After more than 70 years of abandonment and several years on the market, Carleton Villa has finally found a new owner. Ronald Clapp, a Florida-based real estate investor, recently purchased the historic estate for $300,000, with ambitious plans to breathe new life into the once-grand mansion. Clapp’s vision for Carleton Villa includes transforming it into a luxurious Bed & Breakfast, bringing a new chapter to the storied history of this architectural gem.
Carleton Villa, located on Carleton Island where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River, was once the crown jewel of the Thousand Islands. Designed by the prominent architect William Miller in 1894, the mansion was commissioned by William O. Wyckoff, a businessman who amassed his fortune by helping Remington Arms Company develop and market the typewriter. The estate was originally conceived as a summer retreat, where Wyckoff could entertain guests on a grand scale while enjoying the natural beauty of the region.
The villa’s grandeur was evident in every detail, from its imposing tower to its intricately designed interiors. The mansion boasted expansive windows, some adorned with stained glass, and luxurious materials like marble and fine wood. However, tragedy struck even before Wyckoff could fully enjoy his new residence. Just a month before he planned to move in, Wyckoff’s wife passed away from a heart attack. On his very first night in the mansion, Wyckoff himself died in his sleep, also from a heart attack. The estate was passed down to his youngest son, Clarence Wyckoff, who maintained the property until the family’s fortunes dwindled during the Great Depression.
The financial hardships of the Great Depression forced the Wyckoff family to sell Carleton Villa. The property was eventually acquired by General Electric (GE), which had plans to demolish the mansion to make way for a new plant and retreat. However, World War II intervened, halting the demolition and leading GE to abandon the property entirely.
During this period, the villa was left vulnerable to the elements and looters. GE offered the materials from the mansion to anyone willing to salvage them, leading to the removal of many of the windows, including the stained glass, as well as significant portions of the interior. The marble cladding from the tower base was also stripped away, leaving the mansion in a state of disrepair. The once-imposing tower, a defining feature of the villa, was eventually pulled down due to safety concerns.
By the time the dust settled, Carleton Villa was a shadow of its former self. The mansion had not been lived in since around 1927, and the elements had taken their toll on the structure. The stone foundation remained solid, but the wood frame upper floors suffered from severe deterioration. The property, which includes 6.9 acres of land and three waterfronts—198 feet in front of the villa, 287 feet on North Bay, and 330 feet on South Bay—was eventually put on the market for $375,000, a far cry from its original value.
Despite its dilapidated state, Carleton Villa has always held a certain allure for history buffs and architectural enthusiasts. The mansion’s rich history and stunning location make it a prime candidate for restoration, and Ronald Clapp is determined to bring the villa back to its former glory. According to reports from NNY360, Clapp envisions turning the villa into a Bed & Breakfast, a move that would not only preserve the historic structure but also provide a unique experience for visitors to the Thousand Islands.
The road to restoration will undoubtedly be a challenging one. The villa currently has no utilities connected, and the extensive damage from decades of neglect will require careful and costly repairs. However, Clapp’s investment and dedication offer a glimmer of hope for Carleton Villa. If successful, the restoration of the mansion could breathe new life into the property, allowing it to once again become a place of grandeur and luxury, just as William O. Wyckoff had intended over a century ago.
As Clapp embarks on this ambitious project, many are eager to see how the restoration unfolds. The transformation of Carleton Villa from an abandoned relic to a thriving Bed & Breakfast could serve as a model for preserving other historic properties in the region. For now, the future of Carleton Villa looks bright, as it prepares to welcome guests and create new memories on the shores of the St. Lawrence River.
