Claire is being brought back to its old glory at Riverside Marina in Detroit and the plan is to keep it in the area when restoration is complete in about three years. Nothing quite says 'creepy' like an abandoned amusement park, except in the case of Boblo Island. This Ones for Sale in Lake Superior, 14 Gifts Teachers Say They Love Getting During Teacher Appreciation Week, from $0-$20, 17 Summer Camps in Michigan Your Kids Will Absolutely Love This Year. The final destination is not set in stone yet, but we want it to be a dockside attraction on the Detroit River in Detroit accessible to the public, Stephen Faraj, restoration project manager told MLive. Related:Coney Island Wasn't Always Known For Its Beach And Theme Parks. Claire. It will be loaded with nostalgia from Boblo and youll really get a feeling of what people used to experience. Its amusement rides were sold in 1994. Were definitely looking forward to seeing the impending feature-length Boblo documentary that Sarah Elizabeth Rays story is drawn from, he said. [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). More More. "Boblo Boats" will have a regional release in about 20 theaters in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, with a streaming release scheduled to follow in 2023. Kids could also take a stroll through the amusement park zoo, which was a big hit with families. Many thought the Detroit icons were a thing of the past following the fire on the Ste. When Ste. Our sense is that Sarah Elizabeth Rays history is not particularly well-known in metro Detroit, a place that is certainly known to indulge in some Boblo nostalgia, Byrne said. [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. But first, we need you to sign in to PBS using one of the services below. The Ste. or in the PBS app. The Victorian-style amusement park was the crowning glory of Ontario although now it sits, an empty reminder of the fun that many once had on the ferry ride to this island. MLive has been updating you over the years on the restoration efforts of both the S.S. Ste. More From Ideastream. Claire is being brought back to its old glory at Riverside Marina in Detroit and the We can remove the first show in the list to add this one. We respect your privacy and will not share your contact information. "Yeah, she's 110 years old, but she's well-built and she survived," said boat co-owner, Ron Kattoo. He walked around the boat pointing out original equipment like the steam engine, the smokestack, the steering wheel, the air compressor, and the dance area. More More. The festivals focus is documentaries, and our particular sweet spot is documentaries with strong local connections or important local stories. Boblo Island was once home to many attractions during its heyday, which lasted nearly a century before shutting its doors for good. The ship itself is old and important, but its the memories that people have that give it so much value, Schillinger told the Freep. [23] Townhouses and condominiums were proposed in 1997. DETROIT We are restoring one of Detroit's most iconic steamships, the Ste. Thats one thing you werent able to do back in the day. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Detroit kid knew it heralded the coming of summer and the magic of ferrying over to nearby Boblo Island Amusement Park. WebWatch Now; Showtimes; DVDS & MERCH; Sponsorship; Impact; Press. She can be reached at lianna.t@thetravel.com, Nothing quite says 'creepy' like an abandoned amusement park, Coney Island Wasn't Always Known For Its Beach And Theme Parks, Thrill-Seekers! Clair, are the last two, day-excursion steamers left in the country. We want to create an area on the Riverfront where people can come enjoy the boat.. After 85 years of operation, these two sister steamships the oldest in America - find their fates resting in the hands of an unlikely band of heroes. Your 2023 Guide to Hummingbird Season in Michigan: What to Know, Education 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. If we dont understand each other, dont hold at least some common ground on where weve come from and where were headed there will be fissures. More From WNMU-TV PBS. The 105-year-old ferry steamer once took families from Detroit to the Boblo amusement park, located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, 18 miles south of Windsor. Copyright 2023 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), all rights reserved. It was known as the second largest in the world, according toAtlas Obscura, with the capacity to fit 5,000 people into its light-filled dancefloor. They are very historical. The ruins of what remains can be seen via the waterway that separates both Michigan and Ontario, but for many, the memories of this once-bustling park are what truly keep it alive. WebDocumentary brings Boblo Island amusement park back to life - Windsor Star - 7/22/22. To move visitors around the island, the park had a small railroad. Theyre presenting an opportunity to watch a special short film about Detroiter Sarah Elizabeth Ray, who fought all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to establish Black peoples legal right to ride the Boblo boats and enjoy the island amusement park. [32] The dance hall was the second largest in