$375,000 | Built 1894 | 15,000 Sq. Ft. | 11 Beds | 6.9 Acres
Carleton Island Lot 1, Cape Vincent, New York, United States, 13618
After being on the market for several years, Carleton Villa is now pending sale with a price drop to $375,000 in June. This historic home was designed by architect William Miller in 1894 for William O. Wyckoff, who earned wealth by assisting the Remington Arms Company in marketing the typewriter. Initially conceived as a summer getaway and a lavish entertaining venue, the magnificent estate is situated on Carleton Island, where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, and was considered the most luxurious estate in the Thousand Islands at its peak. Tragically, Wyckoff’s wife passed away from a heart attack shortly before they were set to move in. On the first night in the mansion, Wyckoff also experienced a heart attack in his sleep and died. His youngest son, Clarence Wyckoff, inherited the Villa after his father’s passing. The family faced financial struggles during the Great Depression, leading to the sale of the home to General Electric, which intended to demolish it to construct a new retreat and manufacturing site. They offered salvaged materials from the villa to the community.
Many windows, including stained glass ones, were taken out, and an entire bedroom floor was removed from the service wing. The marble exterior at the base of the tower was also stripped away. Full demolition was ceased due to World War II, leaving GE to abandon the property in its current state. Eventually, the tower had to be dismantled as it posed a danger. Listing highlights: This Carleton Island Villa sits on 6.9 acres, boasting three water borders—198′ in front of the Villa, 287′ on North Bay, and 330′ on South Bay. The house has remained uninhabited for over 70 years. It features a stone foundation with deteriorated wooden upper floors. While electricity is available on the Island and water is sourced from the River, the villa itself lacks any utilities. The Villa was built around 1895 and saw use until about 1927. During the World War period, contractors were permitted to strip the interior, including doors and windows, leaving the structure exposed to the elements. Currently, Carleton Island is marked for sale at $375,000, handled by Barry Kukowski of Howard Hanna Clayton.
