Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse reopens after $3.4M makeover during town's 150th anniversary
NEW YORK (PIX11) – The historic and iconic Tarrytown Lighthouse, also known as The Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, has reopened after being closed for almost a year for renovations, the Office of Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced on Thursday.
The lighthouse makeover was completed as the town celebrates the 150th anniversary of Sleepy Hollow.
“The Tarrytown Lighthouse is one of the most well-known landmarks in Westchester County, and it is the only lighthouse in the County,” Latimer said. “This capital project is another example of an existing destination that the County is restoring and refurbishing so that it can be enjoyed again by current and future residents.”
The lighthouse has been watching over Sleepy Hollow since 1883. It is the only lighthouse in the Hudson River with family living quarters. During its opening, it was home to 12 keepers and their families, as reported by The New York Travel Guide.
The $3.4 million restoration of the lighthouse included exterior repairs, repainting, window and door replacement, refurbishing of the interior plaster and paint finishes, a new security gate on the mainland, and new electric exterior lighting.
The Tarrytown Lighthouse was built in response to pleas by local ship companies for assistance in navigating dangerous reefs. The lighthouse was taken out of service in 1961.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.