Visitor Guide 2011 the of the thousand islands - Alexandria Bay ...

Recommendations

Info

History of Alexandria Bay The history of Alexandria Bay is long and eventful. From the Iroquois Indians to present day, Alexandria Bay and the 1000 Islands region has not let a moment pass it by. Alexandria Bay and its surrounding areas have always been a location noted for its beauty, vast resources, and spiritual being. Long before Europeans settled the area, the Iroquois and Algonquin Indians spent their summer months fishing and hunting here. Lore has it that Manitou said to the Indians: “I will give you paradise, if you stop fighting”. According to legend, the Indians did not stop fighting so Manitou put paradise into a bag and threw it into the horizon. The bag broke apart and a thousand pieces fell down into the St. Lawrence River, creating the Thousand Islands. After the War of 1812, Colonel Elisha Camp, received ownership of the American Islands. In 1845, he in turn sold the islands to Azariah Walton for the sum of $3000. The land purchased extended from the northwest part of Wellesley Island and all the islands from Round Island in Clayton to Morristown 35 miles away. Walton joined Andrew Cornwall and together brought Alexandria Bay to a prominent position in the upcoming decades. The first island to be sold was “Manhattan Island” for the sum of $40. Shortly after the Civil War, the popularity of the Islands increased with the improved transportation system. Wealthy sportsmen and gentlemen from leading US cities inquired into purchasing islands from private use. The social era of Alexandria Bay began when George Pullman invited General Grant (then running for President of the United States) to visit his Island home. The press traveling with General Grant wrote articles in the leading US city papers that sparked an interest that resulted in the explosion of recreation in the Alexandria Bay area. Among the list of wealthy gentlemen who purchased islands are Dr. JG Holland, editor of Scribner’s magazine (also started the first library in Alexandria Bay; now the site of the Chamber of Commerce building); Abraham Abraham & Nathan Straus, head of Macy’s Department store; George Pullman of the Pullman sleeping car fame; Charles Emery, an American tobacco executive; Commodore Frederick Bourne, Singer Sewing Machine Co; and George Boldt, proprietor of the Waldorf Hotel. During the American Revolution, James LeRay, better known as James Donation LeRay du Chaumont, provided goods and services to the American forces. In the early 1800’s, James LeRay, purchased most of what is today Jefferson County. Many of its small towns, rivers, and lakes are named after members of his immediate family. The 18th Amendment to the Constitution (Prohibition) created a lucrative business in the 1000 Islands area. While little information is available, stories have been handed down over the generations regarding local captains who knew the St. Lawrence River and its many inlets, making the trip between the US and Canadian borders to bring back sacks full of alcohol. If the law got to close, the sacks were easy to throw over the side. Divers today who visit the area, can still find bottles at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River. Today, Alexandria Bay and the 1000 Islands Region are an international destination for a wide variety of tourists. Because we are not located on a super highway, Alexandria Bay and the surrounding area have maintained their original quaint characteristics. Whether you are looking for family activities, world class fishing, romantic evenings, top-notch dive sites, or just a little relaxation, Alexandria Bay is the place to be! 4 Alexandria baY VISITOR GUIDE 2011
2011 Ads:Layout 1 16/12/10 3:10 PM Page 2 welcome to boldt castle Boldt Castle and Boldt Yacht House OPEN DAILY 10:00am - 6:30pm May 7 - Oct. 2 ® The grandest of all Gilded d Age Mansions remains a testament to one man’s tragic love story. Open till 7:30pm in July & August Open till 5:30pm Oct. 3-10, 15 & 16 Boldt Castle Wine Festival & Farmers Market Sat., Sept. 17 Boat tours from both the U.S. and Canada stop at Heart Island. Extensive docking is available for private water craft. A shuttle from Heart Island provides access to the Boldt Castle Yacht House. Boldt Castle is owned and operated by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. The Thousand Islands International Bridge is part of the Capital Corridor (www.thecapitalcorridor.com) and is a major link between I-81 in New York State and Highway 401 in Ontario, Canada. GPS Coordinates: N 44°20.680’ x W 075°55.350’ During the Civil War, a poor Immigrant arrived in New York, penniless and unknown. His name was George Boldt. Before he died, he was to gather a huge fortune and leave a gigantic unfinished house of history on one of New York State’s most beautiful islands. George Boldt’s two ambitions in life were to be the head of a large hotel and to someday build a castle like those he had seen in Europe during his boyhood. In the 1890’s, George Boldt and his wife Louise paid a visit to the 1000 Islands Region. He saw an island that he fell in love with at first sight. After a few more visits to this island, his second dream became a reality when he began building a replica of a Rhine Castle. The island’s original name was “Hart Island” after its previous owner Elizur Kirke Hart. After George Boldt acquired the island, he re-designed the shape of the island to resemble the shape of a heart. From that time forward, the island was renamed “Heart Island”. on heart island · alexandria bay, ny 13607 · 1-800-847-5263 · www.boldtcastle.com The Love Story surrounding the castle is a sad one. George Boldt was building the castle as a tribute to his wife Louise. While being built, Louise suddenly died and the craftsmen on the island received a cable to stop all work. The castle was never completed. After years of neglect, vandalism, and the elements, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority purchased the historic castle and has done major renovations to show the grandeur that was to be. Today, Boldt Castle has become the #1 attraction in the 1000 Islands Region and is a must to see! Call 800.541.2110 5 Alexandria baY
Page 1 and 2: Alexandria baY The of the Thousand
Page 3: Call 800.541.2110 3 Alexandria baY
Page 7 and 8: Call 800.541.2110 7 Alexandria baY
Page 9 and 10: history of singer castle Bluff Isla
Page 11 and 12: premier events May Blessing of the
Page 13 and 14: Y = yes D = dock L = launch H = hea
Page 15 and 16: Y = yes D = dock L = launch H = hea
Page 17 and 18: 1000 Islands Wine Trail New York Wi
Page 19 and 20: Restaurants ADMIRALS’ INN • •
Page 21 and 22: The Village of ALEXANDRIA BAY Welco
Page 23 and 24: Downtown Shopping Pharmacy Kinney D
Page 27 and 28: services Custom Screen Printing Arn
Page 29 and 30: Alexandria Bay Bill Johnston’s Pi

Visitor Guide 2011 the of the thousand islands - Alexandria Bay ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?