the world, holding 5,000 dancers at full capacity[31] and featured one of the world's largest orchestrions from the Welte company: a 16 foot tall, 14 foot wide, self-playing Wotan-model orchestrion with 419 pipes and percussion section. We feel like its more about the Boblo history.. [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. [2], The State of Michigan brought a racial discrimination case against the operators of the ferry service. The amusement park closed down in 1993 and now one WDET listener wants to know what's on Bobl DONT MISS: Livestreams, Drive-Ins, and Curbside Concessions: How to Get Your Movie Theater Fix in Michigan. For Boblo Island, this included its once top-of-the-line amusement park. 2023 FOX Television Stations, DPD host walk to raise awareness on National Crime Victims Rights Week, WATCH - Jennifer Hammond was in Allen Park as the Lions introduced their 2023 first round picks, 'No Beef Zone in effect' by Detroit activists in Greektown to keep the peace. "We are at the point in restoration to where it was a steel skeleton structure ready to be rebuilt." The ferries, which could hold around 2,500 passengers, took people on an 18-mile cruise on the Detroit river to Boblo Island Amusement Park. [1], The park was located on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario, just above the mouth of the Detroit River. Byrne added that they were impressed with the teams approach to telling Rays story, especially because directly related archival materials were limited. [4], IBC declared bankruptcy in 1991. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every 05/01/2023 | 54m 11s A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. BUY DVDS & MERCH When Ste. Martha Spall Each level is being reinforced with steel framing. A film seven years in the making, "Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale" is now in theatres, showing a history of Boblo Island, as well the restoration of the boats. A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. Now that the 200-foot ship has been moved, restoration work will resume. is a writer from Southeast Michigan inspiring and moving readers with humanistic stories all Michiganders have an investment in. And visitors of all races were able to enjoy those attractions for all those years thanks to Sarah Elizabeth Ray. Before finding a home with TheTravel, her focus was indie publications and she has been published with Bolde, The Arts Fuse, The Silver Tongue, LI Pulse, Tattooed Heroine Magazine, and more. Its also on DVD. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Not a single lot was sold between 9/11 and May 2004. Amanpour and Company. With its excursion steamboats being half the fun of traveling to Boblo Island, the amusement park was quite a buzzing destination for the better part of 85 years. The fire could not be contained and destroyed the historic mahogany woodwork and upper decks. [14], The 1993 season proved bumpy and was marred by miscues including disputes with island residents and the Canadian Coast Guard, compounded by the leader of Enchanted Parks, Michael Moodenbaugh, being seriously injured and breaking his spine in a car accident in Toledo, Ohio, in September. When Ste. When Ste. Discuss: Freep Film Festival will be hosting a live conversation with the films writer-director Aaron Schillinger, historian Desiree Cooper, and animator Bec Sloane at 7 p.m. Wednesday on the Free Press Facebook page and Freep Film Festivals YouTube. Stephen Farajs family owns the Ste. My List Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale 05/01/2023 | 54m 11s Trailer Preview: S1 | 30s Extended Trailer Preview: S1 | 2m 48s Episodes Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale 05/01/2023 | 54m 11s Extras Trailer Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale, the award-winning documentary exploring the history of Boblo Island amusement park and its ferries, is now available to stream on demand and to own on DVD. [25], American investors were scared away after the September 11 attacks, which hurt the financial outlook for the development. As for the Boblo boats, the SS Columbia is being restored in Buffalo, NY by a nonprofit that is working to turn her into a venue for culture and history docked in New Many thought the Detroit icons were a thing of the past following the fire on the Ste. The island on which this amusement park once sat went by the actual name of Bois Blanc Island but was abbreviated to Boblo Island. By: Boblo Boats Film. [1] Other smaller ferries served the park from Amherstburg and Gibraltar, Michigan, which were located closer to the park on the Detroit River. A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat.MoreMore. So the festivals role here is amplifying an interesting, and somewhat unsung, tale that has important things to say about our community. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Despite the fact that the park itself and its attractions have been dissolved, the island still holds a space for where it once was. PHOTOS: HISTORIC PHOTOS OF BOBLO ISLAND BOAT, PHOTOS: BOBLO BOAT CATCHES FIRE AT DETROIT MARINA ON DETROIT RIVER. Boblo Island documentary 'Boblo Boats' heading to theaters - The Detroit News - 7/18/22 This Ones for Sale in Lake Superior, Michigan Life Note: This is for [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. Larry Benaroya, his associate, and his Northern Capital took control of the property; Mancini was fired, and the ownership group put it back on the market in January 1994. 