Castling

Saturday, September 23, 2023

We took a boat ride to Singer Castle – about an hour’s ride from here. We were up on the top deck, listening to our terrific guide tell us all about the 1000 Islands area, and freezing. I was wearing pants, because Keith said it is cold on boats, and I listened. It felt really weird to be out and about on a sunny, warm day wearing pants, but then I was on a freezing boat and I was SO GLAD about the pants.

There are actually about 1800 islands in the area. The definition of an island is that it has to be above water year round, have at least one tree, and at least one square foot of plant growth. I could absolutely not get over the fact that soooo many of these little, tiny islands had houses – nice houses! Soooo many. Some islands are big enough to have a bunch of houses, but some islands are as big as the house. Can you imagine what it costs to build a house on a tiny island? To get electricity, and waste, and water and all the things that let you live there? Boggles me.

This is a really cool place – like “up north” but all together, instead of on a bunch of different lakes. There was discussion about taxes for waterfront (an island is ALL waterfront) property being HIGH. One person said her family has a 5-acre island with NO BUILDING and they pay $10,000/year in taxes. I’m glad I don’t live around here, because I would want an island and I cannot afford an island.

Singer Castle was finished in 1905, built as a summer home by Frederick Bourne, fifth president of the Singer sewing machine company. It was (relatively recently) renamed Singer Castle as it opened for tours 20 years ago. Fred’s daughter inherited it in 1928 and made lots of updates and additions. Why not?! It was a neat place to visit because although there are tons of original furnishings and whatnot, you can just go around the place and see and touch everything like it is a regular home. I thought it seemed like it would be a very nice place to live. Keith kept pointing out it was on an island.

It had secret passageways for the servants to use to appear and disappear without bothering the family. There were peeking spots behind grates, and one picture tipped back so people could peek in. Sneaky.

We boated along the US/Canada border back towards Alexandria Bay to Boldt Castle. George Boldt was a self made man. He started out working at a hotel, working his way up to being the proprietor of the Waldor-Astoria, as well as a bunch of other stuff that made him tons of money. He decided to build a castle for his wife, Louise. He worked with an architect, but most of the ideas were his (I assume he had learned a few things building a bunch of hotels, etc). He didn’t seem concerned with how much it cost and things were going great, until Louise suddenly, mysteriously died at age 42. He no interest in the castle anymore and stopped work on it immediately. The workers just left it (as instructed) and it rotted for 73 years, left to the elements and vandals. It was completely unfinished when they stopped in 1904, but there were loads of millwork stored in upper rooms and pieces of ceramics stored in barrels in the basement.

The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority (who is that? No idea, but they own this house now) acquired Heart Island (where the castle is) and the nearby yacht house in 1977,^[3] for one dollar, under the agreement that all revenues obtained from the castle operation would be applied towards restoration.

I’ve been pretty many places that that tell you once they raise the money, they are going to fix things up. This place has actually been fixing it up and it is beautiful. I thought they just cleaned it up and opened the doors, but NOOOOO. They started from nothing and built beautiful. They found the original blueprints, but had no idea what Louise would have done with the decorating, so they looked at the other homes she owned and at the styles/colors of the times and did their best. They did great, I think.

You think that was a lot of pictures? I took a gazillion; you got away lucky. The first two floors are done, but the third is using cleaned up but unfinished rooms to show before pictures, plans, blueprints, etc. The fourth floor had a walkout terrace.

The basement was fun – a pool and rec room were planned.

The grounds were lovely, including an arch for boats to come through to on their welcome to Boldt castle. There was a wedding going on while we were there. We missed the wedding, but as we came out of the basement onto the lawn they were taking pictures. As we followed the audio guide of the island, we followed the bridal couple as well. Her dress was very sparkly. He scooped up and carried the train as they schlepped around the island.

Alster Tower was built as a playhouse for adults. It actually had been finished and used, but completely deteriorated when it was left open to the elements. There is a bowling alley, and there was a balcony to perform plays on while the audience watched from below. Bedrooms for George and his children, George Jr. and Clover were upstairs. It was AMAZING.

There was a power plant that was it’s own little island. Such a nice building.

And gardens! And lovely views of the house.

Back on the mainland we had a great dinner – turkey poutine to start (we are literally across the river from Canada, so it had to happen) was SO GOOD. Our server, Aidan, invented a new drink with pomegranate juice (pomegranate? no…passion fruit? yes. maybe) and hard lemonade. It had a ice cube made of flowers. Keith HAD ONE! He did not fall down. He did not laugh and laugh. What good is a drink then?