THE THOUSAND ISLANDS
A TOUR THROUGH THE ISLANDS IN 1888
From"The Phat Boy's" 15 Years on the St. Lawrence" by E. F. Babbage, 1888; very kindly lent to us by Nan Rogers Andrews.
A TOUR OF THE ISLANDS
CAPE VINCENT
is a pleasant little village in Jefferson County, N.Y. at the junction of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. It is also the terminus of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad and connections by Steamer
St. Lawrence are made to Alexandria Bay. Connections are made to Kingston by Steamer
Maud.
Let us here describe the American channel from Cape Vincent.
As we steam out of this port, on the left is Long or Wolf Island 21 miles in length and 7 miles in width. The next on the right is
CARLETON ISLAND
At the upper extremity the land narrows into a rugged promontory, ending in a bluff sixty feet in height. Here, lifting their ruined heads aloft and plainly visible to all passers along the river, stand a number of toppling and
half-ruined chimneys. These may be seen for miles around. So long have these old sentinels watched over scenes around them, that their history is lost in the misty past. Around them are the remaining ruins of an old fort, supposed by many to be the ruins of old Fort Frontenac. Around its old redoubt and parapets linger antiquated historical legends and traditions enough to fill a volume, and forming an interesting study. An ancient well, cut in the solid Trenton Limestone, down to the level of the lake, has been converted by the reckless imaginations of the natives, into a receptacle of the golden doubloons, which the French soldiers, upon evacuating the old fort, are said to have to have thrown there, with the brass guns on top of them. Upon either side, and immediately in front of the bluff, on which the old fort stands, is a quiet, pretty little bay, which may once have supplied a safe and easy anchorage for the vessels which lay under its protecting guns.
The fortress is supposed to have been one of importance as a military post at one time, having been built upon an excellent plan and in the most substantial manner. Numbers of graves occupy the field nearby, remains of the brave soldiers who once occupied the fort. The scene is of deep interest to the student of history.
About six miles this side of Clayton is Lindsay Island, the only one on the right between Cape Vincent and Clayton.
CLAYTON
is in the American Channel. In the distant front, just before landing, we have a distant view of
Prospect Park and hill, a delightful spot for recreation and pleasure. No better view can be had of the islands and surrounding country than from the eminence of this hill. Clayton is our first stopping place. It is a village that derives its importance to tourists as being the terminus of the
R., W. & O. R. R., Utica and Black River Division,and here it is where passengers from the east get their first glimpse of the St. Lawrence. There are three good hotels, the Hubbard, Walton and the West End; kept by as genial landlords as ever lived, and from the village many fishing parties go out daily. The Steamer St. Lawrence runs from this port, in connection with the above named railroads, to Alexandria Bay and other landing places
en route. Opposite
Clayton on the left, as we proceed down the river, is Governor Island, owned by Hon. Thomas G. Alvord, of Syracuse. Next to Gov. Alvord's Isle, on the left, is
Calumet, five acres, owned by Chas. G. Emery, of Old Judge cigarette and tobacco fame, who has lavishly expended a large amount of money for comfort. His villa and apartments are quite striking, having 1,000 feet of dockage and a stone wall all around the island, 4,300 feet--the only island having an elevation of 35 feet and a perfect soil, all productive. He purchased the steam yacht
Calumet, said to be the fasted yacht on the river. The next island on the left, about 200 yards distant, is Powder Horn. The origin of this "euphonious" name has not been handed down by tradition. On the right is Washington Island;, on the left, nearly opposite, is Bluff Island, behind which is Robin's Island. Next, on the right, over two miles from Clayton, is
ROUND ISLAND
and park. This is the property of the Baptist Association, and every year people of this persuasion, in large numbers, gather for religious worship and recreation. There is a temperance hotel, fixed up with the modern appointments, for the accomodation of 300 guests, named the Round Island House. Two docks are in excellent condition, and the fishing boats are favorites. On the left is Little Round Island, and "Hog's Back". We have now several cottages in view; the one painted dark brown is owned by Mr. Harbodle. On the point is Ethelridge cottage, and many others not known to me as they spring up as quickly as mushrooms do in an open field. Leaving Round Island, and looking at the distant front, we have a view of Thousand Island Park. About one mile from Round Island, on the right, is Watch Island or "Indolence," owned by S. T. Skinner. On the left are Bluff, Maple and Hemlock, the three pretty islands fronting the foot of Grindstone Island. On Hemlock is the Clift House, owned by Mr. Garrison, of Syracuse. About five minutes after leaving Round Island, we come on the left in sight of
Hub Island. A large hotel, the Hub House, occupied this site but was burned in March 1884; Grinnell's Island and House; Otsego Camp is also on the left. On the right is Fisher's Landing, Robinson's Island owned by Eugene Robinson, New York, banker and broker. This island was purchased last year by W. C. McCord of New York. Johnson's Light, Washburn Island and Frederick Island. Mr. Johnson, the original lighthouse keeper, and after whom the island is named, was the man who burned the
Robert Peel, the English vessel, in retaliation for sending the
Caroline over Niagara Falls.
