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2. The new Waldorf-Astoria If u r wondering why a hotel show ;) …read on, u’ll find out…

3. Some times it pays ..... One stormy night many years ago, an elderly man and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia. Trying to get out of the rain, the couple approached the front desk hoping to get some shelter for the night. "Could you possibly give us a room here?" the husband asked. The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, looked at the couple and explained that there were three conventions in town. "All of our rooms are taken," the clerk said. "But I can't send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o'clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It's not exactly a suite, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night."

4. When the couple declined, the young man pressed on. "Don't worry about me; I'll make out just fine," the clerk told them. So the couple agreed. As he paid his bill the next morning, the elderly man said to the clerk, "You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I'll build one for you." The clerk looked at them and smiled. The three of them had a good laugh. As they drove away, the elderly couple agreed that the helpful clerk was indeed exceptional, as finding people who are both friendly and helpful isn't easy.

5. Two years passed. The clerk had almost forgotten the incident when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled that stormy night and enclosed a round-trip ticket to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit. The old man met him in New York, and led him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. He then pointed to a great new building there, a palace of reddish stone, with turrets and watchtowers thrusting up to the sky. "That," said the older man, "is the hotel I have just built for you to manage.” "You must be joking," the young man said. "I can assure you I am not," said the older man, a sly smile playing around his mouth.

6. The older man's name was William Waldorf Astor, and the magnificent structure was the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The young clerk who became its first manager was George C. Boldt. This young clerk never foresaw the turn of events that would lead him to become the manager of one of the world's most glamorous hotels. Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than the things you acquire...

7. William Waldorf Astor George C. Boldt

8. At the turn-of-the-20th 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 grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise. Beginning in 1900, Boldt's family shared four glorious summers on the island in the Alster Tower.

9. Meanwhile 300 workers - stonemasons, carpenters, and artists - fashioned the six story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, and a dovecote. Not a single detail or expense was spared. In 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegrammed the island and commanded the workers to immediately "stop all construction." 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.

10. For 73 years, the castle and various stone structures were left to the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow and vandals. When the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, it was decided that through the use of all net revenues from the Castle operation it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Since 1977, several million dollars have been applied to rehabilitating, restoring and improving the Heart Island structures.

13. Boldt Castle located on Heart Island in the Thousand Islands of the New York State side of the St. Lawrence River is a very romantic and yet very sad place to visit.

14. This five acre island in the Thousand Islands region was purchased for $1 by George and Louise Boldt.

17. Built by George C. Boldt for his wife Louise in 1900, the castle was built in the name of love. When his wife passed away in 1904, George Boldt ordered the immediate stoppage of all work on the castle as he was overcome with grief. He never returned to the island and for years the castle was left vacant. She never got to see it.The 1000 Island Bridge Authority assumed the island in 1978 and has opened it up as a tourist attraction. Monies raised from entrance fees and donations are used to help in the restoration process.

18. This picture presents only the Power House, which was built between 1894 and 1896.

19. Power House and Clock Tower, designed after the fashion of a Medieval Tower, and located on the eastern end of Heart Island. This facility was intended to house coal fired steam generators to provide electricity to the island. An arched, stone bridge connects the Power House to the island, and the highest tower provided river traffic with illuminated clock faces and the music of chimes.

21. This is the Yacht House for Boldt Castle The Boldt Yacht House, located on nearby Wellesley Island can be seen from Heart Island's north side, was built to house the family's three yachts and houseboat. The yacht house included a shop to build racing launches as well as living quarters for the crew and maintenance staff.

23. The Arch, patterned after the Arch d'Triumph, was intended to provide a formal grand entry for launches that would deliver guests from large yachts anchored in deep water, or from other islands and the mainland. The arch was to be a welcoming point for guests, and symbolized Boldt's triumph over poverty.

31. Alster Tower, the Boldts’ children’splayhouse, was the first structure Boldt erected on Heart Island.

48. The reception & ball rooms

49. Grand staircase

51. …after the TajMahal, this is the 2nd monument built by a man as a symbol of his love for her… Maybe you know of others?...let me know. But I think every home built by a man for his wife is a symbol of his love! ;) Trinity 20.8.09