Photo by Ioannis Batsios

By Edward Pevos of MLive - epevos@MLive.com

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.

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.

Here's what we saw as we recently explored the amusement park area.

In this story:

Haunting remnants

Historic photos

What happened to the Boblo Boats?

Boblo Island living today

Old Boblo TV commercials

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Disembarking onto the island

Part of the experience was the long boat ride to the island. The passageway still exists showing Gilbraltar, Michigan to the left and Amherstburg, Ontario to the right.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

The dock is gone and the passageway is mostly surrounded by weeds and overgrown grass.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com

This is the view now from the end of the tunnel. Part of the old water fountain is still there and you can see the Space Needle in the distance.

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Photo by Ioannis Batsios

You can still see the words "Boblo Island" on the Space Needle, 25 years after the park's closing.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Many of you remember taking the journey to the top for a breathtaking view of the park.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

This is the queue area.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

This is the observation area which would rise to the top.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The control room area through broken glass.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Walking through the queue.

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THE ENTERTAINMENT THEATER:

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Now surrounded by tall grass and weeds, the park's historic entertainment theater remains near the center of the island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com

You may remember seeing a show here.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Let's see inside.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

Bleacher seating remains intact in the abandoned theater. You can also see the large stage and the curtain with big holes in it.

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Photo by Ioannis Batsios

This is the back area of the theater.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Up close of the bleacher seating.

BUMPER CARS BUILDING:



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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

This is the structure that once housed the Boblo Island Amusement Park bumper cars.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

You can just picture all of the kids having fun smashing into each other in their cars.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

This is the queue for the bumper cars.

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THE DANCE HALL:

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The old Dance Hall sits majestically abandoned on the center of the island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The back of the 50,000-sq-ft building which was commissioned by Henry Ford and built in 1913. It was one of the most popular places to dance in the 1920s.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

These are some of the many doors leading to the inside of the old Dance Hall. This is private property and the doors are chain locked.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Peaking through the windows, you can see it's being used for storage.

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MORE PARK REMNANTS:

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

These are the remains of some of the washrooms. They are located next to the Dance Hall.

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Photo by Edward Pevos of MLive

The men's entrance is to the left. Both doors are were chain locked.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

This is the remnants of an old putt-putt golf course.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

A lamp posts once used to illuminate the amusement park at night.

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Photo by Ioannis Batsios

Another lamp post.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

An old weight scale.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

A powerhouse that supplied electricity to the nearby Carousel which is no longer there.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Plants and overgrown grass fill the dirt paths near the Space Needle.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Plant life around the old Space Needle observation tower.

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HISTORIC PHOTOS:

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Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society

"Sky Steak" roller coaster - 1983

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Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society

Pirate Ship ride - 1981

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.

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Photo courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society

"The Screamer" 1987

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Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society

The mascots - 1985

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Photographer Joe Clark. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration

Log Flume Ride - 1970s

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Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society

Log Flume Ride - 1980

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Photographer Joe Clark. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration

The Super-Slide - 1970s

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Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society

The Flying Swings - 1985

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Photographer Joe Clark. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration

A glass blower puts on a demonstration in the craftsmen's area - 1970s

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Courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society

The Theatre - 1908

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Photographer Joe Clark. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration

On the Midway - 1970s

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Photographer Joe Clark. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration

A child takes a spin on a ride at Boblo Island - 1970s

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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.

Inside the Dance Hall - undated

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Photographer Joe Clark. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration

Boarding the Boblo Boat - 1970s

This photo shows people boarding the SS St. Claire (built in 1910) bound for Boblo Island.

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Photographer Joe Clark. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration

The Boblo Boats - 1970s

From the top deck of the SS St. Claire, passengers watch the SS Columbia (built in 1902). Both vessels are bound for Boblo Island.

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Photographer Joe Clark. Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency's Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern, 1972 - 1977, via National Archives and Records Administration

90-year old Captain Bob-Lo greets passengers - 1970s

The Boblo boat took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park.