Just before landing at Thousand Island Park, upper end of Wells Island, now called Wellesley Island, is Twin Island, owned by J. L. Huntington. On the left, and in connection with the Thousand Island Park, is the bath-house (in a dilapidated condition), where the Methodists can get baptism
`a la Bob Ingersoll, with soap. Said to be good for this world, if not hereafter. We now land at
THOUSAND ISLAND PARK
The boat stops at the western end of Wells Island, at a fine wharf, and close to a large number of handsome cottages. You can tell what the place is the moment you approach it. There is no mistaking a Methodist Summer Camp, find it where you will. It is always neat and clean and orderly. This is the Thousand Island Park, a Methodist resort, opened in 1873. Although the scenery is somewhat marred by the great number of solemn-faced clergymen strolling about the grounds, it is still one of the most beautiful spots to be found among the islands. Camp-meetings are held here, also Sunday school and temperance and educational conventions, and other meetings all through the summer. A large and spacious hotel was opened July 10, 1883. The name was originally Thousand Island Camp Ground but was changed in 1878 to its present name.
Again on our way, the first house on the left is owned by Harlow J. Remington of Ilion, N.Y., whose fame and fortune are in rifles. Next on the left is Wellesley House and beautiful cottage. On the left, handsome villas line the shore of the island. About half a mile from Fine View House is Jolly Oak Point, with its four cottages, two owned by the Norton Brothers, a third by Dr. Ferguson, and the fourth by Hon. W. W. Butterfield, of Redwood. From here to Lookout Point is about half a mile; the next is Rood's place with a fine dock and good accomodations for tourists. About 200 yards below is Peel's dock, where the boat
Robert Peel was burned in 1837. This dock was rebuilt in 1884. Robbin's cottage, one hundred feet to the left, is Island Blanch, owned by E. D. Buckingham; a little below on the right is the farm of Captain Jack; you can see the old saw-mill in a dilapidated condition on the bank. Opposite on the left is the celebrated limburger cheese factory. On the right is Collins' dock; below a few feet is Calumet Island and cottage, owned by Rev. Henry G. Waite of Ilion, N.Y. On the right lies the remains of old Captain Jack's Boat, gone to rest. Brown's Bay on the left and Swan Bay on the right. The next island on the right is owned by Mr. Moffet, of Watertown, N.Y. Passing the bays, we come on the right to Central Park, formerly Grenell's Point and parade ground, purchased by parties and laid out for a park. Several large and beautiful cottages were built last season and many contemplated for this season. On the left opposite on the bluff, is Hill's Crest owned by General Shields, of Philadelphia, Pa. Foot of Central Park is Page Point, a former wood station for the N. T. Co.'s line of steamers. On the right is
POINT VIVIAN.
Point Vivian is situated on the main shore of the St. Lawrence River, about two and one-half miles from Alexandria Bay. It was formerly owned by Captain W. H. Houghton, and was purchased by Messrs. George Ivers, John J. Kinney, Isaac A. Wood, Dr. L. E. Jones, R. Barnes, Rezot Tozer and E. Hungerford, in the fall of 1877 (all of Evans Mills, NY). They had it surveyed into forty building lots, with parks, avenues and streets. A magnificent dock was built, two hundred feet long, and any boat, from a skiff to an ocean steamer, can land here.
Opposite Point Vivian, on the left, is Island Royale, owned by Royal E. Deane, of New York, firm of Bramall, Deane & Co. Mr. Deane is a very enthusiastic lover of the scenery as well as the hunting and fishing in this vicinity, coming to this, his summer home, quite early in the spring and often remaining until winter fairly sets in, for nowhere else can he get such a variety of fish and game and have the surroundings so agreeable. Next on the left is Shady Covert, owned by Editor J. C. Covert, of the
Cleveland Leader.
After leaving Point Vivian, on the right is Curtis Point and cottage, which joins Rose Island by a bridge. Here is where ex-mayor W. G. Rose, of Cleveland, O., enjoys his summers. The next is Allegheny Point, owned by J. S. Laney of Pittsburgh, Pa. The fence was built to keep his children from falling into the river. Opposite on the left is Seven Isles owned by Gen. Bradley Winslow. Next on the right is Keppler Point, Bella Vista Lodge, owned by F. A. Bosworth of Milwaukee, Wis. Centennial, now Nah-Mahbin, meaning Twin Island or Lakes, is owned by Mr. J. H. Oliphant of Brooklyn, NY. Comfort, in close proximity, is owned by A. S. Clark, of the Chicago, Ill., Board of Trade. His is the largest and finest cottage of the group. Next is H. H. Warner's Island, upon which $20,000 has been expended upon the erection of his new cottage. Beyond is Hill's Island, also
Devil's Rock and Oven. This gentleman has expended a large amount of money in building a stone wall around the same, and in many ways beautifying the surroundings. Beyond is Louisiana Point, owned by Judge La Batte, of New Orleans. Next on the left is Crag's Nest, owned by H. A. Laughlin, of Pittsburgh, Pa. On the right is Cuba Isle, owned by W. F. Storey of Buffalo, NY. Next on the right is Chevey Island, the first cottage is owned by Rev. Rockwell. Next is Easton's Villa Stuyvesant. Next Rev. A. B. Pullman, and at the point C. B. Marsh of Chicago, Ill. A little further on is Edgewood Park, owned by a Cleveland stock company who erected an elegant hotel to be opened this year, and contemplate many changes the coming season; also Edgewood Cottage, owned by G. C. Martin of Watertown. Next on the right is Cherry Isle, upon which are erected several cottages; one is owned by by Rev. George Rockwell of Fulton, NY; and J. W. Easton's villa of Brooklyn, NY. Last season Mr. Easton of Brooklyn erected a handsome villa, which he occupied during the season. The two large cottages are owned by A. B. Pullman and G. B. Marsh of Chicago, Ill.--named Ingleside and Melrose Lodge. Here the Hon. John A. Logan and wife were entertained for several days in 1885. Opposite, on the left, are Pullman,
Nobby, Friendly, St. Elmo, Welcome, Florence,
Imperial and Linlith Gow. This group may be seen in the order given; beyond is Westminster Park,
Hart's Island, Fairyland and Dishler. We now shoot into
ALEXANDRIA BAY
which is three or four miles long and one and half miles wide, reaching from the shore on the American side to Well's Island. The chief feature around here is the grand hotels--the largest known as the
Thousand Island House, the finest building on the St. Lawrence River, which for the past five years, under the management of R. H. Southgate, Esq., and his able corps of assistants, Fred W. Lee, Harry Dowd, George Lee, and William T. Price, has been a grand success. The wet goods department is under the charge of Mr. John Brophy. Your slightest wish will be gratified, and you will be better pleased this year than ever before. From the bay fishing parties are constantly going out. The channels about the islands are the Paradise of fishermen. The boats are the most convenient and comfortable in the world, the boatmen the most accomodating, and the pickerel, pike and black and rock bass and muscalonge, in the greatest abundance.
WESTMINSTER PARK
Opposite the Thousand Island House is Westminster Park, on the lower end of Wells Island. This island is eight miles long and from three to four miles wide. On the other side of this island is the Canadian channel of the river, about half a mile wide. The lower end of the island is separated into two parts by one of the prettiest sheets of water that ever rippled against the bows of a canoe. This is called the
"Lake of the Islands," and is connected with the river on both the American and Canadian sides by a narrow channel. The lake is five or six miles long, as smooth as glass, and is altogether too pretty and too romantic to attempt a description.
Westminster Park was bought in 1874 by a Presbyterian stock company, and it now has about 15 miles of drives and some fine buildings. It has two long waterfronts--one on the American side of the river and the other on the Lake of the Island, on the Canadian side. There is a high hill on the island called Mount Beulah, though after climbing it I think the Hill Difficulty would be a more appropriate name. There is a large chapel on the top of the hill, known as Bethune Chapel, with seating accomodations for a thousand people, and a tower 136 feet high, (was blown down in March 1885) affording a beautiful view of the river and the islands. The name of the chapel recalls the fact that the late Rev. Dr. Geo. W. Bethune was a pioneer tourist through this region, and until his death continued to come here summer after summer for recreation.
AMONG THE ISLANDS
It must not be supposed that these hundreds of islands are all occupied and have cottages on them, or laid out with walks and fountains. For every island that has a house on it, there are perhaps twenty that have none. The number of houses are increasing every year, and I think that in time nearly every island will be occupied in the Canadian channel as they are in the American.
