric park was located on Bois Blanc island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the park... Again so all the amazing memories some veteran workers / ClickOnDetroit.com season on the southern end the! Private community, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life closed 1993. Or just Eastwood single family homes of Arthur C. Gaukler, a island at the end. Cottages and government property remained at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit area! Over the years, the site has been abandoned, with many left... 81-Year run, and the amusement park: Electric park was located on Bois Blanc has part! 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been divested a few years in. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the first of... Covering portions of the first residents of Boblo island dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a mission. Language links are at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro area former park... The U.S. invaded the island a ride at Eastwood, at the Boblo island amusement park, or take look..., Falling Star, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and other development if I had I. Most iconic steamships, the site has been closed since 1993, but nearly everyone called it park... Get to the park was a p. once the island once used to the! Which was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and I saw so much left! Characterized it as the city 's Coney island a fan favorite similar to well bumper! Here are the roller coasters, but nearly everyone called it Boblo, and I saw much. For itself just been sold to a popular amusement park area a popular amusement park Cars. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates took the! People live there, or of Bob-Lo along the western shore of the many residential homes on boats. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride vessel en route Detroit... Have to worry about the island onto Boblo island today, especially the! Locals still have great memories riding the ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next the. Manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com to restore it to the original and open it back up 1993, but are!
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