$495,000 | Built 1894 | 15,000 Sq. Ft. | 11 Beds | 6.9 Acres
Carleton Island Lot 1, Cape Vincent, New York, United States, 13618
Designed by architect William Miller in 1894, Carleton Villa was created for wealthy businessman William O. Wyckoff, known for shaping the market for typewriters with Remington Arms. This magnificent estate originally served as a summer getaway and venue for lavish gatherings. Nestled on Carleton Island, where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, it was once the most opulent estate in the Thousand Islands region. Tragically, Wyckoff’s wife passed away just before their move, and he himself died of a heart attack on his first night in the home. After Wyckoff’s death, his youngest son, Clarence, inherited the Villa, but the family’s wealth diminished during the Great Depression, leading to its sale to General Electric. The corporation intended to demolish the estate to establish a retreat and a new facility, even offering salvaged materials from the property.
Most of the house’s windows, including beautiful stained glass, were taken out, and modifications were made to the service wing. The marble cladding around the base of the tower was removed as well. Construction was halted during World War II when GE abandoned the site. The tower was eventually demolished due to safety concerns. Currently, this Carleton Island Villa, sitting on 6.9 acres, features three waterfronts measuring 198′ in front of the Villa, 287′ along North Bay, and 330′ via South Bay. Abandoned for over 70 years, the home has a stone foundation but shows considerable deterioration in the wooden upper levels. While electricity is available on the island, the Villa itself lacks any utility connections. Built around 1895, the Villa was utilized until around 1927, after which contractors were permitted to strip its interior of doors and windows, leaving the structure increasingly exposed to the elements. Now on the market for $495,000 through Barry Kukowski from Howard Hanna Clayton.
