Souvenirs from Boblo Island Amusement Park on Bois Blancs Island south of Detroit 1764 Ratzer Map (U. of Michigan, Clements Library) Detail showing “Bufflo” Here in Western New York the ...

to the Boblo Island amusement park on Bois Blanc Island. Launched in 1902, the Columbia, along with SS Ste. Claire (launched in 1910), traveled the waters of the Detroit River until 1991.

As a condition of developing the island — still known to many by its former name Boblo Island — the town said it secured two legal commitments to safeguard the community’s interests.

When Ste. 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. After 85 ...