Boldt & Singer Castle
Bolt Castle
At the turn of the 18th century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size Rhineland Castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island. The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise. In January 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the workers to immediately “stop all construction.” Louise had died suddenly. A broken hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. For 73 years, the castle and various stone structures were left to the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow and vandals. When the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, it was decided that through the use of all net revenues from the castle operation it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.
Singer Castle
A part of American history and local folklore meet at Singer Castle on Dark Island, located on the St. Lawrence River. Just a ‘shooting and fishing shack’ is how Frederick Bourne, fifth President of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, described this residence to his family when construction of the Castle commenced in 1899. Completed in 1905, the Castle remained in the possession of the original owners, the Bourne family until the mid 1960’s. Designed by prominent American architect Ernest Flagg, Singer Castle is the only remaining castle in the 1000 Islands to have been completed, fully furnished and resided in during the heyday of the great builders and industrials in New York.