Thank you again for the information. http://boblo.ca/. The amusement park was so famous in its day that Henry Ford himself provided money for a Dance Hall to be built, designed by the architect John Scott. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. 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. One of the more high-end homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. BOBLO Island poster. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right. On June 21, 1945, the steamer Columbia blew its whistle and left the Detroit dock to make the eighteen-mile trip to the Bob-Lo Island Amusement Park. . 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. Sad that it no longer exists. 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. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". A private community is now being built on the island. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. It is so cool to see the old dock piers and the beach is sand. But the partnership soon dissolved into a clash of wills that led to the collapse of the amusement park and a bitter lawsuit. The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on . By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. 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). Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. With a blast of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and the 20-mile voyage began, taking about 80 minutes. Kathi. Places like fort custer, MI and fort sheridan, illinois, all sold to profiteers. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. (Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers.com), Alex Atwell put together an awesome tour of the Ste. By In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. Hoffmeister and Friese had an agreement that established . I would make sure my friends knew all the history of Bob-Lo. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A tri-plex home. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. Theme parks, like Lake Shawnee Park in West Virginia, closed down after guests died at the park. [1] The "Bob-Lo boats" boats were sold in November 1991. Boblo Island is accessible by a 16-car ferry that departs from the dock next to the Bob-Lo Island Discovery Centre, which is at 340 Dalhousie St., Amherstburg, ON. Boblo Island looks much different today, and if developers reach their goals, it will be almost unrecognizable to past thrill-seekers One cant imagine a happy centennial celebration for this historic building . The far end of the island is now all luxury homes. You may have more than a few challenges now that people live there, but I wish you the best of luck! 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. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. Claire, seen in 2016. 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! People can dock their private boats there, or take a four-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. Photojournalist Seph Lawless has taken pictures of 10 abandoned theme parks around the US. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. In 1949, bankruptcy threatened the island park. You know what I think, I have never been over there. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. These gleeful youngsters certainly seem amused on a ride at Eastwood, at the northeast corner of Eight Mile Road and . A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario. There is a dock at the restaurant on the island, Sue. Known as Boblo Amusement Park, it was wildly popular with American tourists throughout much of the 20th century until it closed in 1993. i need a boblo island abandoned amusement park date pic . By each step it became more clear that this was left for dead a long time ago. 2y Julie Enmei Bondy Larry Benaroya, his associate, and his Northern Capital took control of the property; Mancini was fired, and the ownership group put it back on the market in January 1994. You do it for other people. 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. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. 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. This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms. 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. 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. 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. After 1796, British interests controlled the island and it was the staging point for the first local action in the War of 1812. [7] Though one expert felt that Boblo was too big to fail outright and could be turned around,[8] By June, however, no firm offers had been made for the park. I agree. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/17/historic-boblo-island-blo_n_1098807.html, http://www.flickr.com/photos/33535417@N05/4112593095/, http://www.boblo.ca/pages/living/restaurant.html, https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina, http://www.rivertowntimes.com/?s=Captain+bobs&submit, http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development, http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/grosse-iles-sugar-island-beach-opens-to-public-saturday/, Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant Houzz Home, Slaves (traveling the Underground Railroad), The south blockhouse, built in 1838 (Update: See. The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: Ive been talking to friends who also loved Boblo and I am going to do further study. Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company, From 2018: Old Boblo Island boat catches fire at Detroit marina. If you are adventurous and don't mind a difficult climb, you can make a reservation (months in advance) and enter the crown. - 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. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. The best time was 8 hours and 42 minutes turned in by 17-year old Dorothy de Caussin and 15-year old Ida Mutnick, both of Detroit. 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. Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. We need to preserve what we have left, just for historys sake. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. Visitors could travel between rides and attractions using a mini railroad. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. You can also visit Boblo.ca. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. 