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Detroit Publishing Co via the Library of Congress

This appears to be the SS Columbia Boblo Boat, which was built in 1902

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Detroit Publishing Co via the Library of Congress

Ferry dock on Boblo Island - between 1890 and 1901

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

The SS Ste. Claire - 2015

The 106-year-old classic excursion steamer Ste. Claire, which used to take passengers to Boblo Island, sits on the Detroit River in August 2015.

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ON BOARD THE SS STE. CLAIRE - 2015

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

We toured the Ste Claire in 2015 while restoration efforts were ongoing before fire gutted it on July 6, 2018. This is what the more than 100-year old steamer looked like a few years ago.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

What remains of the boat after the fire is currently docked at Riverside Marina in Detroit.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

The Ste Claire was built in 1910.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

It's sister boat, the Columbia, was built in 1902.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

The Boblo boats took passengers on an 18-mile cruise down the Detroit River to Boblo Island Amusement Park.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

The Columbia is undergoing restoration. It's docked in New York.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

Each boat could hold about 2,500 passengers.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

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.

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Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive

The island is 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. 272 acres.

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Living on Boblo Island:

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The east side of the island is now home to residential property, marinas, a restaurant and more. Here are some of the homes and what life is like on Boblo Island today.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

A model of existing and future residential properties and harbor on Boblo Island at the Boblo Discovery Centre in Amherstburg, Ontario.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The Ste. Claire V can fit up to 16 vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists. This is now the only ferry which goes to and from Boblo Island. It's located in Amherstburg, Ontario.

The only other way to get to the island is to dock a private boat.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The ferry is a short four minute ride to the island. It runs every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at a fee of $10 each way.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

After the short ferry ride, residents simply drive right onto the island onto Boblo Island Blvd.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

A street sign shows people where they are as they arrive on the island. In the distance is a building featuring dozens of condos.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Twin villa homes on the north end of the island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

One of the higher-end residential homes.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

One of the twin villa homes.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Most of the homes on the island also come with a large amount of property.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Victorian style house.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Boats are docked in the Boblo Island Marina, located on the western shore of the island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The Boblo Island Beach House Restaurant is located along the western shore of the island by the marina. The restaurant is open to residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Another view from the restaurant.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

More from the restaurant.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

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.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Captain Bob's.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Colorful picnic tables near Captain Bob's Ice Cream & Coffee Cabin.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Colorful adirondack chairs surround a campfire pit near Captain Bob's.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The Beach House Goodie Shack offers apparel, gifts, and home decor for residents and visitors Thursday through Sunday.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

This is a small area of the white sand beach open to residents of Boblo Island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

A sign leads residents and visitors to dining venues and the marina on Boblo Island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Two twin villa homes on the north end of the island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Check out this huge home!

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Every home on the island is just steps away from the water.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

A tri-plex home. These homes are 1,250 square feet on the sides, 1,625 in the middle. The homes come with all appliances.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

This is the inside of the 1,250 square foot tri-plex home.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The kitchen and dining space of the tri-plex.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

There are two total bedrooms in this home.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

How to see the homes for sale:

You can take a tour of the model homes on Boblo Island on Saturdays and Sundays with an island specialist by calling 519-736-1111. You can also visit Boblo.ca

Along with homes, there are also property lots for sale in which people can build homes on.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The living space of the Deerview twin villas. They are 1,405 square feet with a full basement. The price is a little over $300k.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Inside the Deerview home.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

This is the living space inside one of the single family homes. This house is 2,040 square feet with a full basement. The price is around $500k.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

This is actually only about half of the full-size basement which has been fitted with windows and electricity for add-on bedrooms.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

A tennis court sits next to a home on the island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Another home on the island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

The marina on the west side of Boblo Island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Former home of Dorothy Tresness

She was one of the first residents of Boblo Island.

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Photo by Emily Rose Bennett of MLive

Bois Blanc Island Blockhouses

Boblo Island became the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. During the Rebellion of 1837, "patriots" from the U.S. invaded the island in 1838. British troops captured 60 people and built three log blockhouses to defend the island. One of the three original blockhouses still stands on the southern end of the island.

Newly restored in the Spring of 2013 by the residents of the community, they now offer Blockhouse tours on most Sundays from 1pm - 4pm.

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OLD TV COMMERCIALS:

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From 1989

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Year unknown

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1992

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Promotional video - 1992

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