You can buy an island and build your bride a dream summer home! At least that is what George Boldt did in 1900. He bought an island in the Thousand Island region of New York State, changed the name from Hart Island to Heart Island and commissioned a castle to be built as a summer home for his bride Louise called Boldt Castle. Just before the home was completed tragedy struck and Louise died. George was so distraught he abandoned the Castle and left the island never to return. That seems crazy to me – how do you walk away? Love is crazy and so is too much money! This place is amazing or it could have been. It is huge, but sat vacant for over 70 years until the Bridge Authority took it over and they have been working to rebuild some of it. The stipulation when they took over was no one was to ever spend a night there so it is only for site seeing and of course they have weddings there because it is so beautiful.
We picked a freezing cold day to take a tour along with a boat tour of the USA and Canada 1000 Island region! Have a look!
Boldt Castle from Alexandria Bay, looking across
The Boldt Boathouse!
The boathouse, some of the bays are tall enough that the boats did not have to remove their masts
That just seems over the top to me! The sleeping quarters for the boat caretaker is larger than most peoples homes. I guess that is what you do when you have so much money you can’t spend it fast enough.
Nearest neighbor to Boldt Castle! Their yacht is larger than my whole home!
One of the many antique boats that are on display in the boat house
Another view
This little boat was so cute, I can just picture being taken for a ride in this in 1900. Life was very comfortable for the rich during these times.
The power house
The front of the power house
I had to change to my phone because the camera’s battery went dead. The phone had a weird setting so this photo came out in black and white! I thought it looked pretty cool!
This is where all the electricity was going to be generated. There is a tunnel that goes from here into the castle that is not renovated and pretty crude. It was going to be used to bring supplies to the main house without going through the grounds or home. The place was very well planned out and was going to be a really spectacular place where the rich would go and have lavish parties and holidays. I’m sure that they found other places to party!
Walking through the tunnel and the non-renovated lower floor
The clock tower
The main floor, entry and rooms have been renovated. The stained glass is the center piece in the main entry!
From above the stained glass
The castle is huge and goes on forever it seems. There is so much that is falling apart. I thought it was really fun to be able to be above the stained glass and be able to see how it was lit! They use light, so the glass is not outside and exposed to the elements. It looks as though that was how it was built by the original workers.
Just walking along outside the castle
The Thousand Island region is beautiful and our boat ride gave us a good look at the wealth from the early days as well as now! These are not summer cottages, there are a few but mostly these are huge beautiful estates.
Some of the islands
Now that is a cottage! More like a houseboat that isn’t floating! There isn’t much land to walk around on
We also found the perfect spot on Wellesley Island for a picnic
We had already eaten lunch, but it was still very inviting!
The next Pepsi model!
And of course every picnic area needs a family of Geese!
Or Two!
Make that Three!
Three separate families of geese, all hanging out in the park! I think they were all related and on their own picnic until we showed up!
I don’t have money but I’m responding! That’s a pretty cool place. I’ll have to add to my “visit” list once I retire 🙂
Love the house on the small island. I wonder if water skiers create a wake big enough to hit the house? And where do there park the boat? And how is Oscar suppose to chase a ball with no yard? Hehe. Looks like a fun trip you’re having…stay in touch.
Oscar can swim!