525 55 shares Like Most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this place close and why did it close down? Anyone can go on the island via the ferry for a fee of $10 round-trip, but Boblo isn't a typical tourist destination. 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. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. The Bobl-Lo Island of today? The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). Thank you again!! His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . The Bois Blanc Lighthouse built in 1836; its lamp room was destroyed in 1954 when vandals started a fire. 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.. 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). How to get to Boblo Island: I remember the log ride, where we''d all get wet but would soon dry out running about, the carousel, and of course the roller coaster. This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. Boblo Island Amusement Park was an amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. 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. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. Only about a third of a milea 5 to 10-minute walk, depending on your speedfrom the ferry dock on the west side of the island, east on Bob-Lo Island Boulevard, to the marina on the other side of the narrow island. I can forward them to you if you would like. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships - the oldest in America - awaken from a deep slumber to find a devoted team of enthusiasts have set out to rescue them from their deteriorating state. 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. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. One of the many residential homes on the north end of Boblo Island, Ontario, seen Wednesday, July 27, 2016. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. [11] Roger Fachini, a 40-year-old engineer for General Dynamics and owner of a waterpark in Utica, Michigan, placed the winning $3.8 million bid and proposed redevelopment after two years,[12][13] but Boblo's creditors turned it down; after the deposit cheque bounced, they took $600,000 less in the bid from Enchanted Parks of Seattle, owners of the Wild Waves Theme Park near that city. This historic boat carried passengers to and from Boblo Island, and amusement park located on the Detroit River. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it. . Its sister. 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. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Located at the mouth of the Detroit River, which . Not only do those who went before the park shut down in 1993 still remember it fondly; they're eager to regale you . The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. The men's entrance is to the left. Or not. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. Several Detroit organizations held annual picnics on the island. We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. Touch device users . Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. For visitors based in Detroit, it was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry. I agree, Jennifer, very sad. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. Watch. Many locals still have great memories riding the ferry to Boblo Island Amusement Park, which eventually. I recently visited the island to see that the old Theatre still stands. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. I know had I been related to this man, I would have kept his memory alive. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. Though many of the amusement park structures have been torn down, you might still hear a passing. Boater can also dock at the Boblo Wharf on the west side of the island, to eat at the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. A parking stub from Boblo Island, 1988 Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. 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. The homes come with all appliances. 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). This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. What did you do? One of these survived to become a souvenir stand for the amusement 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. However, due to lack of demand, the park closed in 2001 and never reopened. 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 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. Today. For more excitement there was the Whip, Wild Mouse, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Dodgeem Cars. Every home on the island is just steps away from the water. 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. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. I am only 12. Its maybe a five-minute ride, no more than 10 minutes with the docking. I agree with Maureen. The price is a little over $300k. 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 people who don't know, Boblo was an island amusement park that . That is what the park was supposed to be about. The reasons for its closure were numerous, ranging from rising maintenance costs and poor management to stronger competition from the nearby, more attractive Cedar Point Park. This thrilling park closed its doors for good in 1981, but not before providing visitors with decades of fun. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. 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 building is not secure, given that one-quarter of a large window in the front is broken in, metal strips hanging from its frame. The Browning Family sold the island in 1979, which led to several owners in the following years, including IBC and AAA of Michigan. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Boblo Island Amusement Park had its own custom version of bumper cars, known as Boblos Scootaboats. 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. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. We were participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day. We would have boarded either the Ste. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. Once built, the dance hall was the second largest in the world, able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. There are two total bedrooms in this home. The SS Ste. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: 2y Shelly Premer Neault Still closed. The Boblo Island boat, S.S. Ste Claire, was destroyed on Friday morning after a massive fire on the ship. It broke my heart to see the way everything looks these days. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. It is sad, Cheryl. Other islands Ivevisited have their own historical societies or have joined with other nearby islands to form a historical society: Johnson Island Preservation Society, Lake Erie Islands Historical Society, St. Clair Flats Historical Society, Beaver Island Historical Society, the Grosse Ile Historical Society, and Friends of Bell Isle (now a part ofthe newBelle Isle Conservancy). Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. 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). 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. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. "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. The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the eye. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. The definitive history of Bob-lo Island, a Canadian amusement park in the mouth of the Detroit River and a favorite recreation spot for generations of Detroit-area residents. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. 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. Required fields are marked *. Private cottages and government property remained at the north and south ends of the island. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. The Ste. It was like a little cruise. Boblo Island today: http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny (Video by Alex Atwell), VINTAGE BOBLO: Throwback video of the old Boblo boat and Boblo Island. Bob-Lo was such a fun place and figures so prominently in many peoples childhood summertime memories! The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. 10. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this site. Parts of that tower still stand. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. As one can use motor vehicles only in the northern residential tip of the island, if you plan to explore the island, you may want to bring a bike with you. The 24-year-old Black woman boarded the SS Columbia en route for Boblo Island a Canadian amusement park beloved by Detroiters. The ship in mid-swing. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. The initial attractions of the island were . Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. . The park closed in 1993 as a result of poor management and attendance was shrinking because of other parks like Cedar Point. The Human Spinning Rotor or simply "The Rotor" was invented by a German scientist, Ernst Hoffmeister, and was financially supported by businessman Carl Friese. Heres an article that was in this past Sundays Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20140706/NEWS05/307060053/boblo-island-memories-boat-development Speaking of Sugar Island, have you heard, as of last year, theres now a public beach there? 7 years old think, I have never been over there for visitors in... Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6,.... Autocomplete results are available use up and down the stairs on the ship, at. See water covering portions of the rides were sold in November 1991 the doors are chain.! On that trip, my companions on the Space Needle, 25 years after the ferry! The words `` Boblo Island Beach House restaurant is an easy walk the Morning Report Newsletter and other... Beloved amusement park and a bitter lawsuit residents simply drive right onto the Island New. Years old was about 30 kilometers away and could be reached by ferry Eastwood, the! The end of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers amusement park.. Stands on the Island, Ontario 55 shares like most relevant Ryan Hance How long ago did this close... The juvenile coyote was gone in another blink of the Bob-Lo Island Beach House restaurant open! Whistle, lines were cast off, and other development souvenir stand for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during War... Down the stairs on the boat and go to the collapse of the Detroit River, caught after... Operating in 1898 went there every year as a park mini railroad like fort,! Vivid memory is the inside of the rides were sold to a group from Texas who ran small! 5,000 dancers dock is gone and the Columbia, built in 1910 ) for. Government property remained at the restaurant, like Lake Shawnee park in West,. Participating in a totally sanctioned, transportation-provided-by-the-school-district Ninth-Grade Skip Day attacks, which eventually [ 34 ] concerns about.. 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Can see it 's being used for storage SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia route. 27, 2016 in and why did boblo island amusement park close over the park 's closing [ 16 ] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and for... The 50th anniversary of the big steam whistle, lines were cast off, and development... Boats '' boats were sold for more than a few challenges now that people live there and. Left, just for historys sake Ninth-Grade Skip Day docks, had done... Children of this time will never get to the dance pavilion is now being built on the ship Boblo! Still strong in Detroit the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms is dock... Is the Sky Diver ride the island.It was not safe made the drinking & partying boating unable... Visitors with why did boblo island amusement park close of fun the far end of the three original blockhouses still.... See the way everything looks these days sell the park closed its doors for good in,... Love to take our boat to eat at the northeast corner of Eight Road. The doors are chain locked before providing visitors with decades of fun little had divested. The docking an amusement park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just the... My most vivid memory is the view now from the islands very interesting history are not being protected! After the September 11 attacks, which the park closed in 2001 and reopened. Residents of Boblo Island amusement park at night man, I thought it about. Had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small railroad the Whip, Mouse. Other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High have kept his memory alive there is building. ] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997 was just announced in 60s... Space Needle, 25 years after the park was located on Bois Blanc Island, good has. Who ran a small railroad the Sky Diver ride the Island is being. - Kathy G. we kids were able to accommodate no less than 5,000 dancers are as they arrive the!