Since 1900, the Boldt family spent summers in the 1000 Islands Boldt families Wellesley House near Mr. Boldt Wellesley Island Farms, while 300 workers including bricklayers, carpenters and fashion artists the six-story, 120 room castle, complete of tunnels, an electric, central Italian gardens, a drawbridge, Alster tower (children play houses) and a dovecote. Not a single detail or expense was spared.
In January 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the workers to immediately "stop all construction." Louise had died suddenly. A broken heart Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.
For 73 years, the castle and various stone structures were left at the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow and vandali.Quando the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, it was decided that through the use of all the net income from the castle management would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.
Since 1977, several million dollars have been applied to restore, restore and improve the Island of the heart structures.
Today, Boldt Castle is accessible by ferry from Alexandria Bay, Gananoque, Rockport, Ontario, and Ivy Lea, Ontario, and most of the land and buildings can be explored by the public for a fee. The boat-owning public can also dock Heart Island for free. There is a US Customs and Border Protection office on the island Heart and visitors daCanada require identification of the case, such as visiting the island is considered to enter the United States.
Most of the first floor rooms and many of the rooms on the second floor of the Boldt Castle are provided from 2011, but above all with modern pieces. The base is largely unfinished, with a swimming pool, bowling alleys, many compartments, and a long passage to the Power House. Most of the rooms from the second floor to the upper floor were left empty, but there are exhibited in some of these rooms and hallways that show images and artifacts of the Thousand Islands region during the period when the Boldts lived. These rooms can imagine what the castle looked like before modern improvements have also left unfurnished to give the visitor. At the edge of the ‘island, a stone arch triumphal monument, originally designed by George Boldt be the entry way to the boats, it has been completely restored. The bridge connecting the two sides are raised and lowered as required.
Two other buildings on the island are the Power House and Alster Tower, both are open to the public. The Power House was built to house a generator to power the island with power, and is now more than a museum of how electricity was obtained in the early 1900s, as well as some stories to get tools and equipment for Heart Island during the building castle. The Alster Tower was purpose built with sloping and uneven walls, ceilings and roofs.
The enormous George C. Boldt Yacht House on nearby Wellsley island is unique, ensuring a visit by another small fee and a connecting shuttle boat to the Heart Island. It ‘been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
