"So long have these old sentinels watched over the scenes that their history is lost in the misty past."

A nineteenth century description of Carleton Island from a guide for tourists and travelers.  

The  "PhatBoy's''

18 Years on the St Lawrence.
THE PEOPLE MET AND THINGS SEEN.

 E. F. BABBAGE, Publisher.

ROCHESTER, N. Y.
DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE PRINT, 47 & 49 EAST MAIN STREET. 1891

Page 77 - 79

 CARLTON ISLAND.

At the upper extremity the land narrows into a rugged promontory, ending in a bluff sixty feet in height. Here, lifting their ruined heads aloft, and plainly visible to all passers along the river, stand a number of toppling and half ruined chimneys. These may be seen for miles around. So long have these old sentinels watched over the scenes that their history is lost in the misty past. Around them are the remaining ruins of an old fort, supposed by many to be the ruins of old Fort Frontenac. Its old redoubts and parapets linger antiquated historical legends and traditions enough to fill a volume, which has been lately published by the editor of the St. Lawrence News, of Clayton, N. Y., forming an interesting study. A copy was presented to me by the publisher, but has been mislaid and cannot be found. An ancient well, cut in the solid Trenton limestone down to the level of the lake, has been converted by the reckless imaginations of the natives into a receptacle of the golden doubloons which the French soldiers, upon evacuating the old fort, are said to have thrown there, with the brass guns on top of them. Upon either side and immediately in front of the bluff upon which the old fort stands, is a quiet, pretty little bay, which may once have supplied a safe and easy anchorage for the vessels that lay under its protecting guns. The fortress is supposed to have been one of importance as a military post at some time, having been built upon an excellent plan and in the most substantial manner. Numbers of graves still occupy a field near by, the remains of the brave soldiers who once occupied the fort. The scene is of deep interest to the student of history. This island has been purchased by the Folger Brothers, and laid out in villa lots A grand barbecue and sale was held here in 1889 and many lots 79 were purchased by wealthy parties who intend to build upon the Island the coming season, and I have no doubt this will be one of the most popular resorts of the Thousand Islands. It is also used for picnics and pleasure parties. About six miles this side of Clayton is Lindsay Island, the only one on the right between Cape Vincent and Clayton, except Carlton Island just spoken of.