While on the St. Lawrence, after checking back into US Customs we stopped at Singer Castle on Dark Island & Boldt Castle on Hart Island both in the 1000 Islands, N.Y.
Boldt Castle was built by George Boldt, the general manager of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, for his wife Louise. Unfortunately she died while it was being built and George left it unfinished and never returned to the island. We went there 25 years ago and it was a sad wreck. We were not going to visit it again until a woman in Waddington N.Y. told us how it was being refurbished and it was really worth seeing again.
We were SO glad we talked to her because the restoration that is being done by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority who now own it was nothing short of Spectacular. Honestly, I teared up when we went in and Gary was flabbergasted (where in the heck did that word come from). They have poured millions into the castle following the original plans as to the architectural details that were to go into the interior even down to the furnishings that would have been put in place.( I am sure Louise is smiling from above.) It is now a huge tourist attraction and wedding locale. Some of the pictures show rooms that have not been restored.
The following from Wikipedia:
The construction of Boldt Castle ceased abruptly in early 1904 after the death of Boldt's wife, Louise Kehrer Boldt. For 73 years, the castle and other stone structures were left exposed to the harsh winter weather and occasional vandals. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired Heart Island and the nearby yacht house in 1977, for one dollar, under the agreement that all revenues obtained from the castle operation would be applied towards restoration, so that the island would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. In the two decades after acquiring the property, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority spent some fifteen million dollars for restoration and improvements here, and work continues annually.
When we got there it was 11 am and the place was already jam packed. They have tour boats which come from Alexandria Bay across the river and a dock behind the castle for boaters. As luck would have it the dock was full and we were milling about waiting for someone to leave when I thought let's call the Castle office and see if we can tie up at the Yacht House. I was a bit surprised when they said "sure"! So you will see Tie A Knot moored at the beautifully restored turn of the century Yacht House at Boldt Castle!
Singer & Boldt Castles
This link will take interested readers to a brief history of Singer Castle.
http://www.singercastle.com/start.htmls.
I bet Gary swooned at the indoor boat wells :)
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