7 Action News had the opportunity to tour the boat while it is docked and being restored on the citys east side, Blast from the past: Come along on a walk-through of a Detroit Boblo Boat. benefit. The SS Ste. [10], With no buyers materializing, Norton Auctioneers of Coldwater, Michigan, was retained to sell the property at auction on February 10, 1993. "They still have their original steam engines intact and everything. My List Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale 05/01/2023 | 54m 11s Trailer Preview: S1 | 30s Extended Trailer Preview: S1 | 2m 48s Episodes Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale 05/01/2023 | 54m 11s Extras Trailer Preview: S1 | 30s Extended Trailer Preview: S1 | 2m 48s A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. The film will also And of course, the festival appreciates the opportunity to be attached to strong filmmaking, which this definitely is. A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. [19] He vaguely proposed a casino, hotel, and other development. So, when might the public get the chance to indulge their childhood nostalgia? Those visiting from nearby areas ofAmherstburg, Ontario, andGibraltar, Michigan had the option to board smaller ferries, as well. Its once-popular Victorian-era rides and entertainment decreased in popularity and saw a drastic lessening of traffic following the late 1980s. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every This amusement park, while once the delight of both kids and adults until the early 90s, has been abandoned for more than two decades. More More. Its important that we keep providing context, delivering facts, sharing stories that matter., MORE STORIES: WATCH: How a Detroit Bookstore Owner Kept Her Community Reading During the Pandemic. Claire WDIV channel 4 8/16/15. 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. Claire also known as one of the two old Boblo boats is now docked on the Rouge River in Detroit. A documentary, Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale, will play at select Emagine locations from Sept. 15-29. Aaron Schillinger, the director of the new film Boblo Boats: A Detroit Fairy Tale said people have been reaching out from just about everywhere with their Boblo boat stories. You may have an unactivated KERA Passport member Claire, could be ready for public in a year - ABC Detroit WXYZ - 9/22/22, Boblo boat looks to make comeback - Detroit Free Press - 9/26/22, New film floats old memories - NBC Buffalo WGRZ - 9/22/22, Group offers rare glimpse at efforts to restore historic Boblo Island steamship - Windsor Star - 9/23/22, NPR interview with April Baer - Michigan Radio on Stateside - 9/20/22, A new film on the Boblo Boats hits theaters - CBC Windsor Morning with Nav Nanwa - 9/20/22, A noble quest, along with an emerging racial-justice theme, temper the flaky fun and poignant nostalgia - Hour Detroit - 9/16/22, Ste. "This is exclusive to Detroit," said Tony Laginess, a Boblo enthusiast. After many travels during a B.A. Claire, a Boblo Boat moored near Riverside Marina, is currently being restored with hopes of completing the superstructure by this year. More More. More More. 14 Gifts Teachers Say They Love Getting During Teacher Appreciation Week, from $0-$20, Michigan Life Whitmer Known For Her Wit, This Flint-Based Performance Artist Became a Full-Time Creative During Quarantine, Is Thrifting During COVID Safe? July 31, 2020 2:50 pm EDT, Originally Published Documentary follows the restoration of historic Boblo boat - WDET Detroits NPR station - 10/11/22, Blast from the past: Boblo Boat, Ste. Get extended access to 1600+ episodes, binge watch your favorite shows, and stream anytime - online "[2] The Michigan Supreme Court fined the company $25 for the discrimination they presented towards Ray. And while the boat wont move, visitors will still get to feel and see the engine just as they did when the boat took them to the island. Thats what happened to Sarah that day on the boat.. What was really lost was the irreplaceable pieces we wont be able to bring back, but we know that we have enough of the boat preserved for it to still be the Boblo Boat and well be able to recreate what was lost, Faraj added. [30], The Falling Star, log flume, Enterprise, Sky Tower (Space Needle), Ferris wheel, a zoo, and a carousel were the signature attractions. A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. Boblo Island Amusement Park is an abandoned amusement park which operated from 1898 until its closure on September 30, 1993. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. More From KQED. [24] The island was off limits to non-residents until 2002. Related:Thrill-Seekers! Claire was featured in the movie "Transformers 4, Age of Extinction" when portions of the film were was produced in Detroit in 2013. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. These Are The Most Breathtaking Japanese Gardens In The U.S. Water Views: 10 Most Beautiful Lakes In Upstate New York. Ray left the boat and reported the incident to the NAACP, and future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall was on the case. A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. The Boblo boats still exist and a documentary about them is hitting theaters - MLive - 7/20/22. Sign up for free videos, behind-the-scenes content and discounts on the film. This is something that my family grew up riding and doing. However, renovations are ongoing, and the public might be able to Use one of the services below to sign in to PBS: You've just tried to add this video to My List. Michigan Life People telling me about how they worked on the Boblo Boat, their school trip was on the Boblo Boat, they got married or engaged on the Boblo Boat, their first kiss is on the Boblo Boat.. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Clair and the SS Columbia brought eager park-goers from Detroit, Michigan to the island, each one able to accommodate a whopping 2,500 passenger limit. UP NEXT: 6 Books to Help You Understand the Civil Rights and Unrest of the Times. It shows where one persons effort accumulates with all the other efforts that came before it, and theres a tipping point, Cooper also said in conversation with the Free Press. $19 million in debt, John's brother Randy forced Boblo Island into court-appointed receivership in 2004. WebOur virtual cinema is now closed unless you have already purchased a copy of the film. The Columbia is being restored in New York and will stay there for good, but the Ste. The one big thing visitors wont experience is a trip on the river. A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. [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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Were not going to go up and down the river. Published: Monday, July 18, 2022 12:00 pm. Deck three will have the beer garden where parents used to hang out while their kids ran around the boat. There will also be a Boblo museum on board. We will run it on an electrical motor so it will spin and youll be able to look, just like you did as a kid, down into the engine room and see it move, but we feel it will be much more beneficial to preserve the original steam engine than to gut it and try to make the boat go up and down the river.. "These two ships, the Columbia and the Ste. Im not surprised actually that no one has heard this story, Schillinger told the Detroit Free Press. A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. In 1991, those boats were sold and smaller ferries took people from Gibraltar, Mich., to the island, as well as Amherstburg. Chicago Tonight. The main levels floor needed to be remade following the fire. For 38-year-old Schillinger, the journey of his debut feature film Boblo Boats: And it's kind of insane because I live in Ferndale now, but I'm originally from Virginia, fire significantly damaged the boat in 2018. [20] Oram then leased and shut down the White Sands boater's hangout adjacent to the park site, citing trespassers but infuriating boaters; as a result, the lease was dropped within weeks. [28] However, a local housing slump meant little was developed. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. After the boats docked at night back in Detroit, Mr. Short continued entertaining at the local bars and taverns he frequented.[33]. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. [16] Moodenbaugh later sued Benaroya and others for attempting to sell the park while he lay in a "virtual coma". WHATS ON TONIGHT Full Schedule 2023-05-01T19:00:00-05:00: Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show: 2023-05-01T21:00:00-05:00 psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every Detroit kid knew it heralded the Martha Spall, Last Updated My List Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale 05/01/2023 | 54m 11s Trailer Preview: S1 | 30s Extended Trailer Preview: S1 | 2m 48s Episodes Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale 05/01/2023 | 54m 11s Extras Trailer Preview: S1 | 30s Extended Trailer Preview: S1 | 2m 48s Check to see. When Ste. That first trip is what ignited a lifelong passion, and it's one that continues to be fueled through pen and paper Or, in this case, a keyboard and a computer screen. High School Bowl Ask the Doctors Media Meet A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. The animated documentary, Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale is now available for online streaming via Eventive. It boasted an orchestra machine, big band nights, andone of the largest orchestrions in the world, and was financed by Henry Ford. The other Boblo boat, the SS Columbia was moved earlier this year from Toledo, Ohio to Buffalo, New York. Donate Now to KERA Visit Official Site. A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. High School Bowl Ask the Doctors Media Meet A doctor, psychic and amusement park Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. For instance, there were 110-year old Mahogany walls. After the boat company lost several appeals, the case landed at the U.S. Supreme Court, where Ray was victorious.. When its all said and done, Faraj hopes all of the millions of dollars and years of work spent to restore the Ste. There is nothing else like this around.". Claire will not only allow people to relive a part of their childhood, but give those who never went to the amusement park a chance to experience what it was like to ride the ferry over. Whatever happened to Boblo Island's Victorian-era amusement park, and why does it sit now, abandoned in Ontario? In fact, for a long time, it was only accessible by steamboat which is what made visiting such a unique experience. DETROIT - Part of the grand history of Detroit was on the move Wednesday. When Ste. The steamboats, too, were sold, as there was no reason for visitors to travel to the island without an amusement park to greet them once they arrived. Now her home is a historic site. Once restored, the boat will remain docked to keep it from being damaged. It was just too rotted to keep up there.. He explained why the project is so important to his family. The Columbia is being restored in New York and will stay there for good, but the Ste. Press; Press Kit; Story; Crew & Cast Bios; Contact; Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale Q&A screening and The SS Ste. Michigan History. Right here is where the infamous dance floor would have been. Freep Film Festival wanted to amplify Rays story in metro Detroit, both as an important chapter of the areas own history and as meaningful community context around current uprisings against racial injustice. The steel will allow us to have people on that level. DETROIT - They took countless passengers to and from Boblo Island over the course of the amusement parks more than 100 years of existence. During the late 1800s, 1898, to be specific, travel by steamboat was all the rage. Claire in 2018. A lot of people have all these fun, happy memories of Boblo, and I think that is the message that a lot of people have just been sitting with for decades. My List Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale 05/01/2023 | 54m 11s Trailer Preview: S1 | 30s Extended Trailer Preview: S1 | 2m 48s Episodes Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale 05/01/2023 | 54m 11s Extras Trailer Preview: S1 | 30s Extended Trailer Preview: S1 | 2m 48s (WXYZ) Generations of Detroiters have a soft spot in their hearts for Boblo Island and the Boblo Boats. The cars operated by drawing power from an overhead electric grid unlike the Bumper Boats in use today. When Ste. But first, we need you to sign in to PBS using one of the services below. Donate Now to KQED Visit Official Site. WebBob-Lo boats The island is a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario , and 18 miles from Detroit. [6] In February 1992, the park was put up for sale for US$9 million, half of its 1988 purchase price, though it committed to opening it for that summer. [26] KPMG found there was no money left to continue supplying basic services. Answers and Advice From an Industry Expert. Claire and SS Columbia sounded their whistles, every A doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save Detroit's beloved Boblo Boat. BBC News. The SS Ste. When Ste. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); DETROIT, MI Now through Friday, you can watch and learn about the unsung Detroiter who fought for Black peoples right to ride the citys famous Boblo boats, courtesy of the Detroit Free Press, Freep Film Festival, and the filmmakers who came to them with her story. [32], Boblo's Scootaboats, which were very similar to well known Bumper Cars, were a popular ride. Were living that tipping point in this exact moment. Two large steamships, the Columbia and the Ste. Michigan History. Thank you. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The SS Ste. Germany's Phantasialand Is A Theme Park Haven. Streams are buried underneath Detroit. Boblo Island today: There is new life on the island 23 years after the closing of the amusement park. [15] Moodenbaugh had hired Liberal MPP Remo Mancini to help market the park. A few other cities that had covered streams have dug them up and restored them to a more natural state. For more than 85 years, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was famous for Many thought the Detroit icons were a thing of the past following the fire on the Ste. For more than 85 years, the Boblo Island Amusement Park was famous for being served by the Steamer Ste Claire and the Steamer Columbia excursion boats that could hold about 2,500 passengers each. "Anybody who is from Detroit, you can ask (them), and they have memories of the Boblo Boat.". Detroit, MI Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale, a documentary that follows preservationists efforts to save Americas oldest surviving passenger steamships from the scrapyard, will have its theatrical release in September 2022 through Emagine Entertainment. By 1993, the park was completely shut down, and its rides sold off one by one. More More. Ever Wanted to Own an Island? In 1945, Ray, a secretary, had completed a training in the city ordinance department and joined her class for their graduation on the S.S. Columbia, one of two Boblo boats, the Freeps Chanel Stitt wrote. Sailing to Boblo Island Amusement Park was an integral part of experiencing summer in Detroit for decades, up to the closure of the boats and park in the early 90s.