These recent winter photos of Singer Castle on Dark Island were taken by the castle's caretaker,
Scott Garris who has graciously shared them with us. The above is from the lesser seen viewpoint which is from the rear, the side facing Canada. In the foreground is the North Boathouse. The shot below is from the front right side of the castle. Click on the photos to see them larger.
"Caretaker Scott Garris is king of Singer Castle almost every night of the year. He has a suite in the castle and stays throughout the winter, leaving the island only occasionally by airboat to stock up on supplies in Ogdensburg, NY. Garris, the American island's caretaker since its doors opened to tourists five years ago, lives in a wing of the castle by himself even through winter's worst storms. 'It's a piece of heaven,' he said in an interview outside his quarters overlooking the estate's heritage rose gardens. 'It's so quiet and peaceful,' he said, adding with a laugh, 'And I'm not leaving.' An acquaintance suggested him for the position when it first became available and Garris couldn't believe his good fortune when he moved into the palatial digs listed with Sotheby's International Realty for an asking price of nearly US $25 million. 'Who could ask for more? I live in a castle and I get paid to live here.'"
The castle is closed for tours during the winter time. Scott's son who sometimes visits the island during the winter said regarding it: "'Snowstorms are great,' he said. 'I feel like I'm the last person on earth.'"
(
www.thousandislandslife.com)
By way, prizes are still plentiful and available to you for submitting a Thousand Islands photo or story or interesting comment to this blog. Preferably, it will be related to
Singer Castle on Dark Island or
Boldt Castle on Heart Island, but it need not be if it is related to the 1000 Islands. You just might win a 1GB flash drive or a 2-year planner calendar (checkbook style) or another interesting item! The only criterion to win is for me to blog the story, photo, or comment that you send in. See my
previous post for the first announcement of this.
EMail to:
mailbox "at" gold-mountain "dot" com
or send mail to:
Bob Mondore
PO Box 123
Jamesville NY 13078
I have found on eBay an antique French clock for sale that was owned by Commodore Frederick G. Bourne (original owner and builder of Singer Castle on Dark Island). It is being listed for one week, but can sell at any time through the first bid of $2,600 on eBay's Buy-It-Now feature (hey, it's free shipping!). These pictures are from the auction page. Click on photos to see enlarged. (Please note that I do not know anything about the auction seller or the clock, but am posting it for the related topic news and Bourne aficionados). The owners of Singer Castle are not interested in purchasing it as it was not known to be a part of Singer Castle itself. The auction says it is an early 1900s marble and bronze clock that still works and was made for the company Black, Starr & Frost. (2/1/10 Update: The auction has now added a Make-Offer button and the Buy-It-Now price is reduced to $2,300). (2/6/10 Update: The clock did sell yesterday for $1,590).