[After a trip to Gananoque, in Canada, and down the Canadian channel to Rockport, our tour guide turns back toward Westminster Park.]
Looking backward over the left shoulder, you will have a view of Idlewild and Sport Islands, owned by the Packers of Pennsylvania. A better view of those islands may be obtained after leaving Westminster Park for Alexandria Bay. After passing the point, Hayden's Island, Fairyland, comes into view. The little island, with cottages, is owned by Mr. Hasbrouck, of Ogdensburg, N. Y. called Pike Island. The next on the right is St. John's Island, owned by Judge Donahue of New York. The next on the right is Manhattan group, owned by Judge Spencer and Hasbrouck, of New York. A wooden bridge joins them together. This is the first island inhabited for recreation and was bought by Seth Green, the fish culturist of New York State; on the left is Long Beach, Anthony's Point (The Ledges owned by C. J. Hudson of New York) and
Bonnie Castle; on the right is Dishler and Hart's Island. We next arrive at Alexandria Bay, from which we started most four hours ago.
LEAVING ALEXANDRIA BAY
Immediately opposite is Hart's Island, back of which is Deshler. Next on the left is
MANHATTAN
the first island on which habitation was attempted. It was bought by Mr. Seth Green, the fish culturist, in 1855. He built a cottage upon it and for several years spent his summers here. Mr. J. I. Hasbrouck and Judge J. C. Spencer of New York purchased it from him. They have spent $15,000 on the island. The original cottages built by Seth Green still remain and are used by them as dining room, etc.
Between Deshler and
Manhattan looking backward, is Fairyland, owned by C. H. and W. B. Hayden, of Columbus, Ohio. This is really one of the finest islands in the river. At a vast expense, art has triumphed over nature, transforming a barren into the loveliest of green lawns. Next on the left is
Deer Island; then
SUMMERLAND
Summerland, one of the most beautiful of the "Thousand Islands," is located midway between the north and south channels of the St. Lawrence, about three miles below Alexandria Bay, having an area of fourteen acres, and is the largest of the "Summerland Group" which includes "Idlewild," "Sport," "Ida," [Ina?] and Acadia. The island is covered with dense forest, (furnishing an abundance of shade) and is said to have the finest groves on the river. At the extreme northerly and southerly ends of the island there are extensive sandy beaches, a great rarity in this locality, which are used by the "Summerlanders" for bathing purposes. The island is traversed from end to end by a most delightful natural avenue, densely shaded and lined on either side with a thick undergrowth of wild flowers and ferns. The island is owned by the Summerland Association, a corporation organized under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New York.
Between Deer Island and Summerland is Cedar, back of Cedar is Sport owned by the estate of H. A. Packer, who died in 1884. The island, however, will be occupied this year by H. C. Wilbur, G. B. Linderman, C. B. Newton and other friends. Anthony Point is on the right. Also the Ledges, owned by J. C. Hudson of New York. This place is the resort of E. and T. H. Anthony, the extensive dealers in photographic goods in New York.
Still continuing our course, looking to the right, is the cottage of Mrs. Clarke of Watertown. Next, Goose Bay, is the island owned by Dr. Carleton, near which is the Three Sisters' Island, before the Three Sisters' is Hume's Island. Next on the left is Whiskey Island, and on the right opposite are a number of large and small islands, the names of which we will not weary the tourist's brain with.
Goose Bay is really lovely, if its name is slightly homely. It is studded with islands and fishing abounds. It is here that Mr. Hubert R. Clarke of New York in one day caught 300 pounds of black bass, ranging in weight from one and a half pounds to six and a half pounds.
[Here we leave the Phat Boy to continue his discourse on down to Brockville. We are beyond the bounds of the town of Alexandria, and we want to spare the fragile book so generously lent us to use. We will be adding vintage pictures of the places described as we collect them.]
If you have additional information, pictures, comments, or suggestions, please contact:
Nan Dixon
You are our 2412 visitor since May 15, 2001--
Last Revision :Monday, 07-Mar-2005 08:36:11 MST
Return to Town of Alexandria Index Page
Return to Thousand Islands Index Page
This site is generously
Hosted by RootsWeb
This
nonprofit research site is a USGenNet
CertifiedSafe-Site™ and affiliate of the American
Local History Network, Inc. (ALHN). Web hosting is generously provided by Rootsweb.
This site makes no claim to the copyrights of individual
submitters, and is in full compliance with USGenNet's Conditions of Use.
[Jefferson County ALHN]
[NY ALHN]
© Nan Dixon, 2001