“Don’t miss Boldt Castle in the midst of The Thousand Islands!” We’ve been curious about this unfinished monument of a man’s love for his wife for some time now. When we left Oswego, NY and turned up the St. Lawrence River (Seaway), the anticipation became even greater. Supposedly, Louise Boldt”s demise at age 42 caused George such anguish that he he couldn’t bear to be involved with the completion of the project or the property ever again. It wasn’t until we reached Clayton, NY that we heard hints that Louise may have been dead to George, but she had actually escaped the confinements of the island castle and had made herself a life with someone else! We cruised from Clayton up to Alexandria Bay...secured “Summertime” to the village dock for overnight...and took the local ferry out to Heart Island. As we toured the extravagant castle premises, we began to see evidence that maybe that alternate story might not be so far off the mark. George Boldt, driven man that he was, seemed totally devoted to creating buildings... hotels, mostly... that surpassed all expectations. Time to show devotion to his wife seemed to be in short supply. Then the clincher appeared! Even though the elaborate casle featured an expansive ballroom complete with pipe organ, it was well-known that George didn’t dance. Imagine the sophisticated Louise, hostess of fabulous parties for the rich and famous, relegated to the sideline for want of a dance partner. Not for long, I wager. Dancing has long been the place “to see and be seen”. My theory is that she found a man with dancing feet and got a new lease on life. George now has a very good reason not to re-visit this “monument of everlasting love”!!!
Written by
Darcy Campbell
Written by
Darcy Campbell
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| Can you believe this dance floor! |
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