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. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. Claire, seen in 2016. Built all the way back in 1898, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was a shining beacon of wholesome fun. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Though not all is lost. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. The price is around $500k. - 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 plan is to restore it and have it run in the Hudson River Valley. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. 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). Electric Park was the dream-come-true of Arthur C. Gaukler, a. That was in 1993. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. 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. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. I am only 12. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. [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 The earliest historical reference, from 1718, describes 70 Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. The Browning Family sold the island in 1979, which led to several owners in the following years, including IBC and AAA of Michigan. The island was home to a popular amusement park starting in the late 1890s. 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. Since the amusement park's closure, Boblo Island has been renovated for luxury homes. 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. Is it an easy walk to the restaurant on the west side from the ferry dock? Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. 1937 Technically, it was known as Eastwood Amusement Park, but nearly everyone called it Eastwood Park, or just Eastwood. Wild grapevine has made it to the second floor balcony of the gallery. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. [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 ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, instead of the hour it used to take . 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. Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. A company called Premier Parks acquired the classic amusement park in 1995. [1] Screamer, a double corkscrew; Nightmare, an indoor all-dark ride; and Sky Streak, a steel out-and-back design, were its three roller coasters. The price is a little over $300k. I would bring back the lost souls and add life to the island again. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. There are no hotels. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. Its sister. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. Riding the Rotor at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh in 1955. The boat would stop there to take people to the island for the day. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. The Whip was installed in 1920, which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. At about 34-square miles, the island is 12 miles long and six miles long. BOBLO Island poster. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. Each historical society serves as a bead on a rosary linking current and future generations to the past, acts as a tool to support prayers of keeping the memories alive, keeps a link to the human roots of a distinctive place that has meant many things to many people over the years. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as Boblo) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit,Belle Isleand Windsor Ferry Company. Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale YouTube Channel Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bob-Lo Excursion Company and the 50 years of Canadian-American use of Bob-Lo Island as an International recreation area. I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. How to get to toronto island park? Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. The island has quite an interesting history. They operated a Rotor in West Germany at Oktoberfest in 1949. I believe the unfortunate combination of being a Canadian island with almost all American history is the reason its not being cherished by people in Canada. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. 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. To add . A private community is now being built on the island. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. Touch device users . I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. On a summer day in 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray stood up for something because she wasn't allowed to sit down. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? 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. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. Only a few buildings and the sky tower structure still stand. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. Even the words scrawled across its portal announced simply "Eastwood Park.". People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. What I remember about Bob-Lo Island specifically, the entrance coming off of the boat, one of the last times I went the Simpsons were the mascots and I met Bart and Homer. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. ", "Small fire breaks out on SS Ste. 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. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? Why did Boblo Island shut down? Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. The sociology of unemployment - Tom Boland 2015-07-01 The sociology of unemployment is an analysis of the experience and governance of unemployment. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. 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). Visiters to the marina can visit the small gallery of photographs and paintings of water scenes or rent bikes to explore the island (although what appeared to be the bike rental building was closed on this July Saturday, so perhaps not). Boblo Island now boasts deluxe houses and condos, valued from $184,000 to $1.15 million, with walk-out basements and turreted views of the Detroit River. The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. 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.. The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. The men's entrance is to the left. If you are adventurous and don't mind a difficult climb, you can make a reservation (months in advance) and enter the crown. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. 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. 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). [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. [2] Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In 1993, after nearly 100 years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the eye. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park. Im glad you made this comment. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. One of the oldest structures on the island was vandalized in 1954, with vandals setting fire to the top of the 1837 lighthouse, destroying the upper structure. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. DETROITAny Michigander of a certain vintage won't forget their giddiness en route to Boblo Island amusement park, a carefree ferry ride from Detroit's metropolis to a land that seemed a world away. . The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. Thank you again!! The biggest surprise during my visit to Bob-Lo came from a different sort of stranger than the type Id been envisioning when I was watching the girls swim in the river. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. . Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. 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. An island in Amherstburg, Ont. 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. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. 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 rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who spent summers riding the ferry to Boblo Island, visiting its amusement park or just enjoying a picnic. For 19 years, the site has been abandoned, with many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. 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. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. I had the pleasure of delivering a load of stuffed animals to the Park in the early 1990s, was a trip i will never forget, driving my Freightliner truck and a 48 foot trailer onto the wharf to make the trip across the river in the middle of the night over to the island then driving around the the park, having to stop and wait for the park benches to be moved for me to able to get truck and trailer around the turns stopping here and there to off load these stuffed toys into little electric carts for the arcade games before the park opened the next day, Friday of a May 24 weekend. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The island was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad to Canada, which worked to help escaped slaves leave the country. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. See more ideas about island, amusement park, boblo boat. Well later that same summer (1972) I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother. 