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Beginning in 1900, Boldt's family shared four glorious summers on the island in the Alster Tower while 300 workers, stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a draw bridge, and a dove cote. Not a single detail or expense was spared.
The construction of Boldt Castle was immediately stopped in 1904 after the death of his wife Louise. Today, Boldt Castle is accessible by ferry from Alexandria Bay, Gananoque, Ontario, Rockport, Ontario , and Ivy Lea, Ontario , and most of the grounds and buildings can be explored by the public for a fee. The castle can also be reached by boat from Rockport, Ontario , Gananoque, Ontario, Ivy Lea, Ontario in Canada. The boat-owning public may also dock on Hart Island for free and there is a US Customs office on Hart Island.
It has been owned by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority since 1977.