Latest news with #TarrytownLighthouse
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Tarrytown Lighthouse vandalism suspects arrested, Westchester County says
Three teenagers are charged with setting fire to the historic Tarrytown Lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow, New York, and causing approximately $100,000 in damage. The suspects, including one under age 18, face felony charges for arson, burglary and criminal mischief, Westchester County announced Friday. Teens charged in Tarrytown Lighthouse vandalism A Westchester County Parks worker discovered the damage to the lighthouse on the Hudson River last weekend. Antiques, furniture and other "items of historical significance" were destroyed, the county said. Significant fire damage was found on the first floor, with multiple broken windows on the first and second floors, officials said. Three arrests were announced Friday, including 19-year-old Richard Barrero, of Harrison, and 18-year-old Elvin Ayavaca, of White Plains. A 17-year-old was charged as a juvenile. One suspect was still being sought, officials said. The county had released surveillance video that led police to believe at least four suspects got inside the lighthouse. The lighthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reopened last year after undergoing a $3 million renovation. Public tours were suspended due to the damage. It's unclear when the lighthouse will reopen.
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Historic New York lighthouse was vandalized and set on fire
A group of four men broke into a historic New York lighthouse along the Hudson River, set a fire and vandalized the interior, destroying valuable antiques, furniture and other items. The Tarrytown Lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow, built in 1883 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, had just undergone a two-year, $3.4 million renovation and reopened to the public last fall, Westchester County officials said. A county parks worker saw smoke coming from the conical, five-story lighthouse on Saturday morning, then discovered the damage, county police said. Police and firefighters responded and put out a small fire with extinguishers. The flooring on the first level was heavily damaged. Antiques, furniture and other historically significant items were destroyed. Thirty-five books dating to the 1800s and early 1900s were strewn on the floor and damaged. Multiple windows were broken. County officials say there is at least $100,000 in damage, and they expect that number to increase when an assessment is complete. 'The Tarrytown Lighthouse is one of our County's most iconic and cherished landmarks,' County Executive Ken Jenkins said in a statement. 'This was a truly despicable act, and we will do everything we can to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.' County police have posted surveillance photos on their Facebook page showing four young men near the lighthouse and are asking for the public's help in identifying them. No arrests have been made. As part of the renovation, interior and exterior sections were restored and repainted. Windows were replaced and the structure stabilized. Repairs were made to the cast iron exterior and masonry. Wood floors were repaired and restored. The fire burned nearly all the way through the wooden first floor, said Peter Tartaglia, first deputy commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. 'It's disturbing what happened,' he said in a phone interview Wednesday. 'But we'll get it fixed. We'll get it back. It was historically reconstructed and it's a wonderful piece of history. It's iconic in Westchester County to see that on the Hudson River.' The 60-foot-tall (18-meter-tall) lighthouse, owned by the county, opened in 1883 to guide ships past dangerous shoals along that stretch of the river, according to the parks department. Its lantern could cast a beam of light visible for 10 miles (16 kilometers), and it had a bell that could warn mariners during foggy conditions, the department said. During its 74 years of operation, 14 lighthouse keepers lived in the structure, some with their families. It was rendered obsolete when the former Tappan Zee Bridge was completed in 1955 and taken out of service in 1961, officials said. It's located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Manhattan in a park in the village of Sleepy Hollow, made famous in Washington Irving's 1820 tale about the Headless Horseman. It's one of seven Hudson River lighthouses that remain. The arson and vandalism comes a little more than a month after a barge pushed by a tugboat struck the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) upriver from Tarrytown. The April 29 crash severely damaged the dock of the 151-year-old lighthouse, which advocates have been trying to save from crumbling into the river. ____ Associated Press writer Michael Hill in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Historic New York lighthouse was vandalized and set on fire
A group of four men broke into a historic New York lighthouse along the Hudson River, set a fire and vandalized the interior, destroying valuable antiques, furniture and other items. The Tarrytown Lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow, built in 1883 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, had just undergone a two-year, $3.4 million renovation and reopened to the public last fall, Westchester County officials said. A county parks worker saw smoke coming from the conical, five-story lighthouse on Saturday morning, then discovered the damage, county police said. Police and firefighters responded and put out a small fire with extinguishers. The flooring on the first level was heavily damaged. Antiques, furniture and other historically significant items were destroyed. Thirty-five books dating to the 1800s and early 1900s were strewn on the floor and damaged. Multiple windows were broken. County officials say there is at least $100,000 in damage, and they expect that number to increase when an assessment is complete. 