Boblo Island Amusement Park

Abandoned Recreational in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada

Oct 07 2013

Recreational

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Recent status	Abandoned
Location #	9756

Boblo Island, a family amusement park for citizens of Detroit and Windsor, and now defunct amusement park on Boblo Island, ran from 1898 until its closure in 1993. For almost a century the park was accessible through the two steam powered ferry's; S.S. Ste. Claire and the S.S. Columbia until the parks closure where they were left to rust until a restoration project was performed in 2014 where they were later removed from the island.

The island's attractions consisted of a Theater, Wild Mouse, Sky Streak, The Nightmare, Falling Star, a Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, Bumper Boats, a Carousel, an Observation Ride, and later a small railroad that took visitors around the island. Henry Ford also later financed the construction of a dance hall in the center of the island.

After the parks closure, most rides were sold for scrap metal or demolished. Today, the few remaining attractions and buildings consist of the Observation Ride, Bumper Cars (sadly no cars left, just the track), the Theater, the Dance Hall, the old Dock and welcoming ship and a few other smaller buildings.

The future plans for Boblo Island are still in the works by Twin Villa real-estate. They purchased the island late 2013 for $2.5 million and have begun to slowly develop houses on the northern part of the island, they plan to modernize the island adding several restaurants and souvenir shops. The southern part of the island still remains abandoned to this day. A small ferry runs every 20 minutes from Amherstburg. I've heard of people being denied entry for not having a good reason for going to the island, but I've heard more people having no problem at all. We just said we were going to the restaurant. The ferry ride was $6 for a car of 3 of us.

The Boblo Sky tower still remains and can be seen from the mainland. The mini golf course, the antique car ride tracks (with bridge), and the bumper car building are about all thats left of the rides/games. The dance hall and theatre (formerly the roller rink) as well as a couple interesting bathroom buildings remain.

The old ferry dock and terminal are still there as well as a Lighthouse on the South end of the island.