“The Thousand Isles! The Thousand Isles!

Dimpled, the wave around them smiles,
Kissed by a thousand red-lipped flowers,
Gemmed by a thousand emerald bowers;
A Thousand birds their praises wake.
By rocky glade and plumy brake;
A thousand cedars’ fragrant shade
Falls where the Indians’ children played;
And Fancy’s dream my heart beguiles
While singing thee, thou Thousand Isles!”

(pp. 114-117, Child’s Gazetteer, publ. 1890)

The Thousand Islands have been the subject of descriptive writers---poets, novelists, historians, tourists---since they were first visited by white men, all bearing testimony to the wondrous natural beauty and picturesquesness of this incomparable region. Long before the advance of civilization had driven the aborigines hence the Indians had recognized the beauty and tranquil grandeur of the place, and had designated it Manatoana, or Garden of the Great Spirit.

For many years before the locality became famous as a summer resort a few persons, some of them men of note, made this their favorite fishing-ground and summer outing-place. It was not until 1872, however, that the grand rush to the islands commenced. Since that time hundreds of thousands of dollars have been expended in the erection of private homes, hotels, and public parks, and in the improvement of the many beautiful islands, of which there are, in this famous archipelago, as stated officially in the Treaty of Ghent, 1,692.

This charming locality attracts people from all parts of the United States and Canada, and from Europe, who spend a portion of their summers here, hundreds, almost thousands, of whom have built for themselves summer houses, some modest but comfortable, while others are more pretentious, and in many cases grand and palatial. The scene at night during the height of the season is gorgeous indeed. At that time the cottages on the islands are mostly illuminated with colored lanterns, and the steam yachts, with their gay parties, go flitting by, the whole scene, like a kaleidoscope, continually changing, but ever beautiful and full of surprises.

Much of historical interest is associated with this region, which has four times been the boundary line between contending nations. The first great strife was inaugurated before white men were known here, and was carried on between the two great savage nations, the Algonquins and Iroquois, the former dwelling for the most part to the northward and eastward, while the latter had their principal homes along the lakes and rivers of Central and Western New York. Champlain found this feud in existence in 1608, and formed an alliance with the Algonquins against the Iroquois, which made the latter nation the deadly enemy of the French ever after. Following this sanguinary period came one not less bloody---the French and Indian war. The next period of strife was the Revolutionary war, which was followed by the War of 1812, thoroughly establishing the independence of the United States. The hostile events of 1837-40, generally denominated as the “Patriot war,” in which an abortive attempt was made to revolutionize the Canadas, also found in this region the theater of operations.

An extensive sketch of the Thousand Islands should include a particular description of the portion owned by private individuals, with their costly improvements. This we will not attempt here, but will simply give some account of the public parks and hotels, which receive the patronage of thousands of visitors during the summer season.

The Thousand Island Park Association was incorporated as “The Thousand Island Camp-Meeting Association,” in December, 1874, with a capital stock of $15,000, in shares of $10. Its present name was assumed by special act passed January 18, 1879. It was organized as a religious institution, and is under the management of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, although many persons not of this denomination have residences upon the grounds and participate in the proceedings. The park is located upon Wells or Wellesley Island, and occupies the point known upon Capt. Owen’s British chart of 1818 as “Talavera Head.” It was surveyed by Frank A. Hinds, of Watertown, in 1875, and originally embraced a tract of about 983 acres, which has since been curtailed by the sale of about 200 acres. The capital stock was, about 1883-84, increased to $50,000, and large hotel, facing upon a fine lawn and overlooking the river, was erected. The park contains about 400 cottages, and is supplied with a general store, meat market, book store, plumber’s shop, and other trade conveniences. A post-office is located here, and a deputy customs office is stationed here during the season of navigation.

The tabernacle, erected at the head of St. Lawrence avenue, will seat 3,500 people, and for a period of about a month, in July and August, interesting lectures, meetings, concerts, etc., are held almost daily. A system of sewerage has been inaugurated. Water from the river is forced by a steam pump to the reservoir tanks on the mountain, from whence it is very generally distributed to cottages about the park. The present officers are George P. Folts, president; O. P. Hadcock, treasurer; and W. R. Fitch, secretary.

