In 1970’s the idea of a Gondola linking Windsor & Detroit was first floated. The firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls of Detroit were comissionned to create and engineering report on the feasibility of the “Feasibility study Detroit/Windsor aerial tramway”. A copy of the 1979 report is available for perusal at the Windsor Public Library.
Until the other day however, I had never seen a rendering of this plan. Reader Steve Destruct, pointed me towards a junk shop in LaSalle, where I stumbled across a postcard of the rendering. Interesting stuff. Looks like the Detroit terminal was planned for west of Cobo Hall were Joe Louis Arena sits today.
Wowsers !
Thats hot. Too bad it never was born.
Wow, is that ever cool. I never even knew they had thought of doing something like that. I’ll have to go to the library and take a look at that.
Did you happen to find anything else interesting there? I remember there being quite a bit of boblo memorabelia. In fact, if you ever get a chance to go across to Boblo Island I would recommend it, it’s kinda sad but kinda cool. Sad cause all the cool stuff that used to be there is gone, but cool cause there is still a few old Boblo Island things hanging around. The building that the corkscrew/nightmare used to be in is still up, the area where there used to be a skating rink is still up, and if you take a drive or walk around the island, on the other end of the island from the houses there is a couple of piles of debris from construction that they havne’t gotten rid of yet, and in those piles are some of the old signs from the rides. As well there is a garage that looks like it might contain a few boblo things too. The most depressing thing though is the old fountain that was at the entrance to the island. The dock where you ot off of the boat and onto the island is kinda half down and in the water, and the fountain and the area around is has all kinds of weeds and stuff coming up from in between the stones. Rather sad really. You’d think they’d kinda keep that up maybe just for nostalgic purposes.
And btw, I love this site, thank you for the mention, it’s an honor.
BTW, there is actually quite a bit of literature on Boblo on the net.
It still may happen! lol
http://freedomgondola.com/
Just THINK of the photo-ops from one of those gondolas!! Would be like chartering an aircraft….. only for less $$$