Historic Boblo Boats, Columbia and Ste. Claire, Shaped Lake Erie Tourism and Detroit's Recreation
The iconic Boblo Boats, the steamships Columbia and Ste. Claire, played a significant role in shaping tourism on Lake Erie and providing recreation for Metro Detroiters for decades. Built in 1902 and 1910 respectively, these vessels were capable of carrying over 2,500 passengers each and transported as many as 800,000 visitors annually to Boblo Island during its peak in the 1960s and 1970s. Boblo Island, originally named Bois Blanc, was an amusement park located 18 miles downriver from downtown Detroit. The journey to the island was a key part of the experience, offering a cool breeze and scenic views, especially before widespread air conditioning. The ships served as a vital link for leisure travel, connecting Detroiters to the island's attractions. The Boblo Island Amusement Park eventually closed on September 30, 1993, marking the end of an era for these beloved steamships. The Ste. Claire later suffered a fire in 2018 while docked in Detroit, and the Columbia underwent a $1.6 million hull restoration a... 
