George and Louise Boldt,
purchased “Hart Island” (for $20,000) and changed its
name to “Heart Island”. The Peristyle, or Arch of Honour
was designed as an entrance to an enclosed harbour,
and the original plans (for it) included three harts (deer)
atop the Roman style arch. The peristyle was incomplete
when building of the castle was stopped and the harts (a
symbol of Boldt’s lineage, and part of his family’s coat of
arms) were made of bronze and added during restoration.