Discover Boldt Castle, The New York Palace On 'Heart Island'

Built on Heart Island in New York during the early 20th century, Boldt Castle was meant to be the ultimate expression of love. But it all ended in heartbreak.

An aerial view of Boldt Castle on Heart Island.

Heart Island is nestled in the Saint Lawrence River, a short distance from Alexandria Bay, New York.

TheLastMinute/Flickr Since it sits on an island, Boldt Castle is only accessible by boat. Visitors can use private vessels if they wish, but most opt to hire one of the boat tour operators in the region. geewhypics/Flickr American hotelier George Boldt began building the castle for his beloved wife Louise in 1900. By 1904, it would have six stories, underground tunnels for servants, and beautiful sprawling gardens.

But then, tragedy struck when Louise Boldt died unexpectedly at the age of 31. Heartbroken, George Boldt sent a telegram to his workers that read: "Stop all construction." The castle would then be left to rot for decades — until it was taken over by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in 1977.

Allan Watt/Flickr One of the most photographed features of Boldt Castle is the Power House. Although it looks like a small castle itself, this structure was actually meant to serve a practical purpose.

Once, the Power House held generators that provided electricity, a pump that provided water, and a storage room for coal. This was all meant to service the main castle.

Frances Maas RECE/Flickr George Boldt meant to use the Dove-Cote, or Hennery, to house his birds. The 60-foot tower was the first structure built on the island — even before Boldt purchased the land. paakkonenphotos/Flickr Midway between the Alster Tower and the main castle lies the gazebo, a popular spot for visitors who just want to enjoy the beauty of the island. numbersguy/Flickr The Alster Tower is not only beautiful, but it also boasts delightful rooms inside.

The tower, made of red sandstone from the nearby river, features a two-lane bowling alley, a kitchen, a billiard room, a library, and a theater.

paakkonenphotos/Flickr A heart-shaped flower arrangement planted in the gardens. George Boldt meant for Boldt Castle to be the ultimate love letter to his wife.

Little is known about Louise Boldt's death. Her granddaughter, Clover Boldt Baird, says that the family has heard a few theories. One is that Louise overdosed on diet pills. Another suggests she didn't die at all, but ran away with a lover to Europe. "That's just sheer gossip," Baird added.

Frances Maas RECE/Flickr Boldt Castle fell into disrepair after construction stopped. But by 1977, it came under the purview of Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. With the support of local businesses, Thousand Islands Bridge Authority has planted 20,000 individual plants in multiple gardens throughout Heart Island.Patrick Kinney/Flickr When Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took over Boldt Castle, the interior was a sad sight. Years of exposure to the elements — and the occasional vandal — had taken its toll.

Plus, it had never been completed in the first place. The Italian Carrara marble planned for the staircase and floors had never been installed. Everything was covered in dirt.

Patrick Kinney/Flickr When construction began again, the grand glass skylight above the staircase was only an empty steel frame. The castle's current glass dome was installed in 2001 — and it made a huge difference. Patrick Kinney/Flickr The stairway from above. The marble floors and stairs were added nearly 100 years after George Boldt abandoned the project. paakkonenphotos/Flickr The grand staircase was completed in 1991. paakkonenphotos/Flickr Boldt Castle contains several reproduced art pieces, as well as two original watercolor paintings of the island. They were done by Frank Taylor, a writer and illustrator for Harper's Weekly, who may have known George Boldt. Patrick Kinney/Flickr The sitting room, or reception room, would have been used by the Boldts to welcome their guests. It was completed in 1904, but didn't properly welcome anyone until the newly renovated castle opened to the public in 1993. saeba/Flickr The billiard room of Boldt Castle. Incredibly, the original plaster ceiling was partially intact when reconstruction began, which allowed workers to replicate the elegance of the early 1900s. Patrick Kinney/Flickr A luxurious indoor pool would have allowed the Boldt family to enjoy a leisurely swim even during the ice-cold New York winter. paakkonenphotos/Flickr Boldt Castle boasts 120 total rooms, including this charming bedroom. Patrick Kinney/Flickr Another Boldt Castle bedroom. Patrick Kinney/Flickr George Boldt, who arrived in New York at the age of 13 from Prussia, enjoyed reading in his later years. He was known to spend his evenings wrapped up in a book or two.

This library seems to embody his hope of passing on a love of reading to future grandchildren. The mahogany panel that wraps around the bottom of the room features whimsical details like a genie's lamp and pirate ships.

Patrick Kinney/Flickr A seating area nestled inside the castle interior. LibrarianYarns/Flickr The tunnels beneath Boldt Castle were meant for servants, who could move around the grounds unseen and without disturbing the Boldt family. tooiake/Flickr The Boldt Castle may have a tragic story, but it was originally meant to be the ultimate expression of love — which visitors are able to see in the heart imagery that adorns the building. LibrarianYarns/Flickr Across the water from Boldt Castle lies Wellesley Island. This 2,600-acre island is a popular camping site. It also contains the Boldt Castle Yacht House, where visitors can see antique wooden boats. mopar05ram/Flickr Ultimately, Boldt Castle on Heart Island is perhaps best described as a testament to love, loss, and second chances. And it just might be the most beautiful abandoned palace in New York.epapkov/Flickr

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25 Stunning Photos Of Boldt Castle — And The Tragic Story Behind It View Gallery

On a five-acre private island in New York, there lies a stunning abandoned palace known as Boldt Castle. Boasting 120 rooms and a glorious facade, it looks like something straight out of a fairytale. But no one has ever lived in it, even though it's been standing for over a century. And as it turns out, there's a heartbreaking reason for that.

