Historic Lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow Devastated by Arson
A Beloved Landmark Targeted
In a shocking incident early Saturday morning, Sleepy Hollow’s iconic lighthouse—an emblem of the community and a recently restored historic site—was severely damaged in an arson attack carried out by a group of young suspects. The lighthouse, which was renovated at a cost of $3.4 million just a year ago, has now been left charred and gutted, prompting widespread outrage among locals.
Details of the Incident
According to the Westchester County Police, the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. when four teenagers allegedly breached a locked fence surrounding the 142-year-old lighthouse. Surveillance footage has revealed the suspects breaking a window to gain entry into the building, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Once inside, they reportedly ignited flames on the ground floor, which housed various exhibits, resulting in over $100,000 worth of damage, including the destruction of antique furniture and historic books.
“It’s heartbreaking to see this kind of damage that was just completely unnecessary,” expressed Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. Officer Kieran O’Leary lamented the loss, stating, “Setting a fire and trashing a place is bad enough. It’s also one of the county’s more iconic places, and everybody in Westchester is really upset about it.”
Community Response and Investigation
Since the incident, local residents have banded together in shock and anger, flooding police with tips after authorities released images of the suspects. These images show them casually walking over a bridge that leads to the lighthouse, heightening community involvement in the investigation.
Built in 1883, the lighthouse at Kingsland Point Park has a storied history. It once served as a family home before being converted into a museum. More recently, it has become a popular venue for weddings and social media posts—a gathering space that residents hold dear.
As firefighters battled the blaze on Saturday morning, a Westchester County employee first noticed the smoke rising from the landmark. The lighthouse has since been temporarily closed for repairs as the community copes with the loss of this cherished site.
More updates will follow as the investigation unfolds and the authorities pursue leads on the suspects.
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Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.