Thousand Islands facts for kids

For other uses, see Thousand Islands (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Thousand Islands French: Mille-Îles
Thousand Islands Images top to bottom, left to right: 1898 touring map, Batterman's Point in Thousand Islands National Park, Thousand Islands Bridge, Boldt Castle, Singer Castle, Sunset over one of the smallest of the Thousand Islands
Map of the Thousand Islands region
Thousand Islands Location in North America
Countries	Canada Ontario United States New York
Largest city	Canada Kingston

The Thousand Islands (French: Mille-Îles) are a group of 1,864 islands. They are located in the Saint Lawrence River, which flows out of Lake Ontario. These islands are special because they sit right on the border between Canada and the United States. They stretch for about 50 miles (80 km) downstream from Kingston, Ontario. The Canadian islands are in Ontario, and the U.S. islands are in New York.

The islands come in many different sizes. Some are very large, over 40 square miles (100 km2). Others are tiny, just big enough for one house or even just a few rocks. To be counted as one of the Thousand Islands, a piece of land must be above water all year. It also needs to have at least two living trees growing on it.

Exploring the Thousand Islands Region
History of the Thousand Islands
Fun Things to Do in the Thousand Islands
- Parks and Nature Spots
- Boating, Fishing, and Other Activities
Airports and Air Travel
The Story of Thousand Island Dressing
Gallery
See also

Exploring the Thousand Islands Region

The Thousand Islands are found where Lake Ontario meets the Saint Lawrence River. This area is split by the border between Canada and the United States. It includes parts of Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties in New York. On the Canadian side, it covers parts of United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Frontenac County in Ontario.

How the Islands Were Formed

Most of the islands are part of a very old rock formation. This formation is called the Thousand Islands – Frontenac Arch. It connects the Canadian Shield in Canada with the Adirondacks in the U.S. In 2002, UNESCO recognized this special area as a World Biosphere Reserve. This means it's a place where nature and people live together in a balanced way.

Getting Around the Islands

The Thousand Islands Bridge is a major connection in the region. It links New York State and Ontario. The bridge crosses Wellesley Island and connects to major highways. In New York, you can use Routes 12 and 37 to travel along the waterfront. In Ontario, the Thousand Islands Parkway offers a scenic drive. There's also the Waterfront Trail for cyclists.

Large cargo ships, called lake freighters, often travel through the Saint Lawrence Seaway. These ships use special guides called maritime pilots to help them navigate safely. The river can be tricky. In some spots, the water is over 200 feet (60 meters) deep very close to shore. In other places, there are hidden rocks just below the surface. Because of these many rocks, it can be dangerous to travel outside the marked paths at night.

The water in the Thousand Islands is very clear. This is partly thanks to tiny creatures called zebra mussels. These mussels eat algae, which helps clean the water. You can sometimes see the bottom of the river in 80 feet (24 meters) of water! There are also several old shipwrecks in the area. Some are deep underwater, but others are only about 15 feet (4.6 meters) down. You can even see some of them from the surface.

Main Towns and Communities

The biggest city in the Thousand Islands region is Kingston, Ontario. It has over 170,000 people. Kingston is at the western end of the Canadian side. Brockville, Ontario, is another large town to the east. The American side of the river has fewer people. The largest city there is Watertown, New York, which is a bit inland. Many smaller communities, like Thousand Island Park, become much busier in the summer.

Towns in New York, United States These towns are in Jefferson County:

Towns in Ontario, Canada These towns are in Frontenac and Leeds & Grenville counties:

Brockville
Gananoque
Kingston
Prescott
Thousand Islands Parkway

Famous Islands to Explore

Detailed map of the Thousand Islands

The largest island is Wolfe Island, which is entirely in Ontario. Other big islands include Grindstone Island and Wellesley Island in New York, and Howe Island in Ontario.
Carleton Island is next to Wolfe Island but is part of New York. It has the ruins of Fort Haldimand, built in 1779 during the American Revolutionary War.
Deer Island, near Alexandria Bay, is owned by a secret society called Skull and Bones.
Zavikon Island is a pair of islands. A fun story says one island is in Canada and the other in the U.S., with a tiny bridge connecting them. But actually, both islands are entirely in Canada.
Longue Vue Island is the only island in the region that was made by people.
Ironsides Island is a special place for great blue herons. Over a thousand herons come here every April to lay their eggs. This island is protected and is a National Natural Landmark.
Calumet Island is near Clayton, New York. It used to have a large mansion that looked like a castle.
Just Room Enough Island is known as the smallest inhabited island in the world. It's just big enough for one house and a few trees!

