Sleepy Hollow and the Haunted Hudson Valley - Part 1

“From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by the name of Sleepy Hollow. . . ”

-Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow



For Halloween 2007, Cemetery Gates had the great pleasure of traveling from California to the little village of Sleepy Hollow, made popular by the immortal tale "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (first published in 1820) written by author Washington Irving (April 3,1783- November 28 1859).

Sleepy Hollow is located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, about 30 miles north of Manhattan, NY. From the end of the American Revolution until its incorporation the area was a hamlet called Beekmantown. The town incorporated in 1874 as "North Tarrytown," and then officially changed its name to "Sleepy Hollow" in March 1997 in honor of the story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

The village is the location of the infamous Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (please see Part 4 of our story in coming days) as well as many other fantastic attractions found throughout the historic Hudson Valley. Please see the list below.

• Philipsburg Manor


• The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow


• Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate


• Van Cortlandt Manor


• Washington Irving's Sunnyside


• The Union Church of Pocantico Hills


• Montgomery Place Historic Estate


• Lyndhurst

Be sure to check back later in the week for Part 2 of our Sleepy Hollow / Hudson Valley review: Sleepy Hollow in October!