One of the great island regions of North America is actually located hundreds of miles from the ocean. Here, private islands are a dime a dozen (just an expression - they actually go for a bit more than that!), and sailboats and motorboats take pride of place over cars as the preferred method of transportation. Million-dollar homes are located within site of humble cabins, and cruise ships ply the waters with nary a calypso band in sight. This is the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River, between Ontario, Canada and New York, U.S.A.

This fascinating region of the river extends from Kingston, Ontario, where the St. Lawrence flows eastward out of Lake Ontario, and extends some 40 miles (62 km) downstream. The river at this point is quite wide, about 4 - 7 miles (6 — 11 km) across, resembling more a lake than that little stream you used to fish in as a boy. Scattered between the opposite banks are the Thousand Islands, 1 700 in total (don’t ask), varying in size between several miles long and “look out for the rock!”. The islands tend to be of pink granite rock, covered in pine, birch and poplar. The international boundary between Canada and the United States cuts through the islands, with the result that the only sure way to know which country you happen to be in is to look carefully at the flags flying outside the island homes and cottages as you pass by.

While some of the islands have been preserved in their natural state as parks (St. Lawrence Islands National Park in Canada encompasses some 24 islands, and overnight camping is permitted), most of the islands are privately owned. Private island prices tend to reflect the popularity of the area as a prime vacation destination, and are significantly higher than for similarly sized islands off Canada’s East Coast. However, when compared to what you can expect to pay for comparable islands in the Caribbean or most parts of the U.S., prices are reasonable.

The Thousands Islands region has a long history of private island ownership. At the beginning of the last century, America’s great industrialists were snapping up island properties with abandon. One such industrialist, Frederick Bourne, the president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, decided to surprise his family with the new hunting lodge he was having built. The result was Jorstadt Castle, on Dark Island - a 28-room stone castle, complete with secret passageways, dungeon, and soaring towers. Another area castle built around the same time is

Boldt Castle, on Heart Island, which was constructed for his wife by George Boldt, the one-time owner of New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel. Sadly, Mrs. Boldt died before the castle could be completed. Construction was halted immediately, and Mr. Boldt never returned to the island. Heart Island and its castle are now owned by the New York Bridge Authority, purchased in 1978 for the colossal sum of one dollar. At the other end of the scale is Just Enough Room Island, whose owners evidently decided that having a limited budget shouldn’t deprive one of the chance to build their island dream home.

There you have it, a brief overview of one of North America’s premier island regions. And not a single mention of the salad dressing.

Filed under: Island Industry, Island-Hopping, Regional