George Boldt, a German immigrant who worked his way up from dishwasher to proprietor of New York's Waldorf=Astoria hotel, first visited the 1000 Islands with his beloved wife Louise more than a century ago. It was there that he saw and became enchanted with five-acre Heart Island in the St. Lawrence River.
Boldt vowed to return to the lush, heart-shaped isle. After several trips he decided to commission an architectural firm to create a full-size castle as a tribute to their love. He envisioned it a replica of the majestic ones along the Rhine River he had seen as a boy .
Big Plans for Boldt Castle and Beyond
Boldt had engineers reshape the island so that it resembled a heart shape more closely. And the plans grew beyond the castle to an entire colony consisting of eleven additional structures to surround the castle.Soon the finest materials began making their way to this out-of-the-way island: marble from Italy, silks and tapestries from France, rugs from the Orient. Guest rooms in the six-story, 129-room castle featured fireplaces, and massive crystal chandeliers lit the halways and ballroom. Some say the budget ballooned to three million dollars as lavish touches — a tower just children to play in, Italian gardens, a landscaped promenade — were designed.
The Heart-Breaking Tragedy of Boldt Castle
Just as Boldt Castle was nearing completion, on January 12, 1904 its workmen were notified by telegram to "stop all construction" immediately: Louise Boldt had died suddenly. Not another tapestry was hung nor another nail hammered. The heartbroken Boldt never returned. His romantic castle built for love and the surrounding structures were abandoned and subsequently vandalized.In 1977 the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took over responsibility for Boldt Castle and began to fund its restoration.
Visiting Boldt Castle
Although Boldt Castle never achieved its intended glory, the shell and grounds are open to day visitors and available for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Receptions must be held elsewhere, and the Riveredge Resort across the bay is a popular venue.Mid-May through mid-October, Boldt Castle can be reached by water taxi, private boat, or tour boat. Uncle Sam Boat Tours ply the 1000 Islands, make a stop at the Castle, and allow passengers to alight and explore the property. There is an admission charge.
Onsite visitors can take self-guided tours of:
There are exhibits inside the structures and a 15-minute video illuminates the lives of George and Louise Boldt. There is a food and beverage concession on the island, and romantics will find scenic vistas galore and benches for picknicking.
