I knew nothing about this gorgeous area (Yes, thousand island dressing originated here!). From Wikipedia:
The Thousand Islands is the name of an archipelago of islands that straddle the U.S.-Canada border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. They stretch for about 50 miles downstream from Kingston, Ontario. The islands, which number 1,793 in all [other sources say 1,864], range in size from over 40 square miles to smaller islands occupied by a single residence, to even smaller uninhabited outcroppings of rocks that are home to migratory waterfowl. The number of islands was determined using the criteria that any island must be above water level for 365 days per year, bigger than one square foot and support at least one living tree.
On a glorious Indian summer day, we drove to the picturesque town of Alexandria Bay, had lunch, and then set out on a boat tour of the area. The guide said it was the best visibility of the season. I believe it!
In the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century, this area was a summer destination for enormously rich families, many of whom came by train from New York City. They built mansions and beautiful garages for their yachts.
The homeowners included George Boldt, a hotelier; Frederick Bourne, president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company; Andrew McNally of Rand McNally maps; George Pullman, creator of Pullman railroad cars; William Proctor of Proctor and Gamble; and Nathan and Isidor Straus, owners of Macy’s.
Large hotels and guesthouses also catered to well-off visitors. Promotional literature for one advised, “Just bring your trunks and servants.”
We saw many of these extravagant mansions along the stretch of the river dubbed “Millionaire’s Row.”
Supposedly, Deer Island is owned by the secret society Skull and Bones. Ohhh, I think I remember a movie set on an island owned by a secret society of wealthy political movers and shakers!
A series of bridges links many of the islands, though most are accessible by boat only.
The international boundary runs down the middle of the river, and often the only way to tell if an island house is American or Canadian is to look at the flag flying outside.
Legend has it that this bridge spans the two countries. True or not, it’s really cute.
In modern times, the area has been populated by more modest homes, and some not-so-modest.
I want to spend summers here!
usboattours.com/1000islands
www.thousandislands.com
www.visit1000islands.com/visitorinfo
www.alexbay.org/
travel.nytimes.com/2007/08/24/travel/escapes/24thousand.html
Copyright 2009, Beth Schrader