The main northbound shipping channel of the Detroit River currently lies between Boblo Island and the Amherstburg mainland.

A stone lighthouse was built in 1836 on the southern tip of Boblo Island which marks the historical beginning of the Detroit River navigation channel for ships travelling upriver from Lake Erie in more modern times.

Its association with the ancient Sauk Trail, the earliest European reference made about the island in 1718, which describes 70 First Nation families peacefully farming the fertile land, later it became the place where French Catholic had a mission for the Wyandot (Wendat) First Nation (also known as "the Huron Indians") in the 18th century, the location of the site of the headquarters for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh ("Shooting Star") the leader of a large tribal confederacy (known as Tecumseh's Confederacy), during the War of 1812, and it was the location of the invasion point for 60 Canadian "Patriots" on January 8, 1838 during the Upper Canada Rebellion.

The Nightmare, Falling Star, Wild Mouse, Sky Streak and Screamer were the signature rides.

During the Vietnam War, when Canada had become a safe haven for those who refused to be drafted into the U.S. Army, Boblo Island became an efficient transit point for Americans who sought refuge from prosecution.

[10] Livingston, Patrick, Summer Dreams - The Story of Bob-lo Island (Wayne State University Press 2008)