Gilded Age Hotels of the Thousand Islands

During the Gilded Age, the Thousand Islands transformed from a quiet river frontier into one of North America’s most fashionable summer destinations. Central to this transformation were the grand hotels that lined the St. Lawrence River—monuments to leisure, luxury, and the era’s faith in progress. Among the most celebrated were the Thousand Island House Hotel, the Crossmon House Hotel, and the New Frontenac Hotel on Round Island, each shaping the region’s social and economic life.

The Thousand Island House Hotel, located in Alexandria Bay, was the crown jewel of the region. Opened in 1874, it quickly became one of the largest resort hotels in the world. With sweeping verandas, elegant dining rooms, and manicured grounds, the hotel catered to politicians, industrialists, and international travelers. Steamers arrived daily, unloading guests eager for concerts, formal dinners, and river excursions. The Thousand Island House firmly established Alexandria Bay as the gateway to the islands.

Nearby, the Crossmon House Hotel offered a similarly grand experience with a more intimate atmosphere. Built in the 1870s, Crossmon House was known for refined service, spacious rooms, and commanding river views. Guests enjoyed boating, fishing, and organized social events, reinforcing the hotel’s reputation as a place where relaxation and social display went hand in hand. Like many wooden Gilded Age hotels, it faced the constant threat of fire.

The New Frontenac Hotel on Round Island embodied the romance of island resort life. Accessible only by boat, it offered guests seclusion without sacrificing luxury. Wide porches overlooked the river’s shipping channel, allowing visitors to watch steamers and freighters pass while enjoying cool breezes. The hotel’s island setting made arrival an event in itself, heightening the sense of escape that defined Thousand Islands tourism.

Together, these hotels shaped the social rhythms of the Thousand Islands. Though none survive today, their influence remains, defining the region’s Gilded Age character and proving that leisure could rival industry in grandeur.

ABOUT A SUMMER AT THOUSAND ISLAND HOUSE:

Addison Bell has always had an enduring love for children, so she nannies at the renowned Thousand Island House on Staple’s Island? As Addi thrives in her work, she attracts the attention of the recreation pavilion’s manager, Liam Donovan, as well as the handsome Navy Officer Lt. Worthington, a lighthouse inspector, hotel patron, and single father of mischievous little Jimmy. But when Jimmy goes missing, Addi finds both her job and her reputation in danger. How can she calm the churning waters of Liam, Lt. Worthington, and the President, clear her name, and avoid becoming the scorn of the Thousand Islands community?

ABOUT SUSAN:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has sixteen in her fiction line. Susan is also a published author of two premarital books, stories in a dozen compilations, and hundreds of published articles. Susan lives in Northern Virginia and enjoys traveling the world. Visit www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction for more.