Why boblo island closed

The mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships : the Columbia, built in , and the Ste. Claire, built in Boblo was originally named Bois Blanc by the French, but residents couldn't pronounce the name.

The non-French residents called it Boblo, and the name was officially accepted in The first amusement park rides were moving by The Whip was installed in , which was a huge hit, essentially paying for itself. In , the island was threatened by bankruptcy. Instead, the island and steamships were purchased by the Browning family.

They transformed the island into an amusement park, including a coaster, Ferris wheel, fun house and more. A miniature railroad was built around the island in the 60s, along with a upgraded dock area. The swan paddle boat ride was added in , which became a fan favorite.

In , the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. The , the boats ceased their year run, and the park closed in The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country. Check out more Boblo history at BobloSteamers. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity.

In , after nearly years in the business of entertainment, it was decided that the park was to be closed. No more bumper cars. 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.

Barely visible remains of the park. Though not all is lost. The Sky Streak Ride, for example, was moved to Selva Magica, a theme park in Mexico, and the Nightmare was initially moved to Six Flags Houston where it was known as the Mayan Mindbender, only to be moved once again to a theme park in Amarillo, Texas. Decaying dock. This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night.

Another lamp post. An old weight scale. A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there. Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle. Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. Pirate Ship ride - The ship in mid-swing. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride.

On the far side of the ride, people wait in line. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. The mascots - Photographer Joe Clark. Log Flume Ride - s. Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society. Log Flume Ride - The Super-Slide - s. The Flying Swings - A glass blower puts on a demonstration in the craftsmen's area - s.

The Theatre - On the Midway - s. A child takes a spin on a ride at Boblo Island - s. Inside the Dance Hall - undated. Boarding the Boblo Boat - s. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire built in bound for Boblo Island. The Boblo Boats - s. From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia built in Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island.

Detroit Publishing Co via the Library of Congress. Ferry dock on Boblo Island - between and Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive. The SS Ste. Claire - The year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. We toured the Ste Claire in while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, Update: A couple of them were partially restored and used during the filming of Transformers 4. Tree Riddle Published: February 6, Share on Facebook Share on Twitter.