
The Bob-Lo boat, which travelled to Boblo Island, was an integral part of Detroit's cultural fabric. The Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company first piloted the boat on 20 June 1898, carrying members of the Detroit Newsboys. The boat was in operation for 81 years until 1991, and the park closed in 1993.
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What You'll Learn
- The Bob-Lo boat was a ferry that took people to Boblo Island, an amusement park in the Detroit River
- The boats were run by the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company, which was renamed the Bob-Lo Excursion Company, Ltd
- The boats ran for 81 years, from 1898 to 1991
- The amusement park closed in 1993
- The boats were called the Columbia and the SS Ste. Claire

The Bob-Lo boat was a ferry that took people to Boblo Island, an amusement park in the Detroit River
The Bob-Lo boat became an integral part of Detroit's cultural fabric. The park and the boats were more than just entertainment; they were symbols of a simpler time, when the pace of life was slower, and summer days stretched out endlessly. The memories of Boblo Island and the Bob-Lo boat continued to live on in the hearts of those who had experienced them. The boats themselves, now historic relics, have been the subject of preservation efforts.
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The boats were run by the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company, which was renamed the Bob-Lo Excursion Company, Ltd
The boats that took people to Boblo Island were run by the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company, which was renamed the Bob-Lo Excursion Company, Ltd. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the Detroit River. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. The Columbia and Ste. Claire were taken out of service for the 1933 and 1934 seasons due to low attendance at the park during the Great Depression. They were brought back in 1935, and other smaller vessels began picking up visitors from Monroe and Toledo for a time. The boats ceased their 81-year run in 1991, and the park closed in 1993.
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The boats ran for 81 years, from 1898 to 1991
The Bob-Lo boat first went out in Detroit in 1898, when the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company opened up a recreation park on the Detroit River. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river, and created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. Claire. The boats ran for 81 years, from 1898 to 1991, and the park closed in 1993. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country.
The Bob-Lo boat became an integral part of Detroit's cultural fabric. The park and the boats were more than just entertainment; they were symbols of a simpler time, when the pace of life was slower, and summer days stretched out endlessly. Even after the park closed, the memories of Boblo Island and the Bob-Lo boat continued to live on in the hearts of those who had experienced them. The boats themselves, now historic relics, have been the subject of preservation efforts.
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The amusement park closed in 1993
Boblo Island and the Bob-Lo boat were an integral part of Detroit's cultural fabric. The park and boats were more than just entertainment; they were symbols of a simpler time, when the pace of life was slower, and summer days stretched out endlessly.
The Detroit, Windsor and Belle Isle Ferry Company opened up a recreation park on the Detroit River in 1898, about 18 miles southwest of Windsor. The company was busy during the week, moving people and goods up and down the river. They created a destination to keep themselves busy on the weekend. The 18-mile boat ride was carried out by the famous ships: the Columbia, built in 1902, and the Ste. Claire. The boats ceased their 81-year run in 1991, and the park closed in 1993. The rides were sold to other amusement parks around the country.
The park's closure in 1993 marked the end of an era for many Detroiters who had fond memories of spending summers riding the ferry to Boblo Island, visiting its amusement park, or just enjoying a picnic. The legend of Boblo is still strong, and the boats themselves, now historic relics, have been the subject of preservation efforts.
The Bob-Lo boat was more than just a means of transportation; it was a symbol of summer traditions and a slower pace of life. Even after the park's closure, the memories of Boblo Island and the Bob-Lo boat continued to live on in the hearts of those who had experienced them.
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The boats were called the Columbia and the SS Ste. Claire
The boats that took people to Boblo Island were called the Columbia and the SS Ste. Claire. The Columbia was built in 1902, and the Ste. Claire was also built around this time. The boats were operated by the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company, which was renamed the Bob-Lo Excursion Company, Ltd. The boats were taken out of service for the 1933 and 1934 seasons, but were brought back in 1935. The boats ceased their 81-year run in 1991, and the park closed in 1993. The boats are now historic relics and have been the subject of preservation efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bob-Lo boat first went out in Detroit in 1898.
The Bob-Lo boat ran for 81 years, until 1991.
The Bob-Lo boat was operated by the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company, later renamed the Bob-Lo Excursion Company, Ltd.











































