DISCLAIMER: This was shot with special permission from the owner of Bois Blank, DO NOT Tresspass on this property without permission.
Boblo Island! Who remebers the days of one of the most popular parks of the bygon era? Food, rides, taking the boat across to get to the island. So many memories are spoken of when the name Boblo comes up. Personally I do not remember anything about it because I was so young, but I have been there, and recently I had a chance to step back in time with some of the buildings that were left!
Boblo Island, nestled in the Detroit River, has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. Originally inhabited by Native American tribes, the island's strategic location made it a significant trading post for the fur and maritime industries. However, it wasn't until the late 19th century that Boblo Island gained prominence as a popular amusement park destination.
In 1883, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was established, featuring various attractions such as roller coasters, merry-go-rounds, and dance halls. The park quickly became a favorite summer retreat for locals and tourists alike, drawing thousands of visitors each year.
The park's iconic Boblo Island Steamer ferries transported guests to and from the island, adding to the allure of the experience. (Currently the St. Claire on the Detroit River)
The Boblo ferry boats were originally steamboats that provided transportation across the Detroit River. The most famous boats were the SS Columbia and the SS Ste. Claire, which were in operation from the early 20th century until the park's closure. These boats became beloved symbols of the Boblo Island experience and were known for their luxurious amenities, including dance floors, restaurants, and breathtaking views of the Detroit skyline.
After the closure of Boblo Island Amusement Park in 1993, the ferry boats fell into disrepair and faced uncertain futures. However, efforts were made to preserve and restore these historic vessels. The SS Columbia was restored and is now a floating cultural and educational center, while the SS Ste. Claire underwent restoration efforts as well. Each of the ferrys could hold ~ 2500 people.
The Entrance to Boblo.
Still standing today, the colorful paint chips can be seen still on the famous entrace of the park. Tens of thousands of people would visit this island of fun on a yearly basis making new memories with their families. Other than taking the ferry ride from Detroit, Amherstburg Ontario is the other major city where many visitors boarded from. If you walk along the water here, and look north you will see the old dock entrance.
While the entrance is not open anymore to the public, and is currently fenced off, there is ferry that crosses over to the island for residents who live there. Just on the other side of this dock here, was a popular attraction with the kids and families who visited, A mini golf course, which was added later after the island opened.
Click to enlarge.
The Dance Hall:
The Dance Hall on Boblo Island was a significant and iconic feature of the Boblo Island Amusement Park. Known for its lively atmosphere and vibrant entertainment offerings, the Dance Hall provided a space for visitors to enjoy music, dancing, and socializing during their time at the park. The history of the Dance Hall dates back to the early days of Boblo Island Amusement Park, with the venue becoming a popular gathering spot for guests of all ages. Throughout the park's operation, the Dance Hall hosted live bands, DJs, and various events, creating a dynamic and festive environment for visitors to enjoy. The hall was financed by Henry Ford and designed by the famous Albert Khan whos work is seen all pver Detroit!
Many visitors have fond memories of the Dance Hall on Boblo Island, recalling evenings spent dancing to music, socializing with friends and family, and taking in the lively ambiance of this historic venue. The Dance Hall played a central role in the overall experience of visiting the amusement park, adding to the park's charm and appeal as a destination for fun and entertainment. According to Wikipdia: The dance hall was the second largest in the world, holding 5,000 dancers at full capacity[29] and featured one of the world's largest orchestrions from the Welte company: a 16 foot tall, 14 foot wide, self-playing Wotan-model orchestrion with 419 pipes and percussion section
Old pictures of the Dance Hall on Boblo.
Dance Hall today.
The Theater
Sitting just down the road from the dance hall was another hot attraction for visitors of the island. The Theater whhich had a large seating earea inside and massive screen, allowed for families to keep cool during the heat and enjoy some fun entertainment at the same time. The colors still remain of yellows, purples and blues around the balcony and the stone work on the pillars is such an amazing pice of artwork all itself! The Theater would put on a veriety of shows for both kids and also special haunted theater attractions for older adults. If you want to see inside what it looks like, check out the amazing shots from FREAKTOGRAPGHY here:
At the southern end of the island, just down from the theater is the old Lighthouse. This lighthouse is not owned as part of the Boblo Island, but instead by the parks service in Canada, it was however constructed in the 1830s.and has been a beautfiutil addition to the island, with many people being able to admire the limestne tower. The blcok house, serves as a museum with aritfacts and history. It is currently shutdown and has been since around Covid.
As you take the one way road around the island you willl see a number of other out buildings that are still there from the days of boblo island which are restrooms and some power stations. These buildings fit into the iconic layout so well, that if i was not told that what they were, i would have no idea.
Currently Amico Infastructures is the curent owner of Bois Blanc and is in the process of building homes along the north side of the island, as well as areas for residents to go to. There is 140 homes on the island with plans of adding another 220. They have done a wonderful job in the preservation of the buildings that have been left on the island, making sure they are taken care of and maintained, furthering any damage from happening to them. I have seen a lot of places over the years of photographing and visiting different historic places, and sadly this is not the case for most, so knowing that they are a company who takes pride in the properties they purchase and build on, is so awesome to see. The island also has endangered species, and they have been carefully studying them to ensure their protection and that nothing further is done to harm their current state,
If you are looking to purchase property here, please checkout their website at https://www.boisblanccanada.com. A special thanks to Cindy Prince for allowing me to photograph this amazing place that has so many memories for so amny people.
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