The St. Lawrence River, connecting the sea to the Great Lakes, has provided the Thousand Islands with a long and rich past. Artifacts continue to be uncovered that evidence human life locally as long as nine thousand years ago. Native Americans generally did not remain in settlements here, however. The river was a boundary between different peoples who came seasonally to fish and hunt. Abundance of fish and game, as well as scenic beauty, may have led Native Americans to regard of the Thousand Islands as "Manitouana," the "Garden of the Great Spirit," or paradise--a view we still hold.

Samuel de Champlain came up the St. Lawrence River to the Thousand Islands in 1615, followed by French traders throughout the seventeenth century. In 1673, at the site of Kingston, the Governor of New France met with leaders of the Five Nations of the Iroquois, seeking to trade with them. Count Frontenac granted the Kingston area to La Salle. About decade later an initial wooden fortification was rebuilt of stone, with square bastions and several buildings within the walls. Archeologists have uncovered lower levels of these walls, to be seen today in Kingston.

Courtesy Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation

The British arrived during the eighteenth century. !n 1778 they built Fort Haldimand on Carleton Island, across the river from modern Kingston, near Cape Vincent. During the Revolution, Fort Haldimand was defended by a small British guard with six cannons, but saw no action. During the war of 1812, an old Revolutionary soldier living in Cape Vincent and several of his neighbors crossed over the river in the night and demanded surrender of two women and three invalid men. The invaders took the prisoners to Sackets Harbor and the next day burned the fort.

Ruins of Fort Haldimand in the 1890s.

Locally, feelings did not run strong between residents of both shores during the war of 1812, because trade across the river was important to all, and many families on one side were related to those on the other. Governmental tension between the United States and Canada increased in the 1830s, however, when an expedition from the south actually invaded Canada during the "Patriot War." During this period, Canada built the Rideau Canal, to allow connection between Lower Canada (Quebec) to the Great Lakes without interference from the US shore. Fort Henry and Kingston's Martello Towers date from this period, but never saw any military action.

Fort Henry, courtesy OFF Training & Charter, Kingston

Other websites survey history of the region.

Ina Island, from an early stereographic photograph.

First Rock Island Lighthouse, sketched by Benson J. Lossing in 1858.

1868 engraving courtesy Rock Island Lighthouse Historical and Memorial Association

Sunnyside, residence of Rev. George Rockwell, head of Cherry Island, c. 1880

American Canoe Association encampment, Grinstone Island, 1885, courtesy Corbin's River Heritage

Native American basketmakers' encampment, from a stereographic photograph courtesy Janet Greene, Thousand Island Park.

"Anthony Point" [Pt. Marguerite, now Pine Tree Point]

from a stereographic photograph, probably by E. & H.T. Anthony

Westminster Park Hotel, from a stereographic photograph courtesy Janet Greene, Thousand Island Park.

Thousand Island Park shop, from a stereographic photograph courtesy Janet Greene, Thousand Island Park.

Thousand Islands House, Alexandria Bay,

from a stereographic photograph by James Esson, Preston, Ont.

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Cape Vincent gents. Photograph courtesy of Phyllis Gardner, Occident Island.

Frederick Island, Fishers Landing. Photograph courtesy of Phyllis Gardner, Occident Island.

Judge Spencer's Residence, Manhattan Island, Alexandria Bay. Photograph courtesy Jay Stewart, Manhattan Island.

Hart House, Hart Island, from a stereoscopic view.

This probably is what George and Louise Boldt found when they first visited Hart Island. Like Boldt, the gentlemen seated on the rock has a beard. Boldt never was so stout, however, so this probably is Congressman E. Kirk Hart. The rare photo is of exceptional interest as perhaps the only view of the original house at close range. Hart House was moved to Wellesley Island where it serves as a fine inn. Paul Malo tells the story in his book, Boldt Castle: In Search of the Lost Story.

Calumet Castle under construction, Clayton, 1893. Photograph courtesy of Skip Rawson, Calumet Island.

Yacht Nina passing Jewel Island, from a postcard.

Charles Emery of Calumet Island, acquired Nina (Irene), one of many Herreshoff-built yachts on the river, before 1897. The flamboyant patent medicine manufacturer, Rochester's H.H. Warner, built "Stoney Crest" on Jewel Island near Alexandria Bay in 1888. The landmark was demolished in order to widen the main channel for the St. Lawrence Seaway.

St. Lawrence at Frontenac, c. 1909, from a larger panoramic photograph.

Steamer New Island Wanderer , 1901, postcard, courtesy Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Tennis Loggia and sunken garden, Boldt estate (Thousand Islands Club), c. 1950.

[More to come].

Place: Our Natural Setting , Communities, Parks & Preserves