Singer CastleSinger Castle is located on Dark Island in the St. Lawrence River off the coast near Chippewa Bay in the town of Hammond. The Castle was built between 1900 and 1904 as a hunting retreat for the Frederic Bourne family. His contemporary George Boldt was also building his “nearby” castle in Alexandria Bay however, work on that castle was abandoned upon Mr. Boldt’s beloved wife Louise’s death. Frederic Bourne had his Castle, designed by Ernest Flagg, designer of the Sears Tower in new York City, completed in 1904. The family owned the castle until the mid 1960s when it was given to LaSalle Military Academy. Over the years it has also served as a religious retreat. In 2004 it was purchased, renovated back to its original grandeur and opened for public tours. Mr. Bourne was the 5th President of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and wanted a retreat for his family. On neighboring Ingleneuk Island, Frederic Remington had his summer home. He was said to have sent flowers when the Castle was complete. The Castle features a four-story clock tower, one of the first sky lights in a building, a internal island-telephone system and switch board, two-story ice house, indoor squash court, secret passageways throughout and into every room, a dungeon and a turret office. Many of the Bourne Family’s personal items are still on display at the Castle. For information on visiting Singer Castle, click here, or call 1-877-327-5475. The Castle is only accessible by boat. A shuttle operates out of the Schermerhorn Harbor Marina and is only about a 15 minute crossing. Or take a larger tour boat cruise out of Alexandria Bay through Uncle Sam’s Boat Tour for a relaxing and informative 1 ½ hours trip to the Castle. For departure schedule for Uncle Sam’s call 315-482-9229. | ||
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