Longue Vue Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Longue Vue Island
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Postcard of Longue Vue Island taken during the 1970s
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | St. Lawrence River at Alexandria, near Alexandria Bay, New York |
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| Area | 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) |
| Built | 1906 |
| Architect | Barney and Chapman |
| Architectural style | Arts & Crafts |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001176 |
| Added to NRHP | November 04, 1982 |
Longue Vue Island is a special island found in the Thousand Islands area of the Saint Lawrence River. This island is on the American side of the river. It is close to the Saint Lawrence Seaway channel in Northern New York.
Longue Vue Island is part of the Town of Alexandria. This town is in Jefferson County, New York. What makes this island really unique is that it is the only artificial island in the whole Thousand Islands region. This means it was built by people, not formed naturally.
The first owner of the house was Hudson Rose. He was a lumber dealer from New York City. The island was first called Rossette, named after him. Later, in the mid-1920s, Temple Berdan bought the home. The house was empty for several years, from 1932 to 1939.
Lewis Dollinger then bought the house from Berdan's family. The Dollinger Corporation later owned it. After some tax laws changed in the 1970s, Lewis Dollinger's son, F. Leslie Dollinger, owned it for a long time. In 1994, an Arizona businessman named Al Wareing bought the island. He is the current owner.
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How Was Longue Vue Island Built?
The plans for the house on Longue Vue Island were made by architects Barney and Chapman. They were from New York. The plans were approved on April 26, 1905. The first agreement for building materials was signed on July 15, 1905. It was with the Otis Brooks Lumber Company.
The Watertown Daily Times newspaper reported on May 3, 1905, that the Roses would build a home. The house and boathouse on the island were finished in 1906. The island itself was built on four rock shoals. These are shallow spots in the water. Workers built a rock wall around these shoals. They used rocks from a nearby quarry. Then, they filled the area with more rock and soil.
Recent Updates to the Island
In the 1990s, the boathouse needed repairs. It was starting to fall into the river. New rock walls were added to stop it from sinking. The island's ground level was also raised. It was made about one foot (0.30 m) higher. This was done by adding more rock, soil, and grass.
The upstairs part of the boathouse was also changed. It now has a full wet-bar. A deck space was also added onto the roof. No major changes can be made to the outside of the main house. This is because it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This protects its historical look.
What Does Longue Vue Island Look Like?
The island has a large house in the middle. It is about 7,000-square-foot (650 m2). The boathouse is smaller. It has three boat slips. These slips have held up to six boats over the years. The second floor of the boathouse has a game room with a wet bar.
The flagpole is on the western tip of the island. It used to be on top of the house. There is a special plaque next to the flagpole. It notes that Lewis Dollinger, who founded the Dollinger Corporation, passed away on the island. The island also has lots of open lawn space. There is also a swimming area with a dock and a water slide.
Inside the Main House
The main house has three stories. On the first floor, you will find a kitchen and a small breakfast room. There is also a large living room and a dining room. A big porch wraps around two sides of the house.
The second and third floors are mostly bedrooms and bathrooms. There is a main open stairwell that goes up all four sides. There is also a small spiral stairway. It connects the second floor to the kitchen. This stairway is hidden behind a closet door. It was probably meant for servants to use. In the basement of the house, you can still see one of the original rock shoals. It sticks out of the floor and wall.
Flags and Nearby Attractions
Longue Vue Island is a short boat ride from Boldt Castle. This castle was built around 1900. It was left unfinished in 1904.
The island also has a collection of flags. These flags are flown at certain times during the summer. They include flags from many different countries around the world. These flags are displayed around the outside of the island. Besides country flags, there is also a flag for every state. These state flags are shown during the Fourth of July weekend and Labor Day weekend.
Are There Ghost Stories About Longue Vue Island?
The current owners of Longue Vue Island have said they have seen a ghost. They believe it is the ghost of Lewis Dollinger. They say he roams the house at night. Doug Dollinger, the son of former owner Leslie Dollinger, also has a story. He believes he saw a painting of Lewis Dollinger come alive. This happened in the 1970s. The painting used to be in the dining room. Doug said the painting told him to leave the island.
