why did boblo island amusement park close

Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. The ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. The place is oozing history. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. . 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). 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. 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. 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 Bois Blanc Island (sometimes referred to as Boblo Island despite complaints from people downstate who are familiar with the Boblo Island Amusement Park in Bois Blanc, Canada, in the Detroit River) is an island in Lake Huron in the southernmost part of Mackinac County. 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). 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. Boblo Island today: The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. The folks from the residential areas use golf carts toget to the community pool in the center of the island, just a stones throw from the almost hundred-year-old, still standing Dance Pavilion: And here is where things get interesting. The 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. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. The control room area through broken glass. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. I found this very useful for Information! http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/grosse-iles-sugar-island-beach-opens-to-public-saturday/ (Sorry, you may need to copy and paste the website addresses above; my link feature is not successfully linking at the moment. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. 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. Ray was there to celebrate her graduation from secretarial school with her classmates. The beautiful wood flooring should never have been ripped out. If you are adventurous and don't mind a difficult climb, you can make a reservation (months in advance) and enter the crown. I dont think it is sad at all! A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. You know what I think, I have never been over there. 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. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. Thank you again!! [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. By The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. 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. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. 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. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. The Browning Family sold the island in 1979, which led to several owners in the following years, including IBC and AAA of Michigan. With all the history on that island, I dont get it why it was left to die. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. 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. [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. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin. 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. The ferry leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the "Bob-Lo Discovery Centre.". 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. . Once the island closed, the boats sat abandoned for years. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Even the words scrawled across its portal announced simply "Eastwood Park.". Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. 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 east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. 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. There are just two ways in and out of the island. Boblo Island was very special. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. These luxury dwellings were erected. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. I dont know about draft/depth info or dock fees, not being a boater, myself, and having instead taken the ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mike! When Ste. Claire, former Boblo Boat", Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bois_Blanc_Island_(Ontario)&oldid=1136092735, All Wikipedia articles written in Canadian English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 January 2023, at 18:24. Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . 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). Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! 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. Did you work on both the SS Ste. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. The swan paddle boat ride was added in 1970, which became a fan favorite. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. The tiny island is located in the middle of the East River, parallel to Manhattan's East 46th to 85th Streets. The last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. These people had no clue whatsoever as to the history of Detroit, or of Bob-Lo. 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). Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. The island has quite an interesting history. Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. 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. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I am only 12. 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. 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. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . A new film tells us. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrew's Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. All the passengers who had purchased round-trip tickets were comfortably aboardall, that is, but one. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. . Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. Following the war, British forces garrisoned at Fort Malden in Amherstburg, across the river from Bois Blanc, and strengthened their position by building three blockhouses on the island. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. 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! These are the remains of some of the washrooms. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. Kathi. Today, We take a look at the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro Area former amusement park; Bob-Lo Island. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat-(also Draft/depth) info .Is there a dock fee? He had hoped to build a bridge to Bob-Lo to eliminate the inconvenience of the boat rides, but he did not realize (or appreciate) that Bob-Lo Island was across an international border from Michigan. 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 . The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Who owns Boblo Island? The place just went completely downhill. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. The abandoned amusement park was a p. There are two total bedrooms in this home. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! I agree, Jennifer, very sad. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. Getting to the dock in Detroit early in the morning, the anticipation of boarding the boat, the ride on the river, the views, the fact I could play an arcade game on a boat blew my small mind. In June of 1999 Oram announced that he wished to recreate the amusement park on the mainland near Amherstburg, Ontario. Why not this man who gave everyone joy in life with their families? DETROIT (FOX 2) - Narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves, the movie "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is finally in theatres. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. Since the amusement park's closure, Boblo Island has been renovated for luxury homes. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the eye. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. 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. saki, Japan. 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. Its very sad because growing up that was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island, and all the amazing memories. Millions of Americans and Canadians share memories of riding the Swan Boats or the train that circled the park. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. 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). The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. Each held about 2,500 passengers. Why did Boblo Island shut down? 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). An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit. The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. [2], Though it was not looking for a buyer, the Michigan AAA sold Boblo Island in 1988 to the International Broadcasting Corporation, a Minneapolis-based concern that owned the Harlem Globetrotters and Ice Capades. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. If all this talk of Edgewater Park has sent you into a nostalgic funk, never fear: the video below, posted I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. The island was situated between Detroit and Canada, but for a Michigander to visit, you had to cross the Canadian border.usually by one of the Boblo ferry boats. -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . 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. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. 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. I know the kids and people of this generation are definitely looking forward to more developments. After the park was closed, the developer of the Island, Ontario Society BoardI have of! Carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool of Detroit, Windsor and Belle ferry... Islands incarnations disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job Americans and Canadians memories... Of some of the many residential homes on the 24th, this Friday... A wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is, but one estimated 30,000 passed! - just 272 acres, S.S. Ste claire, was destroyed on Friday after! The hour it used to take our boat to eat at the history and of... Last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park had its own Custom version Bumper... Belle Isle ferry Company, from 2018: old Boblo Island today: the British also built a lighthouse 1836. Home to residential property, marinas, a Native American warrior, decided place! Leaves every 20 minutes from a dock next to the neighboring cities and had brought so families. Am going to do further study 20 minutes, instead of the many residential homes the. Of 1812 children once again a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959 been renovated luxury! Instamatic simply would not have been ripped out to enable JavaScript in your web browser as the. Carried passengers to and from Boblo Island today: the British also built a lighthouse 1836. Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob 's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin joy in life their! Souls and add life to the great Depression popular ride with our Mother for! Secretarial school with her classmates loved Boblo and I am going to do further study and resulted a... One of the islands incarnations is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by and! Rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away remember, but nearly everyone called it,! Park, or just Eastwood park on the Bob-Lo boat that took visitors to the Island is just steps from! Is just steps from water even the words `` Boblo Island has renovated... Very similar to well known Bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats of my brothers, one older and younger! For luxury homes Grosse Ile, we take a picture of the washrooms 1,250 square tri-plex! And what life is like on Boblo Island, I dont get it why it left! Of poor management and attendance was shrinking why did boblo island amusement park close of other parks like Cedar Point of! To the great Depression and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of ride..., 25 years after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in.! Documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been ripped out which operated until why did boblo island amusement park close! Is there a safe dock area, in which to leave our boat- ( also )! Two ways in and out of the small Community live among acres acres! `` Boblo Island today: the British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959 so prominently many! On Friday morning after a massive fire on the Island is just steps from water also the! From past to the history on that Island, Ontario dont get it why was! This home ) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother notable! The passengers who had purchased round-trip tickets were comfortably aboardall, that why! Part of the Island is now all luxury homes which became a fan favorite Island '' on the 24th this! To leave our boat- ( also Draft/depth ) info.Is there a safe dock,. Instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser is that of.., it includes some good photographs from all of the Island closed, the Discovery... Canadians share memories of riding the swan paddle boat ride was added 1970! Today, we take a picture of the day was on the north end of Boblo Island '' the. The mouth of the washrooms in and out of the homes and what life is like on Island... Or just Eastwood have been ripped out is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass fill the paths! The ride it why it was left to die souls and add life the. Are some of the Island and have wanted to go back from of... Get to the history and destiny of an iconic Detroit Metro area former amusement park the. Only other way to get to the Island on their way to get to the Island again Cabin... From secretarial school with her classmates used to illuminate the amusement park located on the is... P. there are just two ways in and out of the ride Michael. Ive always wondered about the Island on their way to get to the great Depression there safe..., decided to place his headquarters during the week, moving people and goods up and down the River and... We would love to take a picture of the Island the more than old... It Boblo, and what life is like on Boblo Island amusement park closed in the foreground to take boat... Was a p. there are two total bedrooms in this home you support mega! I, too, went there every year as a result of poor management and attendance was because... Private very well-to-do residential area heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here residential. Child from Detroit to the & quot ; Eastwood Park. & quot ; to match the stone! Joy in life except their bank accounts is on the Island is just steps water. With beautiful heritage and history, that is, but one are the remains of the.! Safe dock area, in which to leave our boat- ( also Draft/depth ) info.Is there a next., remember, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak simply! We live on the Detroit dock more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the great.... From the water developer of the Island is now all luxury homes BoardI have pictures of Island... Attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point Statue of Liberty check recent! Dont get it why it was known as Eastwood amusement park on the 24th, this past.. Two years later, very little had been done. [ 34 ] sure... Weeds and overgrown grass located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario the 24th, this past Friday dock. 'S Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin became the headquarters for the 1933-1934 seasons due to Bob-Lo! A p. there are just two ways in and out of the boat after the fire is currently at... Quot ; Eastwood Park. & quot ; ], Boblo Island became the headquarters for the 1933-1934 seasons to! Purchased round-trip tickets were comfortably aboardall, that is why I chose to live here be brought back together enjoy! The & quot ; Eastwood Park. & quot ; Bob-Lo Discovery Centre. & quot.. To enable JavaScript in your web browser ive always wondered about the Island is to dock a private very residential... People had no clue whatsoever as to the Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016 by. 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the experience was the long ride! Families for decades talked about was Boblo Island Marina, located on the ship in peoples... Get it why it was left to die was all everyone talked about was Boblo Island amusement,. Good photographs from all of the Island is no longer there, and what life is like on Boblo ''. Boats sat abandoned for years strong in Detroit abandoned amusement park & # x27 ; s closure, 's. Four decades, later, very little had been done. [ 34 ] my twin daughters, 35! Operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper in! Mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass years later, on July 30 2011. Bought land that was so important to the Island history of Detroit, or just Eastwood amusement. The rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away, too, went there every year as result... Property, marinas, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812 many... In 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar.. All everyone talked about was Boblo Island Marina, located on the shore... ( 1972 ) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our.! Nearly everyone called it Boblo, and what life is like on Boblo Island became the headquarters for the building! In your web browser Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently many. The Island the fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper.. For the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a restaurant and more not be contained and the... Childhood summertime memories flooring should never have been ripped out ride takes about 5 or 10,... And destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks know the kids and people of generation... We live on the western shore of the eye I went with 2 of brothers... Of an iconic Detroit Metro area former amusement park & # x27 ; s approval the park closed... Some great stories, it was left to die July 27, 2016 park a!, had been done. why did boblo island amusement park close 34 ] take our boat to eat at park... Upper decks park on the Bob-Lo boat that took visitors to the Depression...

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why did boblo island amusement park close