Boldt Castle & Boldt Yacht House

Get ready for a fairytale — a real life love story (but with a tragic ending). George C. Boldt migrated to New York City at the age of 13 and began working in hotel kitchens. By his 20’s, he was offered a prestigious job managing The Philadelphia Club, where he met and fell madly in love with his boss’ daughter, Louise. They were married just before her 16^th birthday. Boldt was a hard worker and rose through the ranks. Soon, he was a multimillionaire and was managing the world-famous Waldorf-Astoria. With his fortune, Boldt purchased Heart Island for his beloved Louise. This island, located in the Thousand Islands region of New York, was the perfect location for one of the most magnificent castles in America, which Boldt planned to build as a tribute to his wife (swoon!). He and Louise began planning their dream summer home, imagining a castle with soaring turrets and sweeping balconies — a castle rivaling those found in Europe, and a castle fit for his queen. Construction began in 1900, with 300 workers on the island to build Boldt Castle. But in 1904, just months before the castle was complete, Louise died suddenly. Boldt was heartbroken, and he ordered all construction on the castle to stop immediately, leaving the property unfinished and vacant. After 26 years of marriage, the Boldt was inconsolable and never returned to Heart Island. Boldt Castle stood vacant as an unfinished testament to his love for Louise for over 70 years. In 1977, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took over Heart Island and Boldt Castle and began the restoration process. Today, you can visit Boldt Castle — a six-story castle with 120 rooms. There are also four other structures on the island, including a huge yacht house that houses a collection of antique wooden boats and Alster Tower, built as a playhouse for both children and guests alike. Boldt Castle even boasts its own drawbridge! And inside the house, at the bottom of the grand marble staircase, is a gold-framed wedding portrait of Louise, the queen of one man’s heart.