'The Tarrytown Lighthouse is one of our County's most iconic and cherished landmarks,' County Executive Ken Jenkins said in a statement. 'This was a truly despicable act, and we will do everything we can to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.' County police have posted surveillance photos on their Facebook page showing four young men near the lighthouse and are asking for the public's help in identifying them. No arrests have been made. As part of the renovation, interior and exterior sections were restored and repainted. Windows were replaced and the structure stabilized. Repairs were made to the cast iron exterior and masonry. Wood floors were repaired and restored. The fire burned nearly all the way through the wooden first floor, said Peter Tartaglia, first deputy commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. 'It's disturbing what happened,' he said in a phone interview Wednesday. 'But we'll get it fixed. We'll get it back. It was historically reconstructed and it's a wonderful piece of history. It's iconic in Westchester County to see that on the Hudson River.' The 60-foot-tall (18-meter-tall) lighthouse, owned by the county, opened in 1883 to guide ships past dangerous shoals along that stretch of the river, according to the parks department. Its lantern could cast a beam of light visible for 10 miles (16 kilometers), and it had a bell that could warn mariners during foggy conditions, the department said. During its 74 years of operation, 14 lighthouse keepers lived in the structure, some with their families. It was rendered obsolete when the former Tappan Zee Bridge was completed in 1955 and taken out of service in 1961, officials said. It's located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Manhattan in a park in the village of Sleepy Hollow, made famous in Washington Irving's 1820 tale about the Headless Horseman. It's one of seven Hudson River lighthouses that remain. The arson and vandalism comes a little more than a month after a barge pushed by a tugboat struck the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) upriver from Tarrytown. The April 29 crash severely damaged the dock of the 151-year-old lighthouse, which advocates have been trying to save from crumbling into the river. ____ Associated Press writer Michael Hill in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Tarrytown Lighthouse fire suspects caught on surveillance video, police say
Damage is now expected to top $100,000 after vandals set a fire inside a historic Westchester County lighthouse Friday night into Saturday, authorities said. One year ago, the 1883 Tarrytown Lighthouse had just completed a $3 million renovation as the beloved landmark got extensive repairs, but now the boarded-up windows outside hint at the extensive damage inside. Surveillance video leads police to believe at least four vandals got inside. County police are working aggressively to find them. The fire left heavy soot on a door, and the people pushing it open left handprints. All of that's being analyzed. Surveillance video leads cops to believe at least four vandals got inside the Tarrytown Lighthouse on May 31, 2025, and set it on fire. Westchester County Police "They literally set the main floor on fire" County Executive Ken Jenkins said everything will be repaired, but the focus now is on finding who did this and why. "I'm disappointed, discouraged. Very heartbreaking that this has happened," he said. Westchester Parks Commissioner Kathy O'Connor says facilities see occasional vandalism. "This is a whole different ballgame because they literally set the main floor on fire," she said. Damage is now expected to top $100,000 after vandals set fire inside a historic Westchester County lighthouse on May 31, 2025. CBS News New York The vandalism is now a sad chapter in the long history of the landmark. "I just thought it was so despicable. I can't even tell you how – I was shocked and really angry. It was just awful," Tarrytown resident Cynthia Semsel said. "I just can't believe that someone would have the nerve to damage it in any way because it's so much a part of the history of this region," retired teacher Mara Cohen said. It's not clear when this piece of history on the Hudson will reopen for tours.
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Historic Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. lighthouse damaged in arson and vandalism spree, investigators say
Sleepy Hollow, New York's historic lighthouse suffered "significant" damage from arson and vandalism, Westchester County officials said. The Tarrytown Lighthouse on the Hudson River, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reopened last year after undergoing a $3 million renovation. "The Tarrytown Lighthouse is one of our County's most iconic and cherished landmarks," County Executive Ken Jenkins said. "This was a truly despicable act, and we will do everything we can to identify those responsible and bring them to justice." Sleepy Hollow lighthouse damaged A Westchester County Parks employee discovered the damage to the lighthouse Saturday morning, police said Monday. The worker saw smoke, broken windows and other property damage, according to police. Sleepy Hollow police and firefighters responded and put out a small fire, officials said. There was significant fire damage to the flooring on the first floor, along with multiple broken windows on the first and second floors, they said. Valuable antiques, furniture and other "items of historical significance," were also destroyed, officials said. Around three dozen antique books were also vandalized, police said. Chopper 2 over the historic lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow, New York, after police said it was damaged in an arson and vandalism spree. June 2, 2025. CBS News New York The damage is estimated to total around $100,000. Anyone with information is asked to call the Westchester County Police tip line at 800-898-8477 or send electronic tips to tips@ The department's mobile app can also be used to send tips. Tipsters may remain anonymous, police say.