History of the Thousand Islands

Long ago, before Europeans arrived, the Thousand Islands were home to or visited by Native American groups. These included the Iroquois and Ojibwa people. They called the islands Manitouana, meaning the "Garden of the Great Spirit."

The region was also important during the War of 1812 between the British Empire and the United States. You can still find many places from that war, like Fort Wellington in Prescott, Ontario. There are also museums on both sides of the river that tell the story of the war.

Historical postcard views of Alexandria Bay (left) and a steamboat touring Lost Channel, c. 1900

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Thousand Islands became a very popular summer resort. Many wealthy families from big cities like New York City, Chicago, and Cleveland came to vacation here. Fancy hotels offered luxurious stays, and steamboats gave tours around the islands. Rich and middle-class families built beautiful summer homes, and many of these historic houses are still there today.

Some of the most amazing homes built were large "castles." Two famous ones are "The Towers" on Dark Island, now called Singer Castle, and Boldt Castle on Heart Island. George Boldt started building Boldt Castle for his wife, but it was left unfinished for over 75 years after she passed away. It has since been completed to his original plans.

The Thousand Islands have always been a great place for boating. Many large, fancy yachts used to sail here. The area was also known for its fast powerboats. Local yacht clubs even hosted important powerboat races for many years.

Fun Things to Do in the Thousand Islands

Parks and Nature Spots

Many of the islands are public land, meaning anyone can visit them. A group of 21 islands make up the Thousand Islands National Park in Canada. This is Canada's oldest national park east of the Rocky Mountains. The park has campgrounds, walking trails, and family events.

In New York, there are 30 state parks in the Thousand Islands region. Many of these parks are on islands or along the riverbanks. These parks were created a long time ago to protect the land and offer places for people to enjoy nature. Some of the bigger parks include Wellesley Island State Park, which has a large camping area, and Robert Moses State Park.

Boating, Fishing, and Other Activities

Potter's Beach on Grindstone Island is one of the few beaches in the area. It has soft, shallow sand, perfect for swimming or anchoring a boat. You can also hike on trails around Grindstone Island.
The Lake of the Isles is a quiet spot for swimming. It's hidden behind Wellesley Island and Canadian Hill Island. You can reach it through two narrow passages.
Eel Bay is a shallow bay known for great fishing, especially for pike.
The Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) protects over 8,500 acres (34 km2) of land. This includes creeks, nature preserves, and over 30 miles (48 km) of trails. These trails are open to the public all year for free. TILT also offers programs like "TILTreks" and "KidsTreks" to help people explore the area and learn about nature.

Powerhouse, Heart Island (Boldt Castle)

Boldt Castle is a famous landmark on Heart Island. It was built by George Boldt as a gift for his wife. The castle has 120 rooms and can be visited by boat or tour cruise. You can also see the power house, play house, and boat house on the island.
Singer Castle on Dark Island is another beautiful castle. It was built with secret passages and hidden wine cellars! It is privately owned but open for tours.
The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York has a collection of old wooden boats from the region. It also teaches visitors about the area's boating history. You can even see La Duchesse, George Boldt's luxury houseboat.
The Thousand Islands Boat Museum in Gananoque, Ontario, celebrates the history of the St. Lawrence River. It has workshops, events, and a collection of 36 boats.
The Thousand Islands are also a great place for freshwater shipwreck diving. Many old ships rest at the bottom of the river. Some are deep, but others are shallow enough for divers of all skill levels to explore.

Airports and Air Travel

You can fly to the Thousand Islands region from both Canada and the U.S. Watertown International Airport (ART) in New York has daily flights. Norman Rogers Airport (YGK) in Kingston, Ontario, also offers flights. Both airports also serve private planes.

Maxson Airfield (89NY) is a private airport near Alexandria Bay, New York. It used to have commercial flights. The Brockville-Thousand Islands Regional Tackaberry Airport (XBR) is another airport near Brockville, Ontario.

The Story of Thousand Island Dressing

The famous Thousand Island dressing likely got its name from this region. There are a few different stories about how it was created. One popular story says that a fishing guide's wife, Sophia LaLonde, made the dressing for her husband's shore dinner. The actress May Irwin supposedly loved it and asked for the recipe.

Irwin then shared the recipe with George Boldt, who owned the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Boldt then told his head waiter, Oscar Tschirky, to put the dressing on the hotel's menu in 1894. However, there are many different stories about the dressing's origin, and no one knows for sure which one is true!