Do you remember the days before the plethora of vinaigrettes and honey mustards when there were only three or four salad dressings from which to choose? One could order French, Thousand Island, Oil & Vinegar, and possibly Blue Cheese. We never knew where "Thousands Island" salad dressing came from - until today. It originated in Clayton, New York, on the shores of Lake Ontario just across the St. Lawrence River from Canada. The wife of a local fishing guide first served up the dressing as a dip for the fried fish her husband's clients would catch on their fishing trips in the area. Word about the dressing got around to George Boldt, a summer resident in the area who happened to manage the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Boldt put the dressing on the menu at the Waldorf and the rest is history.
Adagio stopped in Clayton at the mouth of the St. Lawrence Seaway where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River. The area is famous for the "thousand islands" (1,864, to be exact) that straddle the middle of the river between New York and Ontario, Canada. The islands range in size from over 40 square miles to smaller islands occupied by a single residence, or uninhabited outcroppings of rocks. To count as one of the Thousand Islands, emergent land within the river channel must have at least one square foot of land above water level year-round, and support at least one living tree. The area contains some of the most beautiful cruising on the Great Loop, and we visited it by tour boat today.
Among the most famous of the Thousand Islands is Heart Island, home of Boldt Castle. George Boldt came to America in 1864 from Prussia, the son of poor parents. He eventually made his fortune in the hotel business and decided to build a fairy-tale castle on Heart Island as a gift for his beloved wife, Louise. Unfortunately, Louise died before the castle was finished and Boldt never returned to the island again. The partially finished remains of Boldt Castle are a favorite tourist spot in the Thousand Islands, and we enjoyed seeing them on our boat tour.
Boldt Castle, St. Lawrence Seaway
Boldt Castle Turret
Boldt Castle Dome
Boldt Castle Yacht House
Gull Island (There used to be a tree on the island)
That’s so interesting- another place to put on our list! Hope to see you soon- Susan & Joe
Keep writing; I love your stories!
Hugs,
A & P
Your information just continues to blow my mind. I am so sorry I couldn’t vis the abandoned castle. Thanks for sharing! Hh
My word…who knew! For a second I thought y’all had dropped into the Magic Kingdom!
Tish
Unbelievable ❣️🤩❣️