Boldt Castle, Châteauesque residence on Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, New York.
Boldt Castle is a châteauesque residence on Heart Island near Alexandria Bay in New York State. The six-story stone building shows towers, arches, and decorated facades modeled after European castles.
The owner of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel began construction in 1900 as a token of affection for his wife Louise. After her death in 1904 the site was abandoned and only restored decades later with public funds.
The name comes from George Boldt, a hotelier who planned the property as a gift for his wife and had the island reshaped into a heart. Today visitors walk through wood-paneled salons and balconies that show how wealthy families lived at the turn of the 20th century.
Boat services from Alexandria Bay or Clayton bring visitors to the island between May and October, as it can only be reached by water. Guided walks lead through restored rooms in the main house and allow access to the outdoor grounds.
The machine house on the island holds steam engines and generators from around 1900 that once supplied electricity to the entire complex. Visitors can see the technology up close and understand how the property operated independently.
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