Boldt Castle, Thousand Islands
| The islands—over 1800 of them--are within a 50 mile area of one of the world’s largest rivers--the St. Lawrence. They are the glacier-flattened tops of a chain of mountains that link Ontario’s Canadian Shield to New York State’s Adirondacks and are divided between Canada and the United States. |
With the Golden Era of steamboats, private rail cars, and grand hotels, tens of thousands of visitors a year were drawn to the natural beauty of this summer resort. Employment opportunities abounded servicing the homes, hotels and tourist activities.
Singer Castle on Dark Island | The area was a playground of the rich and famous—people like the Astors, Helena Rubenstein, Irving Berlin, Mary Pickford, and railroad sleeper car designer George M. Pullman, who entertained U.S. President Grant and General Sherman here. Many of the turn-of-the-century elite bought their own islands and flaunted their social status by building extravagant summer homes along the area now known as Millionaires’ Row. |
| One of the most popular attractions is a Rhine-style castle complex that includes 24 spires and 120 rooms, a yacht house, tunnels, and a drawbridge. It was built by romantic hotel magnate George C. Boldt on an island he reshaped and named Heart for his wife. She died before its completion, and all work was stopped. The Thousand Island Bridge Authority acquired it 73 years later, completing and restoring it for the enjoyment of generations of tourists. |
| Railroads and automobiles eventually replaced overnight cruise ships. In 1981, Bob Clark launched a ship designed to recapture the gracious ambience of steamboating. The family-run St. Lawrence Cruise Line’s Canadian Empress is a composite of 1908 vessel design with modern amenities. It offers a leisurely way to experience the area’s historical and natural attractions. |
A four-day, three-night calm water cruise is available that travels through the world renowned
bays, channels, and passages of the Thousand Islands, roundtrip
from Kingston, Ontario. (Rates from $1183CAD) The
staff is friendly and helpful, the atmosphere is relaxed and informal,
and meals are the kind that Grandma used to make, or that you wish she did.
Don't expect the bells and whistles of a large ocean cruise ship. Rather than a flashy casino, there's a lively trivia competition. A musician or small band provides evening entertainment. Cabins are rustic and the private bathroom facilities are basic. Bring your own toiletry items other than soap. You'll find it a step back to a slower, more relaxful time when people took the time to talk to one another or to simply sit back and enjoy the ride. Thisis a comfortable trip with convenience of unpacking just once while seeing the sights.
| All meals and evening entertainment-- games, music, or dancing to Big Band music---- are enjoyed amidst the warm wood tones, shiny brass railings, and the patterned tin ceiling of the Grand Saloon. |
| The shallow draft of the ship allows it to get close to the points of interest and natural beauty of this archipelago. |
There are shaded outdoor observation decks fore and aft and a sundeck for relaxing, stargazing, kite flying, or a lively game of shuffleboard or checkers.
A Park Warden makes an onboard presentation about St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada and the wildlife that can be sighted.
 | The Heritage Center of the 1000 Islands was built in Gananoque, Gateway to the Thousand Islands, in grand Victorian cottage style. It is a good place to start for an appreciation of how the islands were formed and of life here through the ages. A film of the love story that inspired Boldt Castle is shown. |
 | Fort Wellington, with ramparts of earth to withstand the impact of cannon balls, was originally built during the War of 1812 to defend the St. Lawrence River shipping route between Montreal and Kingston against attack by the United States. It was rebuilt and expanded in the 1830s during border tensions of the Upper Canada Rebellion. |
 | Fulford
Place is an eclectic and opulent 35 room Edwardian mansion with
original furnishings. It was built by Senator George Taylor Fulford,
who made millions promoting patent medicines throughout the British
Empire, most notably Pink Pills for Pale People. Guests included prime
ministers and princes. |
| One of Canada’s oldest Loyalist cities, Brockville is named for the popular Gen. Sir Isaac Brock, killed by an American sharpshooter months after successfully defeating American invaders. With clear water and old shipwrecks, Brockville offers some of the world’s best freshwater diving. The Canadian Empress docks here overnight, in time for a starlit evening stroll along the riverfront walkway. |
| The Thousand Islands Skydeck’s high-speed elevator opens to an unparalleled panoramic view 400’ above the St. Lawrence. |
The Thousand Islands--much more than the birthplace of a salad dressing, eh?
Content and photographs copyright © 2009 by
Linda and Roger Fasteson. All rights reserved.
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