Located on Heart Island off Clayton, New York, the Boldt Castle has many fairy-tale aspects to it. Beginning in 1900, George Boldt, who owned the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, determined that he would build a full-sized Rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay on Heart Island. This was to be a testament to his love for his wife. Sadly, it was not to be.
Here's the view from the south, looking towards the main part of the house. Under the curved semi-circular roof is the castle's swimming pool. Its water is very cold and it's not certain what the original purpose of the pool was since the water seems too cold for swimming.
The ground-breaking for the construction of the castle and its several outbuildings started in 1900. The pool's purpose might have been to help operate the elevator. Or it could have been for water storage as a reserve for domestic use. Or it might have been for emergency purposes such as fighting a fire.
It was certainly never intended to counter the devastating effects from the early death of George Boldt's beloved wife at her still-young age of 42.
The castle was meant as a gift to her from Mr. Boldt. Immediately, upon her death in 1904, he demanded that all construction stop, never to be started again. He never returned to the castle, choosing to live out the time he spent visiting by using the nearby boat house across the river from the Castle.
Note the paneled doors facing the River. The middle doors are made tall to accommodate a sail boat whose masts are still standing and fully rigged.
The entire castle and its outbuildings fell into disrepair. It was bought by an investor who did little if any work to restore the buildings on the island. Then, in 1977, the Thousand Island Bridge Authority bought the island and its buildings for $1. Restoration work began then and continues to today.
Above, you can see a yellow-jacketed worker high up in the scaffolding.
Below is a map of the island with the location of the several buildings shown.
On the western end of the island (to the right on the map), guests would arrive at #2, the Peristyle Archway. A boat up to 50 feet could pass under the arch and dock in the lagoon.
At the east end of the island, at #6, is the Power House with its complex machinery for supplying power to the island.
The small docking area in the foreground of the Power House is meant for deliveries of goods and supplies for the castle and its activities away from the eyes or ears of the guests.
Let's look at what those guests experienced. Here's the formal dining room, set for a castle full of guests.
Pardon the crowds. (I suspect the Boldts would have been shocked!) This is the grand staircase. The formal dining room was to the left. The staff pantry, kitchen and eating areas were back to the right.
Centered above this staircase, four stories up, was a stained glass window.
You can see the intricate plaster casting showcasing the window. The master craftsmen's work throughout the Castle is beautiful. Special artisans from Italy were likely employed to create these touches throughout the buildings.
The restoration work focused on recreating the bedroom suite for the Boldts and their three children. Here, by "popular demand and popular curiosity, is Mrs. Boldt's bathroom.
Back to the first floor, here is the servants' dining room. It resembles a Downton Abbey lifestyle.
A few more exterior pictures:
The path leading to the Italian gardens
A view towards the Castle from where guests would have disembarked and walked up the slope towards the Castle entrance to the left.
The tour boat approached the Castle from the east. Here's that view showing the Power House and the Castle behind it.
There is so much here. With only 90 minutes, much was not captured.
But one comes away with a sense of the fantasy of life of that age. Even wealth brought demands of behavior and performance. But what remains is the sense of loss that Mr. Boldt must have felt and his simply walking away from what was so special when his heart was broken.
Cheers,
Brio
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