July 2008. The information for this article came mostly from the Castles 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 Americas 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
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The castle's location ..
is shown by the red dot in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, just...
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Woefully neglected ... ... and desolate were about the only words to describe it back in the 1980s.
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tour boat loading Heart Island is located in American waters, but may be reached by tour...
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The world's shortest ...
international bridge joins these two islets. The island with...
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a laker ...
heading up the St Lawrence, probably toward the upper Great...
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somebody's private yacht The Thousand Islands region is prime cottage and yachting country.
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approaching the Castle Tour boats proceed along the north edge of Heart Island, and tie up at...
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from the north side ...
while approaching the dock. The castle is 160 feet (49m) on the...
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the ''hennery'' ...
or dove-cote. This was the first stone construction on the...
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the power house This miniature chateau (a.k.a. the Water Castle) contained...
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the Arch of Honour In 1899 Boldt had this built of granite as a dramatic entrance where small...
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the swan pond This is located behind the Roman-style arch, and was intended as a tasteful...
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swan pond plaque
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artist's conception ... ... of what the swan pond was intended to look like.
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Alster Tower This unique and whimsical 90-foot creation was also known as the play...
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the other side This is how the Alster Tower looks from the veranda of the Castle.
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view from the dock This is what you see today when you disembark and line up to go through US...
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the Yacht House ...
as seen looking northward across the channel toward Wellesley...
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at the dock
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leaving the dock ...
having made it through US Customs. You walk up a slight grade past an...
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heart-shaped plantings
in the Italianate garden. The heart motif was used everywhere...
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approaching the entrance
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some historical documentation
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1st and 2nd floor plans
with an afterthought about the 3rd floor
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the grand staircase This is the first thing that catches your eye when you enter through the Main...
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