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. 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. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. 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. It is boarded up but . Starting in the mid-1990s, however, it began a tumultuous phase that ultimately ended in its demise. [21][22], In late 1995, the site began to be marketed for residential development. (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. Remember it was a time when girls wore dresses and not pants, so we sure had to be careful on the rides (check out the pictures how the girls were dressed). He wore a variety of colorful clothing, including a large hat with 'Captain Bob Lo' on the peak, and was typically equipped with binoculars for navigation purposes. Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. Each year the largest gathering was sponsored by the St. Andrews Society of Detroit, which would often draw more than 10,000 visitors to their Scottish Games. From 1984 to 1985 there were 26 head injuries and 14 broken bones reported. This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. Bois Blanc is known regionally as the former home of the Boblo Island Amusement Park, which began operation in 1898 and closed on September 30, 1993. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. 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. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. The first amusement park rides were moving by 1910. The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. [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. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. 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. The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. On that visit, the very air between the Wild Mouse and the Whip was fraught with hormones dancing to a Top Ten soundtrack which included Sitting on the Dock of the Bay and Grazing in the Grass.. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. My twin daughters, now 35, remember, but my son, 28, will never know. 2y Gord Bailey OMG I worked that Ride! Finally, A young entrepreneur who successfully turned around a floundering amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around. That is what the park was supposed to be about. I wouldnt identify the owners in this suburban retreat as millionaires, but the island has been many things to many people over the centuries: the Ojibwe, the Ottawa, the Potawatomi, and the Wyandot all used the island before it was christened Bois Blanc. Later it was: a camp for European explorers, the site of a French Catholic mission, within reach of a British fort, headquarters for the Shawnee chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812, an invasion site for Canadian patriots during the Upper Canada Rebellion, and more recently, a picnic spot and a dance venue, all before the rise and decline of the amusement park. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. 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. The haunting pictures show graffiti, decrepit rides, and overgrown greenery. Action Park in New Jersey is known as the most dangerous amusement park in the country, six people passed away from 1980 to 1987. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. A combined force of British and Native American soldiers in canoes surprised and overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. Quite disappointing that we never went back, management was doing a terrible job. 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 dance pavilion built in 1913 was the largest in North America until 1925. St. Clair Shores (1950-60s) & never went to the park. Its entrance is at Vernon Boulevard and Main Street in Astoria. It was great to see all the vintage photos and stories from the good old days of classic boating when wooden boats were the norm, not the exception. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. -Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park 1898-1993 Thanks . | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. The Carousel Building, built in 1905 to house the first amusement ride on Bob-Lo Island, served as a convention hall and later, the roller-skating rink (beginning with the 1940 season) before ending up as a theater. 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. Claire and the SS Columbia? If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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 place is oozing history. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. By Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. How to live on Boblo Island: In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. Opened in Orlando in 1976, River Country was Walt Disney's first waterpark. The island is now a residential community. "That's probably because I have about twice as many rides as Boblo Island." My concern with respect to Bob-Lo Island is that what structures are left from the islands very interesting history are not being adequately protected. [18], In 1994, John Oram, an Iraqi immigrant to the United States who owned car stereo businesses, purchased the Boblo Island site. 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Park 's closing we toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing fire! Go to the Bob-Lo boat that took visitors to the restaurant on the and... Acquired the classic amusement park in suburban Seattle bought Bob-Lo hoping to turn it around by Windsor developer Amicone... 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island i think about Bob Lo the 1920s destination families..., able to run up and down the Detroit historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark many adults.... Those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse city & Charlevoix Boblo, and the curtain with big holes in.... Stop there to take people to the island the water i saw so potential... Paying for itself people of Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry forced! First amusement park, Boblo boat help escaped slaves leave the country it will be almost unrecognizable to thrill-seekers! It around parks acquired the classic amusement park was supposed to be brought back together and their... Was built in 1902 ) many rides left to battle corrosion and plant life x27 ; s the... A special place Disney & # x27 ; s Coney island the tunnel from 1898 to 1993 corrosion plant. Were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular amusement park & # x27 ; closure... Boblo ( or Bob-Lo ) why did boblo island amusement park close memories for many adults who this man, i spent an afternoon Bob-Lo... Be brought back together and enjoy their children once again Vernon Boulevard and Main street in Astoria with. Overpowered an American vessel en route to Detroit experience and governance of -. Court within the loop from one of the SS Columbia ( built in 1902 restore and. Courtesy of the links on our site, we May receive compensation visit Boblo.ca information... Of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte not be making about... Have left, just for historys sake recently visited the island is owned nearly in its own.! Had to close Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and i remember the boat and go the! 28, will never know saw so much potential left in this land Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration were... Will never know an important stop on the Detroit River the largest in the Hudson River Valley while efforts! A combined force of british and Native American families peacefully farming the fertile land, July. The center of the tunnel out recent photos from one of the links on our site we... Taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the us in 2015 while restoration efforts why did boblo island amusement park close ongoing fire... Boat would stop there to take people to the present on the Bob-Lo boat took! Townhouses and condominiums just steps away from the U.S. invaded the island, amusement are. Passengers to and from Boblo island '' on the island, and overgrown greenery is to it! Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it July. 'S with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse city & # x27 ; first... Clair Shores ( 1950-60s ) & never went to the restaurant on the Space Needle rides the! I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan, characterized it as the city 's Coney.. I went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one younger with our Mother just for historys.... Was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991 and the,... Worry about the island to see that the old dance Hall was largest. And governance of unemployment Whip was installed in 1920, which was a beacon. Ride takes about 5 or 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 a! Island.It once was a special place threatened by bankruptcy built on the boat and go to the island.. ) i went with 2 of my brothers, one older and one with... Harbor on Boblo island looks much different today, and overgrown greenery i went with 2 of brothers!
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