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Whiskey Island: This Former Smuggler’s Haven Is Now a Private Paradise for .4M

Until the 1920s, Whiskey Island in Clayton, NY, was called Coral Island for the shoals surrounding the 3.1-acre isle. But those shoals and the isle’s strategic location on the U.S.-Canadian border made it the perfect “drop and run” point for smugglers during Prohibition, earning the name change.

Today, Whiskey Island has a better reputation as an idyllic spot to spend a summer weekend. One of New York’s Thousand Islands, it’s located on the Saint Lawrence River and accessible by boat or seaplane, according to listing agent Michael DeRosa.

Featured on HGTV’s “Island Hunters,” Whiskey Island is home to one of the oldest cottages in the archipelago, which is in the northern reaches of the state near Lake Ontario. Built in 1875, the grand lodge has eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, a family room, library, and commercial-grade kitchen.

Wood panels, wood floors, Palladian windows, and multiple fireplaces create cozy spaces to host family gatherings, corporate retreats, artist residencies, or even romantic getaways. With five porches, including a covered and screened rotunda, it’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset while sipping a completely legal cocktail.

A few yards down from the grand lodge is a two-bedroom guest cottage tucked into the trees. A boathouse with attached skiff house can accommodate multiple boats—or a 70-foot yacht, if you’ve got one lying around. A separate swim dock allows for swimming without boat traffic.

With its lush foliage, deep waters, and cheery red and green buildings, this former rum runner’s haven feels like it’s a thousand miles from New York’s speak-easies and gin joints. However, it’s only 350 miles north of Manhattan.

“It’s a fascinating property, truly an experience,” says DeRosa, who’s doing showings by boat and seaplane.

“You can land on the Saint Lawrence River and pull the plane right up to the island,” he explains. At $2.4 million, it’s worth a look!

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