The Romance of the Castle

Boldt Castle, New York

When you have enough money, build yourself a castle. That is just what the proprietor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City did. With dreams of building a dream house for his wife, George Boldt went all-in as he created a fairytale castle in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. The river is the northern border of New York state and Canada as it flows past the castle between Lake Ontario and Montreal in an area known as the 1000 islands.  

This most unusual home was built at the turn of the century, a period of time when a large percentage of America’s magnificent mansions were being built by the newly wealthy. 

Having a summer home equally as fabulous as your main home was all the rage as families who could afford to escape the summer heat headed north. George Boldt was a Prussian immigrant and a self made millionaire who worked his way up in the hotel business to become one of the most successful hoteliers in America.

The home was built with family in mind, as Mr. Boldt, his wife Louise, and their two children planned on living there. The Bavarian styled, 6-story home included 120 rooms, a drawbridge, a tower straight out of “Rapunzel” which was to be a children’s playhouse, a swimming pool, and a yacht house. The family also owned an extensive property on nearby Wellesley Island which included tennis courts, a golf course, stables, and a polo field. The children were sure to never be bored!  

Plans were laid for the family’s entertainment with the building of a dove cote, creating an Italian garden,  and plans to build an extensive greenhouse for growing flowers near the house. Dove cotes were a status symbol at the time, and could be used to raise birds for their meat as small birds were considered quite a delicacy. 

Building was well underway with over 300 craftsmen working on bringing the house to life.  All work ceased in 1904 when Louise suddenly passed away in Manhattan. A broken hearted George Boldt sent a telegraph from New York canceling the plans to build this magnificent gift that had been intended for his wife.  He remained in New York City and never returned to the building site. He passed away 12 years later at age 65. 

Following his death, the home remained vacant for the next 73 years – visited only by the weather and occasional vandals. In 1977, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property. The decision was made to attempt to rehabilitate and restore the house and its outbuildings, hoping the future income from rentals and ticket sales would offset the cost of renovations. It was a brave choice, considering the state of the home when it was acquired.

The grand staircase and hall floors were meant to have Italian Carrara marble, but had not been completed. The stained glass dome was only an empty steel frame. The subfloor was covered in dirt.The Grand staircase was completed in 1999, followed by the marble floor, oak millwork, and the completion of the stained glass dome in 2001. The dome had to be created in Syracuse and shipped in pieces to be reassembled on site. The restoration work has taken millions of dollars to bring it up to its current glory, although the top floors have been left empty. 120 rooms is a lot to furnish! 

Boldt Castle is now used as a wedding venue, and tours are given where you will learn more about its romantic history and be able to walk the gardens. Even those who are not able to visit will all agree, when on the St. Lawrence River, keep your eyes open for a most breathtaking sight as you sail by. Remember the love of one man for his wife and the gift he almost was able to give her. The romance of a castle, indeed!

See this romantic castle on a St. Lawrence River cruise: