An Island With A Heart - Boldt Castle

Dec 18

Boldt Castle sits way up high on the hill.

The massive shingle-style Boldt Yacht House located across the water from the castle, on Wellesley Island, is one of only a few wooden yacht house structures of its kind. Designed by G.W. & W.D. Hewitt, built in 1903, it holds Mr. Boldt’s vintage boat collection as well as a large caretaker’s residence.

George C. Boldt, a millionaire associated with New York City’s Waldorf Astoria and Bellevue-Stratford Hotels, built a magnificent 120-room castle as a grand expression of love for his wife, Louise. The castle was constructed on picturesque Hart Island, which Boldt renamed Heart Island, in the Saint Lawrence River.

Construction began in 1900, with no detail or expense spared. The elaborate estate featured underground tunnels, Italian gardens, a playhouse, and even its own powerhouse. Heart Island is part of the Thousand Islands, a collection of more than 1,800 islands straddling the border between the United States and Canada. In the early 1900s, the region became a fashionable retreat for wealthy families.

The area is also rumored to be the birthplace of Thousand Island salad dressing, adding a touch of culinary lore to its rich history.

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The entry arch water gate was the formal entry for guests visiting by yacht.

Looking up at the massive 60,000 square-foot mansion designed by G.W. & W.D. Hewitt

The six-story historic castle is a major tourist attraction in the area.

It looks like a fairytale castle, but has never been lived in, although it has been standing for over a century.

Pictured here is the grand entrance area with Italian Carrara marble on the floor, oak millwork on the walls and decorative plaster ceiling.

Grand staircase looking down at the entrance area

Grand staircase with stained glass dome above

The gorgeous stained-glass skylight contains over 6,000 pieces of glass.

Looking at the stained glass skylight from above

The elaborate ballroom ceiling with state of the art crown molding

The billiard room was completely restored in the 1990’s.

The billiard room with elaborate plaster ceiling

The huge open kitchen was a utilitarian space so it had no plaster work or wood trim.

Drying rack in the kitchen

The reception room was originally completed in 1904, and restored in 1993.

Formal dining room with the table set for eighteen guests

Second floor bedroom

Louise Boldt’s bedroom

Clover Boldt’s Bedroom

Mrs. Boldt’s second floor sitting room

This unrestored third floor gives us an idea of what the rooms looked like prior to the restoration.

Third-floor unfinished tower bedroom

Looking at the roofline from the third floor balcony

This roof detail contains a male deer which is the symbol of Mr. Boldt’s European coat of arms.

Alster Tower was modeled after a German defense tower and contained play areas, a theater, kitchen and a a two-lane bowling alley.

Finished area in the partially restored Alster Tower

The Alster Tower entertainment space, was used as a living area for the Boldt family while the castle was being built. - Restoration in progress

Looking out at the Saint Lawrence River from Alster Tower

Outdoor terrace

The Power House was built to hold a generator to supply the island with power.

Nearly destroyed by a fire in the 1930’s, the photogenic Power House was one of the first renovation projects to be completed.

Gazebo

One of the vintage boats

Vintage boat

Yacht House interior

The elegant sitting room of the Yacht House features extensive living quarters.

Entrance to living quarters of Yacht House

Yacht House roofline

In January 1904 Louise died suddenly at the age of 31, and Mr. Boldt ordered all work stopped. He could not bear to return to the island. The castle and other buildings on Heart Island were left abandoned battling the wind, snow, ice, rain and, of course, vandals. In the 1920’s, Edward Noble, the president of Life Savers candy company, purchased the castle and opened it up for tours, but did not maintain it, letting it continue to deteriorate. In 1977, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property and has invested several millions into restoring, rehabilitating and improving on the structures.

You can read about Mr. Boldt’s neighbor on Dark Island.

What you should know:

It is open May though October; check website for exact dates/times.
There are self-guided mansion and grounds tours.
Boat tours from both the U.S. and Canada stop at Heart Island.
Canadian citizens need to show proper documentation since Heart Island is in the U.S.
The castle does not have climate control; dress appropriately for the weather.
Restrooms are available.
There is a shuttle boat from Heart Island to the yacht house and Alexandra Bay; tickets can be bought in-person or on-line.
Admission to the castle and yacht house were included in my Uncle Sam Boat Tour.

Location:

Heart Island across from Alexandra Bay, New York

For more information: Boldt Castle