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to Alexandria Bay, New York, located on the St.
Lawrence River in the "Heart of the Thousand Islands"
in northern Jefferson County. This riverside tourist resort
community enjoys scenic beauty, quiet charm and a position among
the Thousand Islands that are unequaled anywhere and have
captured the hearts and imagination of tourists, historians,
boaters, fishermen and everyday residents. Visitors to this
historic tourist village will find an amazing array of sites to
see, as well as fun and leisure activities. Enjoy a dinner
cruise of the breathtaking and picturesque Thousand Islands; a
tour of the century-old historic Boldt Castle; a picnic or
concert at Scenic View Park; unique regional merchandise at
dockside shops; or a visit to the local aquazoo. |
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At
the "heart" of Alexandria Bay is Heart Island, the
home of the renowned and storied Boldt Castle. The island was so
named because of its shape and a romantic, but heart-breaking,
love story. In the 1890's, millionaire New York City hotel owner
George Boldt and his beloved wife Louise were so enamored by the
region's natural beauty that they frequently brought friends for
relaxation and dinner aboard their yacht while cruising the
Thousand Islands. In 1894, during one of their yachting
adventures, the Boldts' personal chef created an unforgettable
salad dressing which so pleased their guests that it was
introduced at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and the
Bellevue Stratford in Philadelphia. Boldt subsequently named the
salad topping "Thousand Islands Dressing" in honor of
the beautiful region where it was first prepared. |
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the turn of the century, Boldt commissioned the planning
and construction of an impressive and ornately-designed,
six-story stone structure with 120 rooms as a replica of
a Rhineland Castle, along with a drawbridge, powerhouse,
tunnels, a children's playhouse, Italian gardens and a
stone arch resembling Arc de Triumphe in Paris, France
at the shoreline of Heart Island. The impressive summer
home was a gift to his beloved wife. However, when
Louise died unexpectedly in 1904, George ordered all
construction on the island halted. As a result, the
castle which was never completed. In 1977, after years
of decay, weather and vandalism, a multimillion-dollar
effort began, under the auspices and ownership of the
Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, to refurbish and
restore Boldt Castle to the condition when construction
was discontinued... and to open the castle as a tourist
attraction for the appreciation of many generations to
come. |
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The
heritage of Alexandria Bay and the Thousand
Islands includes accounts and legends of pirates
who looted passing ships. Perhaps the most
famous of Alexandria Bay's pirate stories was
the capture of the Sir Robert Peel in May 1838,
during the Patriot War with Canada. A gang of
pirates led by Bill Johnston boarded the ship,
ordered the passengers and crew to shore,
grabbed 20,000 pounds in militia payroll, then
torched and fled the vessel. Within days,
thirteen men were captured and charged for the
assault on the ship, but none of them were ever
convicted. The remnants of the sunken hull still
remain there, and have been a popular underwater
adventure for scuba divers and a curiosity for
tourists and history buffs. In August,
Alexandria Bay comes alive with "Bill
Johnston's Pirate Days" featuring
reenactments of the pirate ship attack on the
village. |
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Whether it's Pirate Days, visiting the local museum or
taking a cruise on the St. Lawrence River, Alexandria
Bay offers plenty to see and lots to do! An ideal and
fun vacation destination, Alexandria
Bay invites you to come visit us soon! For
more information on Alexandria Bay, N.Y., please contact
the Alexandria Bay Chamber of
Commerce at 1-800-541-2110.
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