Singer Castle on Dark Island

Singer Castle on Dark Island. A Gilded Age Masterpiece. A Hunting Lodge , In 1903, Frederick G. Bourne, Commodore and Singer Sewing Machine Company President, began building Singer Castle for a hunting lodge. American beaux-arts architect Ernest Flagg designed the 28 room granite castle on Sir Walter Scott's descriptions of "The Towers" in his novel Woodstock. The castle, originally called The Towers, and many of the island's other buildings, were completed in 1905., Dark Island , Granite was quarried from Oak Island and transported to the castle over water and ice. Italian and local stonemasons shaped the granite into the ornately detailed main castle, grand boathouses, pergola, ice house, and other island structures., The 7 acre island itself is too small for hunting, it was used as a family summer retreat and as an elaborate base camp for hunting and fishing in the north country., The castle has been continuously occupied since its completion and still contains the original furnishing and decorations., Frederick G. Bourne 1851-1919 , Frederick Bourne was born into a home of modest means, he began working for the Singer Sewing Machine Company as a young man, and worked his way up the corporate ladder to become president of the company. Under his leadership the business prospered and he became one o[f] the wealthiest men in the country., Castle Timeline , 2003 Singer Castle opened for public tours., 2002 Dark Island Tours buys the castle and begins restoration., 1965 Castle purchased by the Harold Martin Evangelical Association. Name changed to Jorstad Castle., 1962 Marjorie dies and leaves the castle to LaSalle Christian Brothers., 1920s Piazza converted to stone walls, divided into two rooms. Apartment added above., 1913 Clock added to tower, breakfast room expanded, bedroom and bath added., 1905 Castle construction completed., 1904 Bourne presents the "hunting lodge" to his family., 1902 Bourne purchases Dark Island., 1889 Bourne becomes Singer Company's 4th president., 1875 Bourne marries Emma Sparks Keeler., 1851 Isaac Singer patents his first sewing machine.,