It was awesome place. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. . The last screams of joy could be heard from the little island of fun 25 years ago as the Cedar Point of Michigan closed for the final time. What did you do? People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. These steamers could carry more than 2,000 passengers from Detroit to the island. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. The last screams of joy could be heard from the little island of fun 25 years ago as the Cedar Point of Michigan closed for the final time. Would love to know more about your experience working on the Bob-Lo boats. Hard to believe, but for the first time in 124 years, there is no such place as Boblo Island. in subculturing, when do you use the inoculating loop cactus allergy symptoms You support the mega millionaires who dont care about anything else in life except their bank accounts. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. It blew up, shaking the island and sending rocks flying. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. (LogOut/ Poison ivy now grows in the ring of mature trees in front of the Lavatory building, where I imagine the men in hatsretiring for a smoke while they await their dates inflapper attireto emerge from The Ladies Room.. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. About Boblo Island Amusement Park: If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Today, 24 years after the park was closed and 118 years after its grand opening, little remains as a reminder of the islands history. Locate and compare 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. So sad. 0 Comments Comments 559 gold coast 777777 w In fact, one of those . 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. I learned this and most of what I know about the history of Bob-Lo Island from 1670 2006 in the book Summer Dreams: The Story of Bob-Lo Island by Patrick Livingston (published in 2008 by the Wayne State University Press in Detroit as a part of their Great Lakes Books series): How does Bob-Lo Island appear today, Saturday, July 30, 2011? [20] Oram then leased and shut down the White Sands boater's hangout adjacent to the park site, citing trespassers but infuriating boaters; as a result, the lease was dropped within weeks. Not fair to blame millionaires when often it is a corporation that can run out money after 5 or 6 bad years. - Bonnie, Oh! The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and resulted in a notable 1948 decision construing the scope of the commerce clause. Bois Blanc Island, Pointe Aux Pins, MI 49775 +1 231-634-7100 + Add website + Add hours. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Many of the other rides are still entertaining guests at parks in Texas, Maryland, British Columbia, and Mexico. 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). Author: Michael R Stoller Jr CC BY-ND 2.0 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. Everyone has a memory to tell. why did boblo island close. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. 6 reviews #1 of 2 Restaurants in Pointe Aux Pins American Pub. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters. Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage. . You can also visit Boblo.ca. The ferry runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. what a fun and exciting place. Over the roughly two-and-a-half decades that have passed since the closure, many of the most telltale signs of the park have faded away, including the ultra spooky-looking ferry boats that used to. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. The little that remains of the park is covered with vegetation or has been demolished. 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. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. Mon-Wed 8:30 - 7:00 Thu-Fri 8:30 - 7:00 Sat 8:30 . Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Having trotted out into the intersection, clearly not expecting anyone to be on the trail, the animal froze and then turned and shot back up the path, between thetall vegetation on each side, its hind legs trying to gain purchase on the crushed limestone. Posted . Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you . The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in 1949. 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). An island in Amherstburg, Ont. It's just a stone's throw from historic Amherstburg, Ontario, which is a 30-minute drive from Windsor. The last day of "Oldies Week" is today (at least for now), and the response from the Woody Boater community was fantastic. 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. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. It is the remnant of a place where river boats took passengers to an amusement park on a Canadian island just to the south western end of the Detroit River. The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. Although Boblo Island Beach House is pretty good. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. Boblo Island was an amusement park that was at one time larger than Cedar Point. Claire and the SS Columbia? In fact didn''t go as much as I would of liked to. Check out recent photos from one of the Boblo boats. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. . You can find the Boblo Island Beach House restaurant on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina Also the Boblo Island Marina: https://www.facebook.com/BobloIslandMarina You may be able to get the information you need by writing to: BOBLOMARINA@BOBLO.CA You may want to mention youre coming from the States; I dont know the protocol for private boats crossing the international border in the river to dock. Boblo Island was very special. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. Suddenly, without any warning, there was a relatively large mammal in the middle of the trail, directly in the line of my front bike tire. 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. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. Founded in 2017, K.K.Dhandapani World School, Deevanur is a part of the Dharani Educational institutions group. Thank you again for the information. