Boldt Castle

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2013

1000 Islands Campground

Alexandria Bay, NY 

Allow us to take you on a visual tour of an amazing place.

George C. Boldt came to America in 1860 at age 13 from Prussia, the son of poor parents.  A man of tremendous organizational skill, daring and imagination, he became the most successful hotel magnate in America.  Boldt Castle, on Heart Island, was to be the testimony of the unsurpassed love of a man for his wife.  The magnificence of the structure was to be equalled only by George Boldt's adoration of Louise, who was the love of his life and reason for the construction of such an elaborate summer home.  The finest of artists, craftsmen and materials were sought for the work which was well underway when tragedy struck.  He was going to present the castle to Louise on Valentine's day but on Jan. 10, Louise suddenly died.  A telegram arrived on Heart Island ordering all work to stop.  Three hundred workman dropped their tools and left the island, never to return.  The sculptures, Italian mantle pieces, imported tapestries and fine furniture never reached their intended places in this ill-fated, melancholy mansion. 

It is said that George Boldt never came back to Heart Island and the unfinished castle sat from 1904 until 1977 continuing to deteriorate to a state of disrepair, ravaged by the weather and vandals.  The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority assumed ownership in 1977 and immediately began a rehabilitation program.  The Castle and its romantic story typify an era long past; and the Bridge Authority, through the use of all net revenues from this operation, will preserve it and other structures for the enjoyment of future generations. 

The Italian gardens and Castle are being reconstructed from notes and plans left behind.

Front entrance

Front entry

Vestibule with picture of Louise over the fireplace.

The Bridge Authority, using plans and photos is trying to recreate the period with furniture and fabric.

This is the Reception Room of the front entry.  Check out the moldings and ceiling.

Billards Room

Even the floors keep with the heart theme.  Can you see the hearts?

Marble Staircase to 2nd floor.

This is the library. Amazing carved mantle and bookcases.  The great-grandson of George Boldt donated books from George's estate to be displayed in the library.

The ballroom

Organ in the Ballroom

Ballroom opens out onto the front Porch overlooking the grounds.

Hall off the Ballroom.

Butler's pantry off the dining room.

China in Butler's Pantry

Side board in the dining room.  Check out the hand carved wood.

Luck was in our favor as a thunder storm and heavy winds hit just after we entered the Castle from the boat docks.  This is looking out the dining room window into the rainstorm.

Dining room with seating for 18.

 The brass ceiling tiles were amazing.

Marble and granite fireplaces in each room.

Staircase to the second floor

View from the second floor.

Carved English Chairs donated to the Castle by the local firefighters .

George Boldt's bedroom was recreated from plans and notes by designer.

George Boldt's bedroom

Louise Boldt's bed chamber

Mrs. Boldt's bath on the second floor.

This is George and Louise's daughter's room

Complete with window seat

Miss Boldt had her own receiving room with this beautiful fireplace.  There was also 9 guest rooms on the second floor that have not been finished yet.

This is the sky light over the marble staircase.

Notice the moldings look like Louise Boldt..

and the heart theme continues.

This will give you an idea of what the interior looked like before they started the rehabilitation.  Graffiti and vandalism was done to the building from 1904-1977.

The outdoor moldings and slate roof are being cleaned and repaired.

Note the heart in the moldings of the windows.

View from the 4th floor balcony.  The third floor layout was similar to the second floor and was meant for more guest rooms and bathrooms yet to be redone.  The fourth floor was servants quarters, a roof parlor, more guest chambers and reading room.

View of the gardens from the fourth floor window.  George even added to the Island so it would be in the shape of a heart.

This is a picture of George Boldt..

and wife Louise Boldt

This Heart Island-Boldt emblem was used in many places.

The foundation level (that makes 6 floors in the Castle) included a tunnel to grounds and the swimming pool.

The swimming pool was in a beautiful setting.  It was full of coins as donations for the project.

The tunnel also lead to the grounds.

This is the power house which was the first building rehabilitated.

This is a view of the power house from the water side.

Picture of the Gas and Diesel generators used to power the Castle.  Today it gets power via underwater cable from Alexandria Bay, the town across the St. Lawrence River.

A picture of castle being constructed in 1903.

The Boldt family 

The gardens were beautifully cared for.

Complete with fountain.

A very impressive roof line.

Balcony view off the Ballroom and Library.

Gardens to the docks

Magnificent gazebo built for Louise Boldt

Beautiful flowers everywhere

Entry to The Alster Tower.  Unlike the main residence, this whimsical "play house" was completed and occasionally occupied by the Boldt family (parents, son and daughter) during the years when the Castle was being erected.

One can see here the ornate shell room, carved stairs and balcony, as well as the once used two-lane bowling alley in the basement.

Door to the water side porch.

Fun port hole windows looked out to the open water.

Even the doors are designed with fun in mind.

Water side porch.

Crazy design of Alster Tower

Perhaps suggested by some old defense tower on the Alster River, flowing through Hamberg, Germany, this curious mini-castle probably was not pre-designed.  George Boldt himself was probably the real author of this imaginative and eccentric creation.

The water gate entry for guest to arrive at the property.

The Bridge Authority put on the Stags as per originally designed.

Amazing construction

Even heart shaped flower beds.

The Yacht House on Wellesley Island to store George's collection of boats, the three family yachts and a 150 ft. houseboat.  It closed the end of September so we were not able to see the boats stored there.  As you can see by the water, the wind was blowing really hard and they had trouble docking the boats for visitors.  An amazing place!!

We woke to 39 degrees this morning and decided it was time to head south.  We are on the way to Virginia Beach, VA to visit Becky's sister's family.  More pictures and news coming.... 

Lonnie and Becky