The following is excerpted from the Boldt Castle website (couldn’t have said it better myself): https://www.boldtcastle.com/visitorinfo/about
A BRIEF HISTORY
At the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size Rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island. The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise.
Beginning in 1900, the Boldt family spent summers in the 1000 Islands at the Boldt Families Wellesley House near Mr. Boldt’s Wellesley Island Farms while 300 workers including stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, Alster tower (children’s playhouse) and a dove cote. Not a single detail or expense was spared.
In January 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the workers to immediately “stop all construction.” Louise had died suddenly. A broken hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.
For 73 years, the castle and various stone structures were left to the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow and vandals. When the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, it was decided that through the use of all net revenues from the castle operation it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.
Since 1977, several million dollars have been applied to rehabilitating, restoring and improving the Heart Island structures.
IN OUR TIME
Marty and I had previously visited Boldt Castle, about 6 years ago, and were awed by the structure and by the amount of work (and money) that the State of New York has invested to restore the building and its period rooms. The property is clearly a tourist destination and ultimately worth the effort to infuse tourist dollars into the economy of Alexandria Bay and the Thousand Islands in general.
At present, we are docked at the Thousand Islands Club, which was established by Mr. Boldt on Wellesley Island as a golf and yacht club, across from the site of the castle on Heart Island, . What a lovely spot! We have enjoyed dinner on the mansion veranda, cocktails in the foyer lounge, conversation at the firepit, freighter viewing on the Saint Lawrence River from the flagpole, and our own special dockage directly off the historic boathouse. I feel like royalty! This is my kind of marina!
We contemplated taking Aisling, or Pudgy the dingy, to Heart Island which invites boaters to tie up and visit. Instead we elected to walk to the Boldt Boathouse and take the pontoon boat to Heart Island and the Castle. We needed the walk and the boats were happy at their historic dock. While there are separate docks for pleasure boats and tour boats, we were satisfied that we made the decision not to involve our boats but rather our feet.
In these Covid times, it was uncomfortable for us to be lingering in the populated castle interiors. Much as I wanted to see each and every room, Marty was at his limit. We walked the lovely grounds and appreciated the Alster Tower playhouse (oh my!), the gardens and ponds, the docks, and the power plant.
Taking the pontoon boat back to the Boldt Boathouse, where we had begun our exploration, we toured the architecturally significant boathouse structure as well as the amazing collection of historic boats within. A good long walk back to the TI Club and our boat, after which the heavens opened up in big and unexpected way! Our good fortune continues!
Aisling goes Looping 