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. The place just went completely downhill. These are the remains of some of the washrooms. The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. It was in a time when the parents didn''t have to worry about the children. If anyone has Meade Gougeon's cell number, seriously, call him. - LJ. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. It is a wonderful place with beautiful heritage and history, that is why I chose to live here. My favorite ride was the Log Ride, I thought it was the greatest thing of all time. This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island. Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant 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 (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. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. And I stood and looked across the river, and what I remember is no longer there, and Im 54 years old . Ironically, after Canada abolished slavery in 1793, the island became a rest stop for escaped slaves traveling the Underground Railroad. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. Restoration of the Ste Claire had been going on for a few years. It is sad, Cheryl. There's a white sand beach, walking trails, water sports, a waterside restaurant, an ice cream parlor and an in-ground pool. The island has quite an interesting history. This was particularly true during the Great Depression and the World War II era, when finances were tight and the world seemed to exist in a perpetual state of anxiety. Claire, seen in 2016. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. Departing from the foot of Woodward Avenue, whereHart Plazais now, theColumbiaandSte. All rights reserved (About Us). [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. The legend of Boblo is still strong in Detroit. . Boblo Island is an Island in the Detroit River located directly west of Amherstburg, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the border. The Ste. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Its a shame that Boblo Island had to close. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. 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. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. [32] The dance hall was the second largest in the world, holding 5,000 dancers at full capacity[31] 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. Although the name will seem new to most of us, it's actually the original historic name of the island that was home to the historic . Boblo's miniature railroad was perfect for those interested in something more leisurely than the island's rollercoaster. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. 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. 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. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. [Meta] Sticky Comment. . My birthday is coming up, maybe my family can take me to the island. 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. I agree. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. 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. 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. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. The park, which. It was just announced in The Windsor Star that the dance pavilion is now for sale. Valentine and Sons United Publishing Company - This image is part of the Canadian Copyright Collection held by the British Library, and has been digitized as part of the "Picturing Canada" project. (LogOut/ The restaurant just opened for the season on the 24th, this past Friday. 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. My most vivid memory is the Sky Diver ride. Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island. The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. 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. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. . 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. The native Wyandot called the island "Etiowiteendannenti.Both the Wyandot and French names refer to the white wood appearance lent by the birch and poplar trees that line the banks. Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. During the mid-19th century, the island was sold in parcels to several private owners who built cottages, stables, and trails. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. During the 1920s and 1930s, swimming contests were held that went fromBelle Isleto Bob-Lo, covering 24 miles. The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. independence high school football; fadi sattouf vivant; what animal is like a flying squirrel; james justin injury news; cynthia davis obituary cooley high; throggs neck st patrick's parade 2021; You can explore and find the foundations of the dance floor ruins. Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. The SS Ste. The Columbia's ship keeper, Sam Buchanan, said the St. Clair has "a prominent role" in. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. 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. 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. Clair and the SS Columbia. The classic boats stopped running in 1991 and the amusement park was shuttered after the 1993 season. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. 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. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. This is private property and the doors are chain locked. 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. . caliyah mcnabb photos; singapore new first class; grilled chicken with marinated tomatoes and onions; common entry level jobs for aerospace engineering; sims 4 reshade presets 2021; why did boblo island close. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. The website is that of Bob-Lo Island Custom Home Builder, the developer of the Marina Resort Community, Boblos current rendition. There are just two ways in and out of the island. Yes, Kathy, the Bob-Lo Island Beach House Restaurant is an easy walk. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. 