BOLDT CASTLE

July 2008. The information for this article came mostly from the Castle’s own information pamphlet, and from conversations with guides.

From a humble beginning as a poor immigrant, George Boldt (1851-1916) worked his way up to becoming one of America’s richest men (think Waldorf Astoria and other great hotels). In 1877 he married Louise, 15 years his junior, to whom he devoted his life and love ever after. She was his business partner in many ventures, and bore him two children.

In 1896 they bought the 5 acre (2 ... (more)

The castle's location ..
… is shown by the red dot in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, just...

Woefully neglected ...
... and desolate were about the only words to describe it back in the 1980s.

tour boat loading
Heart Island is located in American waters, but may be reached by tour...

The world's shortest ...
… international bridge joins these two islets. The island with...

a laker ...
… heading up the St Lawrence, probably toward the upper Great...

somebody's private yacht
The Thousand Islands region is prime cottage and yachting country.

approaching the Castle
Tour boats proceed along the north edge of Heart Island, and tie up at...

from the north side ...
… while approaching the dock. The castle is 160 feet (49m) on the...

the ''hennery'' ...
… or dove-cote. This was the first stone construction on the...

the power house
This miniature chateau (a.k.a. the “Water Castle”) contained...

the Arch of Honour
In 1899 Boldt had this built of granite as a dramatic entrance where small...

the swan pond
This is located behind the Roman-style arch, and was intended as a tasteful...

swan pond plaque

artist's conception ...
... of what the swan pond was intended to look like.

Alster Tower
This unique and whimsical 90-foot creation was also known as the “play...

the other side
This is how the Alster Tower looks from the veranda of the Castle.

view from the dock
This is what you see today when you disembark and line up to go through US...

the Yacht House ...
… as seen looking northward across the channel toward Wellesley...

at the dock

leaving the dock ...
… having made it through US Customs. You walk up a slight grade past an...

heart-shaped plantings …
… in the Italianate garden. The heart motif was used everywhere...

approaching the entrance

some historical documentation

1st and 2nd floor plans
… with an “afterthought” about the 3rd floor

the grand staircase
This is the first thing that catches your eye when you enter through the Main...

mirrored balcony
It’s visible at the top right in the previous photo.

from the top of the staircase
This angle gives a good view of the marble steps. The original staircase...

Louise Boldt
No wonder George fell in love with her!

another angle
Looking from the balcony, and you can see that there is another...

the reception room
It's next to the billiard room, on the first floor.

music room
This is one of the many rooms furnished with donated or purchased...

piano

acknowledgement ...
… of furnishings and artifacts donated for the project by...

an organ ...
… in a separate music room which, I suppose, could have been used as a...

Italian table
What a magnificent piece of furniture!

miscellaneous furnishings

the dining room
One can easily imagine the crème de la crème of American society...

dining room cabinet

dining room acknowledgement

upper floors plan

the spectacular domed skylight ...
… on the fourth floor. It is surrounded by intricate plaster...

Here’s an example.

... and another
Hearts were everywhere. This is on one of the many outdoor balconies.

Boldt hotels artifacts
The famous Waldorf Astoria is one of the buildings shown.

my friend Margo admiring ...
… some of the heirloom china.

more historical artifacts

Yours Truly ...
… looking out from one of the parapets

a tour boat ...
… as shot by telephoto from the parapet. This one is from Alexandria Bay...

turrets ...
… as viewed from the parapet. These upper levels have not yet been...

under reconstruction
These three photos show areas yet to be completed. When I visited...

work in progress

more work in progress

article published 07/22/2008

Comments

Add a comment

What a wonderful place and tragic storey. Thanks for the tour. Sharon
— Sharon Gallagher Lyall, August 9, 2008

Nanci forwarded me the link to your Boldt Castle piece, Fred, because she knew I'd enjoy your writing style. Little did Nanci know, however, that 46 years ago, I visited Boldt Castle, myself. Your article revived long forgotten memories of a week-long summer vacation with my dad. Thanks for sharing it with us!
— Aus Sheatsley, July 27, 2008

Thanks Fred. This was a wonderful trip back to the Thousand Islands which I love and miss. I have done the trip around the island but never taken the tour of the castle so this was a nice treat. Hard to imagine anyone having such money, eh, and yet how sad that he lost his wife so young. She must have been pretty excited too as she saw the castle emerging on their island. How terrific that it is being restored. I hear the Singer Island Tour down there is also spectacular. Love that smallest bridge between Canada and the USA. The structure also reminds me of the Fulford Mansion in Brockville. How nice to see an article from you that reviews something closer to home.
— Nanci, July 27, 2008

Holy Mackarel! Talk about luxury; that castle is quite stupendous! I like the picture of the smallest bridge as well, too cute!! I had no idea this place existed, another spot to add to my travelling list :)
— Misty Kehler, July 24, 2008

Thank goodness for the restoration . Boldt Castle and its surrounds are beautiful. Thank you Fred for this informative article .
— Margaret Sherwood, July 23, 2008

what a nice castle!
Thanks for sharingn this with us on Worldisround! It reminded me a bit of Casa Loma in Toronto with the turrets etc but with 1000 islands as the setting.
— Ben Hsu, July 23, 2008

Enjoyed the tour very much - beautiful pictures. I will put it n my travel list!!

-
— Barbara, July 23, 2008

As usual Fred, you have done an excellent job with fantastic photography and information. Well done!
— Margo, July 23, 2008

Dear Santa, for Christmas, would you please bring me either an island, a castle or a boathouse. Great coverage, Dad! It is not how I remembered seeing it years ago. Thanks!
— Angie Kehler, July 22, 2008

What a marvelous place!
I esp loved the powerhouse (10), Alster tower (15), Yacht house (18), reception room (30), dome (41) & of course the turrets (49). A worthy place for a stop if one is in the area, that's for sure ;o) Good job!!
— Lorraine Brecht, July 22, 2008

Bookmark with del.icio.us | Digg this article