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The largest American island is Wellesley. Once a
substantial farming island, the few remaining barns are either falling
into disrepair or used for other purposes. Wellesley Island is
crossed by Interstate Route 81 which serves to connect it to Hill Island
in Ontario, Canada. The island is about 8 1/2 miles long and has a
number of year round residents, including this compiler. In the late
1800's the maps and census reports reveal a 500 acre "Wagoner
Farm" on the lower end of the island that is a part of compiler's
ancestry. Up river near present day Fineview were two other farms
with a cheese factory between them, one owned by this compiler's great
great grandparents the Posts, and other other owned great grandmother
Post's brother, Jacob Abeel Wagoner.
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Wellesley Island State Park
Wellesley Island has one of the largest State Parks in the
1000 Islands area. It also has two nicely kept barns that were
formerly part of the Bradley Estate. The first two pictures are of
the front and rear of the cow barn; the third is of the sheep barn.
Both are now used in connection with the New
York State Parks Department.
We thank Mike Quencer of Alexandria Bay who provided the
pictures and information.
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| The Cross Island Road, now leading to the Wellesley
Island State Park, features plenty of open land, one barn in good
condition, and the remnants of two others. |
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The McNally barn is located across from Pt Vivan on
the main shipping channel. The barn is excellently maintained.
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A short distance upstream from the McNally barn, on County Route
100A is the Tarzia barn, also in good shape.
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Probably built around 1900, this small barn is
believed by the owner to have sheltered horses at one time and at other
times been used as an ice house. Its picturesque quality frequently
makes it a subject for photographers.
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THE BOLDT or BACK FARM
Perhaps the premier farm of the area, was that
built by George Boldt on the site of the old Wagoner Farm on Wellesley
Island. It supported his many holdings, including the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel in New York City. The land has mostly been subdivided
into building lots and a golf course. Recently, a controversy raged
over whether part of the original holdings might be used for a gambling
casino and opposition by local citizens convinced the proponents to
abandon the effort. At right is the original farm and two views of the only
remaining barn.
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