2,000. There are no hotels. Families need to be brought back together and enjoy their children once again. In my days they were very comparable although I think Cedar Point was a little larger. Big changes for Sugar Island, good changes-it has made the drinking & partying boating groups unable to overtake the island.It was not safe. The 1878 Mangels-Illions Carousels 44 horses, two goats, and two deer were sold for more than $1 million. The price is around $500k. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? I remember going to Boblo Island when I was a child, having fun riding rides; our children will never be able to do that. The railroad began operating on the island in 1956. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. Barb's Boblo Tavern. Over the years, the crowds going to Bob-Lo on the boat would were increasingly loud and rude and some people avoided going to Bob-Lo to avoid the noise. Presented in the name of the border cities of Detroit, Windsor, and Amherstburg. You do it for other people. You'd be hard-pressed to find much evidence of those rides now. Claire or the Columbia, but no cellphone cameras documented that embarkation and carrying a Kodak Instamatic simply would not have been cool. The homes come with all appliances. Kathleen Saylors. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. The bike rental shop was closed, but you can check your weight for free. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. Filming of the movie began across Metro Detroit earlier this year. One island. 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? I can forward them to you if you would like. I am only 12. 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 Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. It's a place for those looking to surround themselves with nature, including the more than 50 different species of birds. The Detroit river is very short - it merely connects Lake Huron with Lake Erie. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. Peering through the broken glass, one can see water covering portions of the floor. The 1991, the boats ceased their 81-year run, and the park closed in 1993. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. For many people the best ride of the day was on the Bob-Lo Boat that took visitors to the island. The name of the island was changed to Boblo in 1929 when visitors had problems correctly pronouncing the original French name. 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. The steamers, the Ste. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. All rights reserved (About Us). Claire provided . What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. Here are some we found on various blogs and forums: I was one of the last generations of people who were able to enjoy Bob-Lo island amusement park. - Marva, I am 63 years old and I remember Bob-lo so well. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. 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. It is a story told in a new movie that premiered last week in Detroit called "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale". The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. The middle section of the island was developed as a park. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? 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. The park has been closed since 1993, but the legend of Boblo is still strong. It was on a small island in the Detroit River at the mouth of Lake Erie. Smudged by the past, we nevertheless feel a redemptive twinge in the final aerial shot as Dr. Kattoo hoists the flag over Claire's mended hull. The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. See All Homes for Sale in Amherstburg. 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. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. 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. The ship in mid-swing. 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. People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. Second case of COVID-19 confirmed in Windsor-Essex City of Windsor declares state of emergency, Devonshire and Tecumseh malls to close Boblo Island residential development plan moving forward. http://boblo.ca/. why did boblo island close. On that trip, my companions on the Bob-Lo Excursion Line steamer were other ninth graders from Livonias Holmes Junior High. Why did Boblo Island close? 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. 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. 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. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. [29], The tower for the Space Needle ride was demolished in 2021, with Amicone citing "health and safety concerns". Comments Off on why did boblo island close; June 9, 2022; why did boblo island close Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. And then came the Boblo Island Amusement Park with its famous Screamer, Nightmare, and Wild Mouse rides, its zoo, and carousel. [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. Bring a bike or plan to hike as the only streets to accommodate cars are in the development. One of those blockhouses remains, and is open for touring. Boblo (or Bob-Lo) sparks memories for many adults who. Remember, the island is in Canada, so you can't just cross over from the U.S. and dock there. Before July 30, 2011, my last visit to Bob-Lo had been in June of 1968. Interestingly, the islands history starts long before the amusement park was even planned. The living space of the Deerview twin villas. Building the lighthouse on the island instead of the shoal presented several advantages: a shorter tower could be used due to the . Its too bad they couldnt have it ready for this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary. In the ride's final incarnation, the train itself was a scale recreation of Central Pacific Railroad's 19 th century C.P. But there is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK entertained people from both Canada and USA for 96 YEARS ! The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. In the years leading up to its closure, many of the rides were sold to satisfy debts. 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! To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself.