Boldt Castle

Boldt Castle on Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, Thousands Islands New York

Boldt Castle, located on Heart Island (New York) in the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence River, along the northern border of New York State, is the major landmark and tourist attraction of the region. Boldt Castle is open to the public from the middle of May to the middle of October, and is accessible by private watercraft, tour boats, and water taxis.
Visitors can take scenic boat cruises or take a shuttle boat from Alexandria Bay to get to the castle. For more information about Boldt Castle, visit www.boldtcastle.com


Boldt Castle is a 120 room mansion that was designed by the firm of W. D. Hewitt and G.W. Hewitt, Architects, Philadelphia, Pa., who also designed Druim Moir castle in Philadelphia.

Combining Medieval and Victorian architectural elements, Boldt Castle has six towers and 120 rooms and sits on a dramatic spread of forested land. Best of all is the manse's brooding story, which is even more evocative than the structure itself.



Boldt Castle is located near the 1000 Islands International Bridge,
Maintained by the Bridge Commission it is open to the public during the summer months.

Boldt Castle was built at the turn of the century by multi-millionaire George C. Boldt for his wife, Louise, as a testimony of his love for her. Mr.Boldt invested over $2.5 million to build this replica of a Rhineland castle. He planned on presenting it to his wife on Valentine's Day. Work was underway on the eleven buildings that would comprise the castle complex when in January of 1904 Louise Boldt died, ending the dreams of a lifetime. George Boldt ordered that all work be stopped and for 73 years the Castle and the other structures on the island were left to the forces of nature.

The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977 and decided to preserve it for the enjoyment of future generations. Since then several million dollars have been spent rehabilitating and restoring the castle and surrounding structures.



Main Gate And Child's Tower

Like an ancient landmark of northern Europe, the castle is modeled after buildings of the 16th century, when newly revived classical details were applied to the towered, medieval forms, combining traditional elements with modern features, such as large, plate glass windows and extensive verandas. Rising six stores from the foundation level of the indoor swimming pool to the highest tower room, an elevator served the 120 room mansion. Steel and concrete roofs and floors provided fireproof construction. Massive granite walls were richly ornamented with decorative details of cast terr cotta, and roofs were tiled with the same material.



Powerhouse at Boldt Castle

When people think of castles, they usually think of Europe, and with good reason. The greatest number of castles on earth are in Germany, Great Britain, and France. But there are castles in the U.S., and some of them even look like the real thing, with grand stone walls and tall spires, dramatic parapets, and gothic embellishments.

New York state has a perfectly wonderful citadel, Boldt Castle, the Castle Where Love Died. Each summer some quarter-million people visit Boldt Castle and learn its tragic love story.
Mid-May through mid-October, Boldt Castle can be reached by water taxi, private boat, or tour boat. Onsite visitors can take self-guided tours of Boldt Castle, Power House & Clock Tower, Alster Tower, Hennery, The Arch and Stone Gazebo. There are exhibits inside the structures and a 15-minute video illuminates the lives of George and Louise Boldt. There is a food and beverage concession on the island, and romantics will find scenic vistas galore and benches for picknicking.