A big thanks to reader AB. who sent along these current photos of Boblo, he figured the readers of this site would be interested in seeing the current state of the island.
This is the building that was labeled as the “Souvenir Hall” in the 1920 photos.
Aaron figured it’s final use was as a restaurant. I for the life of me can’t remember what it was used for. I moved to the area in the summer of 1989, and went to Boblo only once or twice before it closed.
Lots of damage inside this building.
This is taken from the porch looking towards where the car ride was.
The three photos above are the ruins of the old block houses on the island.
This building was last used as a theatre.
The theatre was at first used as the “Merry-go-round Hall”, as seen in the 1920 photos.
The old church on the island. It looks to me like some structural issues have popped up on the steeple/chimney.
A view of the front facade.
Inside the church all is neat and clean. According to A., his previous visit saw the interior full of broken glass, and other garbage. Obviously someone on the island is caretaking and keeping an eye on the church.
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The restaurant was airconditioned and other than the theater that had enetertainment was the only place to get away from the heat. It's name was The Island House. I worked there. :) The theater was on the south side of the island near Fort Fun.
The church was indeed not a church but a power house, later it was a gift shop and the exit to the antique cars.
The dance hall housed the roller coaster the Nightmare. It was on the north side of the island. I was on grounds crew and weeded the flower beds around the building.
Thank-you and I loved the pictures.
Aren't the blockhouses Canadian registered historic sites? As such shouldn't they be restored and maintained by Parks Canada? I find it very disturbing that the blockhouses are allowed to deteriorate and eventually disappear.
~ As a frequent visitor to BobLo Island Amusement Park with my sons...all I can say is it's a DAMN SHAME !!
~ As a frequent visitor with my sons, to BobLo Island when it was an Amusement Park ...all I can say is it's a DAMN SHAME !!
It was just reported on CBC radio that the remaining block house is going to be restored. The ferry will be taking it back to the mainland timber by timber beginning tomorrow I think.
I hate to dis-allusion Mr. Holt, but not every "Well-heeled McMansion owner" on the island is an American. Yes Chris, believe it or not we have thoughtless, wealthy (and not so wealthy) inconsiderate individuals in this glorious country of Canada too!!! For example, the owner (former owner possibly) John Oram.
Was the restaurant at one time called the Hoffbrau house ? Seems to me I remember being able to get a beer inside there. Air conditioning and cold beer was enough for my Dad to let us kids roam freely on the Island all day and meet him back there at 6PM for the ride home.Oh have the times changed !
He was not the only Dad with that idea either !
So the blockhouse was restored, but it was given a blue roof.
Anyone know why? Looks ridiculous.
yep, that building you call the souvenir building was named the hofbrau tavern. in the photos you can see the "h" figurals in the steel gate. the church you refer to was a power house for the original carousel. the suvenir building was torn down. however a half dozen or so buildings still remain and besides the overgrowth they are beautiful. i never believed in ghosts but when you walk through that place you really do feel someone is watching you. very eary, but pleasant.
whats truly amazing is that in my hobby of collecting old postcards from the island, the original 1910 or so rock garden on the west side of the dance hall is still there!!! its about 3 boulders high mortared together. looks like some old cast iron irrigation fed it. truly wonderful when i was there cuz it matched up on the postcard exactly.!! the developer of this island is criminal if he aint a historian of this place or doesnt aspire to be. only then can you balance development (inevitable) with preservation.