At the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island. The structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise.

In 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the workers to immediately "stop all construction" as his wife Louise had died suddenly. A broken hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.