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. My husband is on the Grosse Ile Historical Society BoardI have pictures of Sugar Island in its heyday. 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. [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. http://bit.ly/2cIo6Ny. Bois Blanc Island, Pointe Aux Pins, MI 49775 +1 231-634-7100 + Add website + Add hours. [3] The company had claimed it could exclude her because it was a private concern operating in another country and that neither Michigan nor any other state had authority to regulate commerce with Canada (a foreign country); the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Michigan Supreme Court, which had upheld the jurisdiction of the state's anti-discrimination provisions and found against the company. To tell you the truth I remember the boat rides to the park more than the park itself. By 1742, a French mission among the Hurons was established. After coming aboard, visitors could look down from the main deck into the engine room, where powerful shafts and cams slowly warmed up. Restoration of the Ste Claire had been going on for a few years. About Boblo Island: An island in Amherstburg, Ont. 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. The north side of Boblo is a growing private community, with numerous homes and condominiums. It blew up, shaking the island and sending rocks flying. His legacy died when the company came in and took over the park. The SS Ste. The Bob-Lo boats, once looked upon as part of the attraction of going on a trip to Bob-Lo were later being looked at as time wasted that could have been spent at the park. In 1973, the Thunder Bolt coaster was built, which drew long lines. The place just went completely downhill. You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars. [1] The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Claire provided . Answer: 90% of the time, it's because the parks don't have enough money and/or business to keep up with running costs, and the parks simply close and are left to rot. why did boblo island closeconservation international ceo. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015. Anyone remember how much fun the dance floor was and how beautiful the boats were. What a wonderful goal, Andrew! Claire and the Columbia, as well as their Detroit docks, had been divested a few years earlier in 1991. Two years later, very little had been done.[34]. Its a wonderful feeling strolling the island, standing next to buildings where 10s of thousands of souls now long departed use to frequent. As well as some great stories, it includes some good photographs from all of the islands incarnations! 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In 1949, the island was threatened by bankruptcy. Just read one of the many postcards you can find online from people back in the day. The island is about 2.5 miles long, 0.5 mile wide and 272 acres in size. It had e. Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, Photographer Joe Clark. Im glad you made this comment. (LogOut/ Rochester Hills mom testifies about 2 . When you disembark from the ferry, youfindyourself adjacent to a private very well-to-do residential area. The rides were sold in 1994, but as we discovered via YouTube, a number of the park's structures still stand on the island. Boblo Island is preparing to greet more than 200 new residents with construction soon to begin and new roads in the south end of the island recently completed . For more than a century, Bob-Lo Island had belonged to Ontario Province. I can only imagine the dangers of the dilapidated buildings, to say nothing of concerns about strangers. The people of Detroit, Michigan, characterized it as the city's Coney Island. 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 . These steamers are the oldest passenger steamers in the United States of America, currently anchored at the Great Lakes Steel Dock in Ecorse, Michigan. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos. Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. When was the last time yousailed down the Detroit River toBob-Lo Island, to summertime? 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. I did notice, however, the last time we went the island had gone downhill quite a bit. 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. [5] The boats were sold off as a result of a decision to shutter operations at the Detroit dock. I was just in Amherstburg Sunday May 27,2013. 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. why did boblo island close. Detroit Publishing Co via the Library of Congress, This appears to be the SS Columbia Boblo Boat, which was built in 1902, Ferry dock on Boblo Island - between 1890 and 1901. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. - Bonnie, Oh! The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. What I remember about Bob-Lo Island specifically, the entrance coming off of the boat, one of the last times I went the Simpsons were the mascots and I met Bart and Homer. 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. I, too, went there every year as a child from Detroit. [1] Screamer, a double corkscrew; Nightmare, an indoor all-dark ride; and Sky Streak, a steel out-and-back design, were its three roller coasters. Ironically, after Canada abolished slavery in 1793, the island became a rest stop for escaped slaves traveling the Underground Railroad. One reason is competition from larger theme parks. Many of the other rides are still entertaining guests at parks in Texas, Maryland, British Columbia, and Mexico. 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. It disappeared for the same reasons like Marineland of the Pacific, and the park in Long Beach. 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 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. The once site of the infamous amusement park has been renamed erasing one of the last remnants of days gone by. The Columbia is undergoing restoration. Morale among the employees both on the Boats and the Island was at an all-time low according to some veteran workers. Without Michael's approval the park was closed, the rides sold off, dismantled and shipped away. 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 last summer that Bob-Lo operated as an amusement park was almost two decades ago: 1993. 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). (Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com). 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. Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island. - Kathy G. We kids were able to run up and down the stairs on the boat and go to the dance floor. Boblo's miniature railroad was perfect for those interested in something more leisurely than the island's rollercoaster. My husband is from Boblo Island closed for essentially the same reasons as many other urban amusement parks closed. