Alster Tower - Not founded upon a rock

Alster Tower (of Boldt Castle, on the edge of Heart Island, Alexandria Bay) has been experiencing roof and wall leaks for almost 100 years due to not having a proper foundation of bedrock.

The Watertown Daily Times on 4/20/09 reported the following:

"The [Thousand Islands] bridge authority spent about $155,000 to hire Robert Silman Associates, New York City, to conduct a comprehensive investigation last year. The study revealed that the tower was not built on an appropriately secure foundation. 'Part of the problem is that the stone structure was built on rubble instead of bedrock,' said Stephen C. Goodrich, Boldt Castle foreman for contracted projects. 'We're not concerned that the tower will fall. However, we would like to have it standing for another hundred, two hundred years.' "

A reconstruction project will begin about mid-May to shore up its foundation. "Shane K. Sanford, Boldt Castle operations manager, said the tower will remain open to visitors while the workers improve its foundation."

Built during the 1890s, Alster Tower (known as the "children's playhouse") is interesting because the Boldts actually occupied it before the main castle was built. The main castle was never occupied, as it was never finished. We are happy this part of history will be preserved with an improved foundation.

Buoys Restaurant

According to abaycircus.blogspot.com Singer Castle (Dark Island) has purchased the former Buoys Restaurant at 34 James Street in Alexandria Bay, NY. The news is that it will be used as a gift shop. A very exciting idea! We can't wait to check out the souvenirs! (Click on the picture to see it enlarged.)

Disclaimer: Never make any decisions without checking first with the primary parties.

Opening Day

Yes! Summer weather is just around the corner! As a harbinger for the wonderful weather that lies ahead (and fun times in the 1000 Islands), a good way to kick-off this blog is to post the opening days for both Singer Castle and Boldt Castle.

Singer Castle's opening day for this season (2009) is Saturday, May 16th.

Boldt Castle's opening day is Saturday, May 9th.

Here are all the details for the entire season:

Singer Castle:
Open Saturday and Sunday starting May 16th.
Open weekdays by appointment through June call for dates and times.
Open 7 days a week Saturday June 20th through Monday September 7th. Saturdays and Sundays September until October 12th. Open Weekdays in September and October by appointment call for dates and times.
Open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Charter groups will be accommodated daily by reservation.

Boldt Castle:

May 9 - June 26
10:00am - 6:30pm
June 27 - Sept 6
10:00am - 7:30pm
Sept 7 - Oct 4
10:00am - 6:30pm
Oct 5 - Oct 12
10:00am - 5:30pm
Oct 17 - Oct 18
11:00am - 5:30pm
Boldt Castle Yacht
House Hours:
May 16 - Sept 27
10:30am - 6:30pm

Disclaimer: Do not make any decisions or plans based solely upon this information. Always verify everything with the primary parties before making any plans.

1000 Islands Castles and other topics.

Theme of this blog:

Singer Castle (formerly known as Jorstadt Castle) on Dark Island, St. Lawrence River, in the Thousand Islands, NY; Boldt Castle on Heart Island in Alexandria Bay, NY; The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton NY, News tidbits of the Thousand Islands region; and occasionally other ruminations.

Blog author: Robert J. Mondore, producer of the popular Singer Castle documentary titled: Dark Island's Castle of Mysteries (copyright © Gold-Mountain). Owner & Producer at Gold-Mountain.com . We (Robert and Patty) also wrote the book on Singer Castle (Arcadia Publishing). [And subsequent to this blog, we have released Singer Castle Revisited which contains all new and different information/photos from the past to the present of Dark Island.]

Your participation is welcome and all submissions concerning the 1000 Islands region will be seriously considered for publication on this blog. Send photos or story to: mailbox [at] gold-mountain [dot] com

Disclaimer: This blog has no affiliation with Singer Castle nor Boldt Castle nor any other sites in the 1000 Islands. This is an independent blog. Please check all things with the primary parties before making any plans, decisions, or actions. RE: HIKING blog entries: Hike at your own risk. All information here is from our own experiences and opinions (and links to outside sites). You must do your own research and safety precautions, we are obviously not responsible for your lack of same nor for anything else. Information here is just to whet your interest in doing more study on your own. Hazards are, of course, getting lost, falling, bug bites, poison ivy and the like, etc. (as in all walks of life).