Back in 1900, an American hotelier named George Boldt was determined to build a dreamy castle for his beloved wife Louise. So he ordered the construction to take place on Heart Island in the Saint Lawrence River near Alexandria Bay. George originally planned to give the castle to Louise as the ultimate Valentine's Day present once it was completed.

Throughout their marriage, Louise Boldt was a constant companion to George. She also helped him with his hotel business, adding a feminine touch to rooms, like candles and fresh-cut flowers. Louise was also a doting mother to the couple's children, George Jr. and Clover. She would have likely been over the moon if she saw the castle.

But in 1904, George suddenly ordered his workers to drop their tools — because Louise had unexpectedly died at age 31. Heartbroken, George could not bear to return to Heart Island to complete the palace.

The castle was then left to rot for about seven decades. And while it was eventually renovated for visitors, no one has ever called this place home.

The Origins Of Boldt Castle

Wikimedia CommonsA Prussian immigrant and self-made millionaire, George Boldt was one of the richest Americans of his day.

Born in Prussia in 1851, George Boldt was raised on an island surrounded by castles — which would later inspire him to build one of his own. At the tender age of 13, he immigrated to New York with the hopes of finding success in the New World. And while he started out as a humble dishwasher, he would go on to earn millions in his later years.

Moving up in the ranks of the hospitality industry, he became a prominent businessman on the East Coast. Eventually, he would own and operate some of the most luxurious hotels in the area, such as the Bellevue-Stratford in Philadelphia and the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

With plenty of money saved up, George Boldt would spare no expense when it came to the love of his life, Louise. When he first envisioned her castle, he wanted it to look like the ones he'd seen along the Rhine in Europe.

Boldt Castle would sit on a small island in the Saint Lawrence River near Alexandria Bay in New York. While this isle was initially named Hart Island, Boldt would rename it to Heart Island. And to really emphasize the theme of love, he had the island itself blasted into the shape of a heart.

After a few years of construction, six buildings began to take form on the island. Other than the main Boldt Castle building, there was also the Alster Tower, the Dove-Cote, the Power House, an entry arch, and a gazebo.

Wikimedia CommonsGeorge Boldt wanted his castle to resemble the ones he had seen as a boy growing up in Prussia.

But Louise's unexpected demise put a stop to the construction. (Her cause of death remains a mystery, but one theory is that she may have overdosed on diet pills.) And after she was gone, Boldt Castle was left abandoned.

While the castle was almost complete, it was still exposed to the harsh elements of upstate New York — as well as the occasional vandal. And it didn't take long before the palace fell into disrepair.

In the early 1920s, Edward Noble, the president of the Life Savers candy company, decided to step in. He purchased the castle and opened it for tours. However, Noble apparently allowed it to deteriorate. By the 1970s, the building was in such bad shape that it was nearly condemned.

But in 1977, the palace luckily ended up in the hands of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. The public benefit corporation worked diligently to restore and preserve Boldt Castle. They wanted to ensure that this brilliant work of architecture — and love — would never die.

Going Inside Boldt Castle

Wikimedia CommonsNestled on Heart Island in the Saint Lawrence River, Boldt Castle is an impressive sight.

Perhaps the star of the castle's interior is the grand entrance and staircase. This space features Italian Carrara marble floors, a gorgeous stained-glass skylight, oak millwork, and several pieces of art.

The reception room was meant to be a place for the Boldt family to receive guests and offer them refreshments. Further inside, the ballroom exudes elegance with dramatic ceiling lights circling the curved ceiling, which was specially designed for live music.

While the castle was primarily designed for Louise, George did plan a couple of places for himself in the building — a billiard room and his own suite with simple accommodations. He also made sure to include a library.

The library was likely created with grandchildren in mind, as the Boldts' own children were getting older. The room features carvings of fairytale characters engraved into the woodwork.

As a whole, Boldt Castle was also designed so that any servants would be hidden from view. Service tunnels snaking underneath the main house made travel from one end of the palace to the other quick and quiet.

In the end, the Boldt family never got to use any of these features.

Other Structures On Heart Island

Wikimedia CommonsThe photogenic Power House was meant to serve a practical purpose — providing power to the castle.

Other buildings on the island had their own special purposes.

The Power House was supposed to house two steam engine generators to send power to the castle. Now, it's better known as one of the island's most photographed areas, thanks to its resemblance to a true Medieval tower.

Alster Tower, also called the Playhouse, still lives up to its nickname as it features a private home theater, a bowling alley, and its own kitchen. Outside, the gazebo stands nearby as a place for guests to relax.

As for the Dove-Cote, that was the first structure built on Heart Island — and it was actually constructed prior to George Boldt's purchase of the land. He intended to make use of it as a home for his exotic birds.

Finally, the entry arch was meant to be a place where the family could receive guests as they arrived by boat.

The Legacy Of George Boldt's Love

YouTubeBoldt Castle is a powerful symbol of George Boldt's love for his wife — and the rest of his family.

Thanks to recent renovations at Boldt Castle, the memory of George and Louise's love will endure and continue to make an impact on visitors.

George Boldt, too, left an impression on the people he met during his lifetime. When he died, New York City flew its flags at half-mast.

While Boldt had a fortune, he was determined to share it with those who were less fortunate. He frequently donated to charities at local hospitals and the Red Cross. Boldt also donated to Cornell University and anonymously put 75 youths through college with his wealth.

His descendants remember him fondly. George Boldt's granddaughter, Clover Boldt Baird, once described him as a "tremendous dreamer [and] a great teacher" who loved people and flowers.

George Boldt may have lost the love of his life. But Boldt Castle lives on as a powerful symbol of his big dreams — and his commitment to romance.

After reading about Boldt Castle, go inside Neuschwanstein Castle, another fairytale palace with a secret. Then, read about Florida's fascinating and beautifully mysterious Coral Castle.

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