The Beautiful
St. Lawrence Reservation, New York--Thousand Islands from International
Bridge. -Stereoview
(on
the reverse)
In the early days, the St. Lawrence River was a highway of discovery
for the French pioneers and long before the days of railways it was
a through route of travel to the West. At its upper end, the river
broadens out to the proportions of a lake. This extension is known
as the Lake of the Thousand Islands. It is about forty miles long
and at the west end, fifteen miles wide. The central part is only
about four miles wide. In this "Lake" are the Thousand Islands.
The name does not indicate the number for there are actually 1,700
islands. They vary greatly in size with some several thousand acres
in extent. Surrounded as they are by the clear waters of the beautiful
St. Lawrence, which reflects so perfectly their varied outlines, they
present a most charming picture. With but few exceptions, they are
owned and occupied by prominent citizens of the United States and
Canada who have erected on them beautiful villas. here amidst luxurious
surroundings and with their private yachts, the owners can thoroughly
enjoy the sovereignty of their little realms.
Most
of these islands, even though they are privately owned, are included
in the St. Lawrence Reservation. This is a recreational and conservational
area set aside by the State of New York that includes all of the St.
Lawrence River within the boundary of the State, the large bays at
the lower end of Lake Ontario and certain State-owned portions of
the mainland. The Reservation, together with the adjoining portion
of the St. Lawrence River are in Canada, set aside by the Canadian
authorities, constitutes an International Park that takes in all of
the Thousand Island region.
