The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. 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. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. [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. 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. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. More waterfront dining. 'Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale' is a new documentary, created by Aaron Shillinger, that tell the tale of Dr. Ron Kattoo, who is on a mission to restore the SS. Nessel calls on DTE, Consumers to issue automatic power outage credits after storm. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. Barb's Boblo Tavern. What did you do? Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. The place is oozing history. Ex-MSU dean sues interim president for leading alleged plot to remove him. One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. If the boat looks familiar, it is not your imagination. In June 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray and 12 other female workers involved in the war effort (and referred to as "girls" during the legal proceedings) took part in a sponsored trip to Boblo Island. We dont save anything for history any more. 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. Smudged by the past, we nevertheless feel a redemptive twinge in the final aerial shot as Dr. Kattoo hoists the flag over Claire's mended hull. Boblo's trains made a 20-minute circuit around about 2 miles of track . It is a story told in a new movie that premiered last week in Detroit called "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale". 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. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. Share. For those who lived it firsthand, though, Boblo Island was an accessible and affordable paradise right in Detroit's backyard. You do it for other people. The middle section of the island was developed as a 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. The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. why did boblo island close. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. There were several trips from Detroit each day, but only two stops in Wyandotte. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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). The park was sold but never got up and running again so all the rides and boats were sold. One island. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. ), Thank you so much for the great information. Both doors are were chain locked. I can forward them to you if you would like. It was a Canadian Island and had passenger boats that sailed from Detroit, Gibraltar and Amherstburg Ontario. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. The price is around $500k. 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. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 582 gold coast drive boblo island ontario windsor essex ontario mls 22015670 video tour available at https wwwdangemuscom listings welcome to the awesome lifestyle on bois blanc also known as boblo. Boblo Boats Documentary Hitting Select Theatres in Detroit This Fall [VIDEO], Metallicas 72 Seasons Global Premiere Where You Can Watch in Michigan, Detroit Chef Named Chopped Champ Donates $10K Prize, Tri-County Ninja & Collectibles in Fenton Approved for Liquor License, Compete in Cedar Point Trivia from the Comfort of Your Michigan Home, Michigan Has Enforced the Death Penalty a Remarkably Low Number of Times, Celebrate 21 Years Of The Machine Shop In March, 13 Suggestions to Fill Flints Empty Sears in Genesee Valley Mall. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. why did boblo island closeconservation international ceo. He enjoys suffering through Lions games on Sundays in the fall. 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. This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. 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. Purchasing a home on Boblo Island? The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. [27] Dominic Amicone became the new owner in 2005. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. 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 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. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the 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. One to pick up, and one to return people. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. Posted . How I recall the fun times of going to Bob-Lo, with my sisters and brother. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. 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. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. 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. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. How to get to Boblo Island: She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. Few physical reminders remain from the amusement park, which closed in 1993, but the island has had a surprising resurgence - as a quiet but thriving residential community. Founded in 2017, K.K.Dhandapani World School, Deevanur is a part of the Dharani Educational institutions group. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Locate and compare Service d'ambulance in Mersea ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. 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. Its sad that my kids will never be able to go there and ride the same rides I did as a kid. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. Second case of COVID-19 confirmed in Windsor-Essex City of Windsor declares state of emergency, Devonshire and Tecumseh malls to close Boblo Island residential development plan moving forward. I found this very useful for Information! 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. RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - 585. They are located next to the Dance Hall. By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. Really sad. FOX 2 Detroit (WJBK) - The name 'Boblo' came back recently after a massive fire destroyed an iconic ferry that used to take people to and from the now closed island amusement park. 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. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. 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. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. Officially, Bob-Lo Island is now billed as a Marina Resort Community, but Bob-Lo currently exhibits the most profound split personality of any islandperhaps any placeIve ever been. Author: Michael R Stoller Jr CC BY-ND 2.0 Though not all is lost. All rights reserved (About Us). When I was riding my bike on a trail that runs through the middle of the island, I came upon a T-intersection buried amidst tall, tall grass, with the Carousel Building on my left and the Powerhouse on my right. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. I vaguely remember going to Boblo Island Amusement Park as a kid and recently found myself wondering what happened to the place. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. Boblo Island is an Island in the Detroit River located directly west of Amherstburg, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the border. The SS Ste. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. [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. Well, it went out of business a long time ago, but we found a few videos of what it looks like today -- check them out here. 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. 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. [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. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. It was awesome place. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. Boblo closed for good in September 1993. If anyone has Meade Gougeon's cell number, seriously, call him. Boblo Island opened in 1898. In the ride's final incarnation, the train itself was a scale recreation of Central Pacific Railroad's 19 th century C.P.

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