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. - LJ. 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.. 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. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. 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. 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). People quit coming in the 1980s, then the money for upkeep is not there. By their very nature, amusement parks are places of fun, relaxation, excitement, and recreation. mopar 727 transmission casting numbers. Boblo officially closed in 1993. Bois Blanc Island, French for White Woods Island, was named on account of its numerous white-barked birch and beech trees, and is today commonly known as Boblo Island, an English corruption of the original name. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. why did boblo island close. What a shame, all gone because some mega millionaires wanted more money. One such an example is Boblo Island Amusement Park initially opened on Bois Blanc Island in Ontario in 1898. The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat. If anyone has Meade Gougeon's cell number, seriously, call him. Over the years it grew into a unique island amusement park, with a midway and dozens of rides. 3 F 1 1/2. 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. Our world today, especially with the pandemic, needs what we all once had back in this society. I was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michigan. (LogOut/ Can you go over to the island any time? 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 ferry runs 365 days a year, departing every 20 minutes. The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. The company had just been sold to a group from Texas who ran a small park. If the boat looks familiar, it is not your imagination. 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. British troops captured 60 of the attackers and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. The park was closed for the 1933-1934 seasons due to the Great Depression. We went alot and when my family''s jobs had company picnic it would always be Bob Lo. Claireoffered their own form of entertainment. All Rights Reserved. I just kayaked to Boblo Island today, and I saw so much potential left in this land. I was 7 years old when the ferries stopped running in 1991. Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River. "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. In a sentence, I think, the world around POP changed. The Boblo Island amusement park closed in the 1990s after a century of operation. 6 reviews #1 of 2 Restaurants in Pointe Aux Pins American Pub. 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. The restaurants 2013 grand opening was May 24th. Twin villa homes on the north end of the island. A private community is now being built on the island. . Over four decades, later, on July 30, 2011, I spent an afternoon on Bob-Lo. I can still feel the sun and the wind as one of the great boats took us to the Island. Or for the Lavatory building next to it, built to match the other stone buildings on the island. It is now an expensive, gated housing community with a private clubhouse. 11 Properties from $2,300. Boblo closed for good in September 1993. Over the years, the park began to decline and wane in popularity. 559 gold coast 777777 w Save. This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home. [2] After Michigan found Bob-Lo guilty and fined the company, Bob-Lo filed a lawsuit against the state, Bob-Lo Excursion Co. v. Michigan, 333 U.S. 28 (1948). Although I had $8.00 in Canadian currency in hand to pay the ferry toll, I rode the ferry without being charged and with no questions asked. If I had mega-millions I would invest in restoration of the island and the amusement park. Claire was engulfed in an accidental fire while docked on the Detroit River on July 6, 2018. 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. The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island. Review. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. Hundreds of small amusement parks went out in 1980s as families all went to super amusement parks like Cedar Point and Six Flags and did not visit small ones often. What did you do? View TODAY's New Listings by beds, baths, lot size, listing status, days on market, & more! 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. In June 1945, Sarah Elizabeth Ray and 12 other female workers involved in the war effort (and referred to as "girls" during the legal proceedings) took part in a sponsored trip to Boblo Island. Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Kathleen Saylors. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. Such a sad and difficult ending to such a WONDERFUL PLACE. The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. It is sad, Cheryl. A woman leans against the fence in the foreground to take a picture of the ride. Sq.Ft. To rebuild would be one of lifes pleasures. I agree. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix? About Boblo Island Amusement Park: 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). [26] KPMG found there was no money left to continue supplying basic services. Each held about 2,500 passengers. Or not. I loved going there as it was much smaller than Cedar Point so riding the rides didnt take so long. Everyone has a memory to tell. What Occupation Did The Boblo Boat Workers Have? The remnants of Boblo Island Amusement Park: The British also built a lighthouse in 1836 which operated until 1959. The island features many new homes and plenty of land to build on. Look at Sugar Island.it once was a special place. After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd. We live on the east shore of Grosse Ile, we would love to take our boat to eat at the restaurant. In its early years, [1] Henry Ford financed a dance hall that was rumored to have been designed and built by famed Detroit architect Albert Kahn,[31] but was later determined to have been designed by John Scott. The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday. The subdivision consists of a loop of a street containing a court within the loop. There appears to be no such organization, which may not be so surprising. We also traveled from past to the present on the island, which was a must-visit destination for families for decades. Claire, built in 1910. The children of this time will never get to enjoy what we did when we were children. In 1898, the Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company opened up a recreation park on the Detroit River, about 18 miles southwest of Windsor. Claire, seen in 2016. - Mellissa M. Sources: BobloSteamers.com, Water Winter Wonderland. An incident in 1902 caused a man-made mini earthquake on the island. I am so sad every time I think about Bob Lo. They are located next to the Dance Hall. | 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. To the north of the road leading from the ferry dock is a subdivision ofmini-mansions and duplexes, with an emphasis on stone and heavy on Victorian-style turrets. By golf cart or bike or on foot are the only ways to navigate the crushed limestone trails that cover the remainder of the island,but for the residential area (the only place where cars are allowed). Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. Why did Boblo Island shut down? The ship, docked at Riverside Marina on the Detroit River, caught fire after 11 a.m. on. This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. why did boblo island close. Livingstone writes that the white sand beach was created in 1957 when a vein of sand in the mouth of the river was dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as they deepend the Amherstburg Channel to St. Lawrence Seaway standards, opening the Great Lakesto the world.. The homes come with all appliances. All rights reserved (About Us). Many years later, the ferries were sold but the service was continued by a number of different, smaller boats. This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island. The park opened in 1898 and closed its doors for good on September 30th,1993 as a result of poor management, rising maintenance costs and declining attendance thanks to more attractive parks in the region like Cedar Point. Abandoned Boblo Island Amusement Park is a former amusement park which ran from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Ferry passengers could be going to the island to patronize the restaurant. 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. We dont save anything for history any more. why did boblo island close Menu fatal shooting in los angeles today. OBSCURIST TOURIST 025 - Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing. He's been with WDIV since 2013. [9] The loss of the Detroit ferry service dented attendance severely in the 1992 season, which along with poor weather caused the park to miss its attendance goal. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today. 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. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Soon after this, the British obtained the surrender of the American fort in Detroit without a shot being fired. Boblo Boats Documentary Hitting Select Theatres in Detroit This Fall [VIDEO], Metallicas 72 Seasons Global Premiere Where You Can Watch in Michigan, Detroit Chef Named Chopped Champ Donates $10K Prize, Tri-County Ninja & Collectibles in Fenton Approved for Liquor License, Compete in Cedar Point Trivia from the Comfort of Your Michigan Home, Michigan Has Enforced the Death Penalty a Remarkably Low Number of Times, Celebrate 21 Years Of The Machine Shop In March, 13 Suggestions to Fill Flints Empty Sears in Genesee Valley Mall. People should not be making assumptions about the island residents. I believe the unfortunate combination of being a Canadian island with almost all American history is the reason its not being cherished by people in Canada. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. . Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers. Not one thing mentioned on the dance hall being 100 years old this year. [17], In March 1994, the rides were dismantled and sold off piecemeal to the Pacific National Exhibition and a series of U.S. theme parks, a moment that confirmed the "worst fears" of Malden Township officials; the amusement park paid 25 percent of its taxes. When did Boblo boat stop running? Barb's Boblo Tavern. Bois Blanc Island was where Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a Native American warrior, decided to place his headquarters during the War of 1812. Michelle, I interpret Roys use of the phrase mega-millionaires as being in service of describing the island developers, not the residents. An estimated 30,000 people passed through the island on their way to freedom. DETROIT Say the name "Boblo" to anyone who grew up around Michigan, and their eyes will light up. The man that made it did it to bring families together and spend time with their children. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. Opened in 1898, Boblo Island was one of North America's. The marina on the west side of Boblo Island. People from all over Michigan, Canada and from as far away as California, have chosen to make Boblo Island their home. Check out the tracker on the SE side of Boblo! I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902. The Boblo Island Detroit dock building can be seen on the Detroit, Michigan side of the Detroit River. Visit Boblo.ca for information about living on the island. Ive always wondered about the island and have wanted to go back. Take a look at the link below as we take you a journey through what was once Boblo Island Amusement Park, right up to its emerging transformation. Most people just drive their vehicles onto the ferry from Amherstburg and are home in a few minutes. A shack which held dynamite used for dredging the near-by channel was fired into by a group of boys out hunting or fishing. Today the community on this island is known as the Marina Resort Community. Comments Off on why did boblo island close; June 9, 2022; why did boblo island close Bois Blanc has been part of Canada since 1787. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance. 2,000. For the people who bought property thereyou bought land that was so important to the neighboring cities and had brought so many families together. Exploring and discovering those remains is a thrill in its own right. Locate and compare 4423631-Canada-Inc in Colchester Country ON, Yellow Pages Local Listings. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex. She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island. Although Boblo Island Beach House is pretty good. A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night. Ray was removed from the boat because she was not white, enforced according to a Bob-Lo company policy "excluding so-called 'zoot-suiters', the rowdyish, the rough, and the boisterous, and it also adopted the policy of excluding colored. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. An old silent family home movie of a trip to Boblo Island Amusement Park, no longer existing. This is the observation area which would rise to the top. Boblo Island, originally names Bois Blanc (White Woods in French) opened as a Park in 1898. [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. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario. Beginning in 1952, Joe Short, a man of diminutive physical stature, was employed as 'Captain Boblo', and traveled on the boats entertaining passengers of all ages.