Private Boblo Island is home to many public historic sites. Some worry about their upkeep.

For Amherstburg resident Bill Brundage, the restoration of the war-time Blockhouse on Boblo Island has been a labour of love — but now, not permitted to care for it himself, he's worried about its future.

The island, owned by Amico, is a private residential community. Only residents and approved visitors are allowed on the Amico-owned ferry that brings vehicles back and forth across the Detroit River from the mainland.

"They let me go over, but that's it. I just go over and look at it," Brundage said.

On Boblo, the new residential homes live alongside the old, with various structures of historic significance still standing throughout the island: old amusement park buildings from the island's heyday, an 1836 Parks Canada limestone light house, and the 1839 Blockhouse heritage building that was used by British troops to protect against military threats from Americans. 

It's that Blockhouse that Brundage has dedicated years to restoring. Its significance to Brundage is evident for anyone who steps into his apartment. Memorabilia is ever-present: a poster of the original engineering drawings, photos on the walls, plus an album full of memories from the restoration effort. 

It all began in 2010 during a visit to the island, when Brundage went to see the Blockhouse site and found the roof had caved in. 

"I was appalled at the condition it was in," he said. "I said, 'Somebody's gotta do something.' This is a very historic building."

It's the last remaining Blockhouse out of three that had been built in the 1800s. Brundage, a retired elementary school teacher and history major, says the Blockhouse is a "treasure" of great significance to Canada. 

Brundage led the charge to get the old building fixed up in order to preserve and honour it, with support from other community volunteers and donors — and most especially, with support from the late engineer Norm Becker. Becker's company donated the engineering, inspection and project management services required for the historic restoration of the Blockhouse.

During the restoration process, Brundage and volunteers excavated dozens of artifacts from the ground in and around the Blockhouse. He put those items on display inside the building. He would also welcome students on field trips to the Blockhouse and teach them about its history. 

But in the last few years, Brundage explained that his access has been limited by the company, citing safety concerns.

Even though the building is a National Historic Site of Canada, the public has no access to it anymore either. There is a fence surrounding the building at this time intended to protect the island's endangered snakes. 

"It should be open to the public," Brundage stressed. 

Prince says the company is making arrangements to have the Blockhouse accessible to the public in the near future — potentially in the next five years, when the new housing builds intended to be constructed on that side of the island are completed. Furthermore, Prince said a new restaurant is expected to be completed in the next few years, at which time the public will once again be permitted to use the ferry to come across.