(Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). Jul 6, 2018 - Fire has destroyed a piece of Michigan history, one of the old Boblo Island boats. There are still a few left for sale. Aerial view of the development on Boblo Island in 2003. Soon they'd be enjoying the rides, beautiful landscaping, and great food at Detroit's favorite summertime playground--Canada's Bob-Lo Island. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. (Submitted by: Peter Dunn) "When you see people die firsthand, this isn't a … I made 45 miles today. In 1945, Ray, a secretary, had completed a training in the city ordinance department and joined her class for their graduation in 1945 on the S.S. Columbia, one of two Boblo boats. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. soon they'd be enjoying the rides, beautiful landscaping, and great food at detroit's favorite summertime playground canada's bob lo island. Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name. This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. Aug 30, 2019 - Gone are the roller coasters, but there are plenty of haunting remnants from Boblo Island Amusement Park, which delivered thrills and family fun from 1898 to September 30, 1993. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). "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.". Each held about 2,500 passengers. Take a look at the link below as we take you a journey through what was once Boblo Island Amusement Park, right up to its emerging transformation. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. Tired, I anchored in a little cove about half an hour later and fell asleep. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. There are just two ways in and out of the island. Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. In fact, it is the largest island in the Straits of Mackinac and is not to be confused with the Canadian island known as Boblo located in the Detroit River. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin, located on the western shore of Boblo Island. Stay informed, stay safe. He adds. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. Nov 10, 2015 - The SS Columbia, one of the Boblo boats, has left Detroit for what is likely the last time. How to get to Boblo Island: They stayed close although their lives took them to numerous locations across the U. S. At least once a year, and of course for weddings and funerals, the group would re unite. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. Colorful picnic tables surround Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin located on the western shore of Boblo Island. Bois Blanc Island is an island in Lake Huron coterminous with Bois Blanc Township, Mackinac County, Michigan. Each held about 2,500 passengers. Mar 16, 2018 - Discover Boblo Island Abandoned Amusement Park in Amherstburg, Ontario: An abandoned Victorian-era amusement park is rusting away amidst luxury houses. How to live on Boblo Island: (Windsor Star files) Article content. And visitors of all races were able to enjoy those attractions for all those years thanks to Sarah Elizabeth Ray. Bois Blanc—or “Boblo” as it is known by locals—is Mackinac Island’s much larger neighbor to the east. About Boblo Island: A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. Dunn has taken the issue up with town councillor Michael Prue who lives on the island. It lies southeast of Mackinac Island and almost due north of the city of Cheboygan. Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers. People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. Boblo Boat & Bob-lo Island Photos bring us all back to those sunny summer days when a one hour cruise along the Detroit River in a big steam ship was the beginning of a real life fantasy that could take you as far as a child's imagination could go. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). “We are open to everyone,” she states. m_gallery = "boblo_island_preview"; There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. Clair and the SS Columbia. Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. "When you see people die firsthand, this isn't a game anymore," he said. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide - just 272 acres. Exciting news for BOBLO ISLAND, looking forward to 2020! she lives the island life. For walk-ons (and you can bring along a … https://www.mlive.com/travel/2016/08/this_is_what_life_is_like_on_t.html Boblo Island Ferry (Courtesy of Boblo Island Facebook) After suffering from mechanical issues, the Boblo Island Ferry is back up and running. Residents of the small community live among acres and acres of nature, just steps from water. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. As I was motoring up one of the three channels, I received a call from a golfing friend who lives on Horse Island. Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant, Amherstburg: See 75 unbiased reviews of Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant, rated 3 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #39 of … In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. The island covers about 34 sq mi (88 km 2) and is about 12 miles (19 km) long, 6 miles (9.6 km) wide and has 6 lakes. But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. Most residents drive their cars right onto the ferry and take the short four minute ride to the island. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. Boblo Island residential development plan moving forward. Get the shovel ready! m_gallery_pagetype = "embed"; You can also visit Boblo.ca. The island is mainly a place where people can live in serenity. 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. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. Peter Dunn. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. m_gallery_creation_date = "Sunday, July 31, 2016, 9:23 PM"; It was a good day. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. Photo by Dax Melmer / Windsor Star Article content. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. The island spans twelve miles east to west and six miles north to south. Bob-Lo Island - An Island Community is a new condo, townhouse and single family home development by Boblo Developments in Amherstburg, ON. tremendous changes that have come to the island of Borneo in recent decades, this volume takes a detailed historical look at the Borneo environment from native, colonial and national perspectives. Now Selling from $219,900. The price is $499,999. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. m_gallery_blog_id = "4469"; The Ste. bob lo still lives in the memory of those who miss the thrills!. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30 minute drive from Windsor. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. Boblo Island’s Amherstburg Ferry: It’s located at 340 Dalhousie St. in downtown Amherstburg, 519-791-5747.Ferries depart every 20 minutes. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: The only access was via one of two ferries from Detroit or Amherstburg, the SS Ste. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. m_gallery_id = "20836964"; CLICK HERE to see historic photos of Boblo Island. In the beginning it was a picnic spot with beaches, athletic fields, bicycle tracks, and a stunning Mangels-Illions carousel. Amherstburg town council has approved the Amico project consisting of 219 units of single-detached homes and townhouses. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property. The cafe is open for residents and visitors from Thursday through Sunday. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Mayor Aldo DiCarlo says the project will mean an increased tax base for the municipality. A sign requiring face masks hangs in the lobby of the Habourview Condos on Boblo Island. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. Discover Boblo Island Abandoned Amusement Park in Amherstburg, Ontario: An abandoned Victorian-era amusement park is rusting away amidst luxury houses. That's thanks to Sarah Elizabeth Ray. The Boblo Island ferry brings vehicles back to the mainland in this file photo from December 2019. The homes come with all appliances at a price of $261,900. Check out this home in the middle of the residential neighborhood on Boblo Island. Photo of Amusement Park Entrance, Bob-Lo Island 1950's: The sight of the BOB-LO ISLAND Amusement Park always filled young visitors with eager anticipation. In 1993, the island park was sold off once more, this time by International Broadcasting Company to National Capital Company of Seattle. Detroiters of all races have fond memories of sailing to Boblo Island. Not so, says Gena Boschin, a new full-time resident who also happens to be Bob-Lo’s marketing director. Explore prices, floor plans, photos and details. 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 ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Plans for a large new residential subdivision on Boblo Island moved closer to reality Tuesday when Amherstburg council approved an agreement outlining what the developer is on the hook for — … windsorstar.com. Some of the most popular rides were "The Nightmare," "Sky Streak, "Screamer," and "Wild Mouse.". All rights reserved (About Us). They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. "Living on the island feels like being on vacation everyday," said Gena Boschin, a former Tennessee resident who lives on the island and works in Amherstburg. A tennis court sits next to a home on the island. Deserted Places The Deserted Boblo Island Amusement Park. See what the S.S. Ste Claire looked like from our recent tour. Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm. The Amherstburg Ferry Company’s decision to run a vessel to and from Boblo Island less frequently in light of COVID-19 has caused a stir among some island residents. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. Bob-Lo still lives in the memory of those who miss the thrills! Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Very little remains, physically, of the amusement park attractions, but what we did find is fascinating, as you'll see in the link below. m_gallery_type = "photo"; 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. Bob-Lo Island resident Eric Farron, a tool-and-die professional, is also passionate about life on Bob-Lo. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. You can take a tour of the model homes on Boblo Island on Saturdays and Sundays with an island specialist by calling 519-736-1111. https://www.mlive.com/travel/2016/08/this_is_what_life_is_like_on_b.html "Boblo" was the best that non-French could do with the pronunciation and the name stuck. The park's coasters and rides were sold following its closing in 1993, but there are intriguing remnants. Once known as Bois Blanc Island, Boblo lies on the Detroit River on the Canadian side. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: Boblo has a long history. The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. Get the COVID-19 information you need. Boblo Island Amusement Park ran from 1898 to 1993. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. The price is $312,000. Boblo was originally called Bois Blanc by the French - named for the white birch trees that covered the island. Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday on Boblo Island's west side next to Captain Bob's Ice Cream Shack. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. m_gallery_json = "https://blog.mlive.com/photogallery/4469/20836964.json"; (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). The asking price dropped steeply, however, to $3.7 million from the $20 million realized just five years before. Driving through the residential neighborhood. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. The light was originally used to guide ships into the Detroit River from Lake Erie. One of the twin villa homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. Boblo Island today: There is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. Unfortunately I had passed his place over an hour ago and graciously declined. Bois Blanc Island. Historic photos and pics of the eerie remnants of the amusement park. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. Claire have not had good after-lives since their river retirement in 1991. Twin villa homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. Two twin villa homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. One of the members of this group was in charge of the operational aspects of all the rides on Boblo Island. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. The Boblo Island Light, built in 1837, still stands on the southern end of the island. m_gallery_title = "Boblo Island Preview"; There are two total bedrooms in this home. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. It examines change and continuity in the economic, political and social dimensions of human-environment interactions. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. See more ideas about boblo boat, boat, island. m_gallery_permalink = "http://photos.mlive.com/4469/gallery/boblo_island_preview/index.html"; "Bois Blanc" is French for "white wood". They came to call themselves ''The Port Huron Gang. This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. One of the higher-end residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. The Columbia and Ste. Boblo Island (Photo courtesy of Google Maps) A major residential development has been approved on Boblo Island. Bob-Lo Park (Sometimes seen as “Boblo”) was established as an entertainment destination in 1898 by the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. CLICK HERE to see pics from our exploration of Boblo Island amusement park, which closed 23 years ago. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. Amherstburg Fire Chief Bruce Montone says the ferry was out of service from about 9pm on Monday evening to 3pm on Tuesday afternoon. CLICK HERE to see the eerie remnants of the amusement park today. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. The goal of developers is to someday populate the entire island with neighborhoods. There are no hotels. Subscribe now. Boblo Island today: 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. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way. Nov 16, 2016 - Ferri Boat that took you to an island from Detroit to Canada. French priests established a mission for … The sight of the bob lo island amusement park always filled young visitors with eager anticipation. Sailing to Boblo Island Amusement Park was an integral part of experiencing summer in Detroit for decades, up to the closure of the boats and park in the early ’90s. For years he saw the island passing by as a boater or visiting friends, but when he had the opportunity to have the destination house he pictured for his family – he grabbed the chance. He generously offered me a slip at his place for the night. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists.