Dark Island

During our trip to the Thousand Islands, G and I took a river boat tour to Dark Island to visit the castle.

I was told that this castle was more medieval than Boldt Castle and that it had many secret passageways.

The river boat traveled at 6 knots, and it took an hour to go nine miles from Alexandria Bay to Dark Island.

History

In 1902 Frederick Bourne, president of the Singer Manufacturing Company decided to purchase this 7-acre island in the Thousand Island region where he built what he fondly referred to as a hunting lodge.  There years later, his "hunting lodge" modeled after the castle in Sir Walter Scott's historical novel Woodstock was complete.  He named the castle The Towers after the castle in the story.

The Bournes enjoyed the castle for 14 years until Bourne's death in 1919.  Two of his daughters May Strassburger and Marjorie Bourne purchased the castle.  May gave lifetime use of the castle to Marjorie.  Marjorie married Alexander Thayer in 1926, and the couple spent the next 35 summers there.

Marjorie passed away in 1962 and deeded the castle to LaSalle Christian brothers who apparently had no use for it and sold it to the Harold Martin Evangelistic Association in 1965.  Dr. Martin renamed the castle "Jorstadt Castle" after his grandfather, a Norwegian sea captian. 

Opening the castle doors to the public for the first time, the castle was used for spiritual retreats and Sunday chapel services even after Dr. Martin's death in 1999.

In 2002 the castle was purchased by an investment group named Dark Island Tours, Inc. and its name was changed to Singer Castle.

The Garden

View of the Saint Lawrence River from the castle bridle path.

Dark Island is a favorite tourist attraction with many visitors during the open season.  Visitors are divided into small groups and taken on a fast-paced guided tour.

The massive, wooden front doors open into the great hall.

Massive stone arches, infinity mirrors, medieval weaponry, and three medieval suits of armor purchased by Bourne create an atmosphere of stepping back in time.

Off the great hall is Bourne's library.  Note the panel to the left of the fireplace.

The panel opens to reveal a hidden passageway!

The original dining room has a table fitted with hidden buttons that call the servants.  A large mirror on one wall and a grate on the opposite wall are positioned for a strategic purpose. 

A servant could peer through the grate to see the mirror at the other end of the room.  The mirror reflected the dining table and diners back to the servant, and the servant could make sure that diners had all that they required.

The mirror.

The peep grate.  I wonder if guests realized they were being spied upon.

A hidden passageway in dining room for servants to move about the house unseen.  They could just appear and disappear causing little disturbance.

This room was originally furnished as Bourne's living room.

The Pullman seating provided a cozy place for the gentlemen to retreat for brandy and cigars after supper.

Hopefully, the gentlemen didn't indiscretely speak of anything that should not be repeated since the room had another spy hole; a tilting portrait.

Bourne's turret office.

Loggia

The Bourne's Master Suite

Master bath

Female servant's quarters

More secret passageways

This hidden passageway leads into a linen closet.

Hidden passageway into Majorie Bourne Thayer's closet.

One of the newest renovations is the Royal Suite situated in one wing of the castle with two bedrooms and a bath.  It is not part of the standard tour but is reserved exclusively for overnight guests.  As we passed by the closed door of the Royal Suite I notice a sign hanging from the door nob.  In elegant print it said: "Occupied."

Boldt Castle

While in the Thousand Islands on the Saint Lawrence River in New York, I took a side trip to Boldt Castle on Heart Island with my daughter Shanna and grandkids Logan and Haydyn. 

I first saw this castle with my husband over twenty years ago.  An admission was charged and visitors were allowed to roam the island and empty, unfinished castle interior on self-guided tours.  The interior was a disgrace!  Every plastered wall was covered with graffiti.  Signatures of those who had visited before were scrawled everywhere defacing every inch of the interior walls.  The castle was a very melancholy place back then.

 

History

At the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island.  The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise.

During the Gilded Age, many millionaires built enormous "summer homes" on the Saint Lawrence River.  It appears that Boldt set out to build the most magnificent home of all.

Beginning in 1900, the Boldt family spent summers in the Thousand Islands at the Boldt family's Wellesley House near Mr. Boldt’s Wellesley Island Farms while three hundred workers including stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, alster tower (children’s playhouse) and a dove cote. Not a single detail or expense was spared.

In January 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegraphed the island instructing the workers to immediately “stop all construction.” Louise had died suddenly.  Three hundred workmen dropped their tools and left the island, never to return.  The sculptures, Italian mantle pieces, imported tapestries and fine furniture never reached their intended places in this ill-fated, melancholy mansion.  Boldt never returned to the island, leaving the castle unfinished.

For 73 years, the abandoned castle and various stone structures were left to the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow and vandals. When the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, it was decided that through the use of all net revenues from the castle operation it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

Since 1977, several million dollars have been applied to rehabilitating, restoring, refurbishing, and improving the Heart Island structures.

The Dove Cote

Rear View

Arch of Triumph

Alster Tower - The Playhouse

The Boat House

Alster Tower and Arch of Triumph

The Power House

Front View

The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority has been criticized by architects for their many errors in restoring and refurbishing the castle in a way that is not accurate to the Edwardian era.  Though this is apparent to those who have studied that period, (I won't be pointing out the errors) most visitors probably won't mind that the restoration is not completely accurate to the time period of the Gilded Age.  However, I was pleased to see that the graffiti was a thing of the past.  Gone are the defaced walls of room after empty room.  With many of the rooms finished the castle is warm and inviting.

Front Hall

Stained Glass Ceiling Dome

Shanna, Logan and Haydyn in the basement near the swimming pool.

 

I could live here comfortably ~ No problem.