The Westminster Park Association of the Thousand Islands was incorporated in 1875 with a capital stock of $50,000, divided into shares of $100 each. In 1877 the capital stock was reduced to $30,000. The association purchased 500 acres on the northwest point of Wells Island, known on Owen’s chart as Point Victoria, having nearly five miles of water front in the meanders of the shore. In addition, to this purchase there has also been made another, of Isle Mary, or Picnic Point, of 25 acres area, separated from the park by a narrow channel a few feet in width, connected with the park by a bridge. The enterprise, though inaugurated under the auspices of the Presbyterians, is not intended to be strictly denominational. Extensive improvements have been made, a good hotel (H. F. Inglehart, prop.) and numerous fine cottages erected, and withal the park is, with other resorts upon the river, growing in patronage. It is connected by steamer with Alexandria Bay.

Round Island Park was incorporated in 1879 with a capital of $50,000, in shares of $100. The island contains about 175 acres, and has been laid out into 400 lots, besides avenues, ornamental parks, picnic grounds, etc. It is one mile long and from 800 to 1,2000 feet wide, and lies about a quarter of a mile from the mainland, and a mile and a-half from Clayton village. This park was originally under the especial patronage of the Baptists, but its management is now non-sectarian. A dock 260 feet long and 14 feet in depth was built, and in 1880 an hotel 50 by 200 feet, four stories high, was erected. In 1889 the hotel was enlarged and greatly improved, and will now accommodate between 400 and 500 guests.

Central Park is located upon the mainland, about midway between Alexandria Bay and Thousand Island Park. This park was incorporated about 1881, with a capital stock of $25,000. A commodious hotel, now under the management of H. F. Inglehart, and 12 cottages have been erected, with sufficient dockage and other improvements, making about $40,000 invested. The present officers are Byron B. Taggart, president; O. G. Staples, vice-president; Joseph Atwell, Jr., secretary; S. T. Woolworth, treasurer.

Grand View Park was surveyed and laid out as a public park in 1885. It is located on the northwestern point of Wells or Wellesley Island, on what was given the name of “Oporto Head” on Captain Owen’s chart of 1818, and contains about 25 acres. It is the enterprise of Hamilton Child, of Syracuse, who, in 1886, erected a cottage and commenced the extensive improvements which have greatly enhanced the natural beauty of this picturesque spot. Since then the cottage has been enlarged and used as an hotel, and numerous private residences have been erected. For so recent a venture its growth has been phenomenal, owing largely, no doubt, to its central location and contiguity to the best fishing-grounds in the Thousand Island region. This park has 228 building lots. It has almost hourly connection by steamer with Thousand Island Park.

Grennell Island Park is the property of Samuel B. Grennell, who for more than 30 years has resided on a small island near that upon which the park is located, and with which it is connected by a bridge. This park was started about 1882, and is situated upon what is known on the early charts as Stewart or Jeffers Island, which lies south of Wells Island, opposite Thousand Island Park. A new hotel has been erected on the small island, which is owned by J. I. Sayles, of Rome, and will be ready for occupancy during the season of 1890. Several private cottages have been erected on the larger island.

Prospect Park occupies a tract of 50 acres upon Bartlett Point, about a mile above the depot at Clayton. It has been laid out into lots and streets, and a considerable amount of grading and improvement has been done; but it has not, as yet attracted much attention from island visitors. The point commands a fine prospect, and was the scene of an engagement in the War of 1812-15.

Edgewood Park is located upon the mainland, near the village of Alexandria Bay. A fine hotel, or club house, and several cottages have been erected here. It contains about 30 acres, and has been incorporated by the Edgewood Park Association, composed mostly of gentlemen from Cleveland, Ohio.

Murray Hill Park*. -- Hancock or Murray Island will hereafter be known as Murray Hill Park. The island has been purchased of Captain J. A. Taylor, the former owner, by a syndicate of capitalists, who are now (May, 1890) surveying and laying it out in lots and avenues. The island is well located, and no doubt will, in due time, become a very popular place of summer resort.

From the "ERRATA" (p. 341 of Part Two of this Volume, the typist found the following entry:

COUNTY CHAPTER. -- Page 117, first line of the paragraph beginning "Murray Hill Park," read Hemlock or Murray Island instead of "Hancock."