Read the winning Hall of Fame essays.

General Howard Carroll
By Gabrielle Cellante

“What’s that?” This is probably a question that most people may ask as they are driving on the New York Thruway going toward Tarrytown or crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge. They are admiring “The Castle” that stands elegantly on the highest peak in Tarrytown. For those of us who were born and raised in Tarrytown we take its presence for granted. One can only imagine the views that its original owner had when he looked out from one of its towers. The castle was the first impressive mansion built at the turn of the 20th Century. It was the dream home of General Howard Carroll Jr. and his wife, the daughter of a New York Congressman and the owner of the Star Inn Steam line Co. and Glen Island. It was originally named Carrollcliff.

General Howard Carroll Jr. was born in Albany, New York on September 17, 1854. His father was a Brigadier General who was killed in the battle of Antiethem. He was first educated in Albany and in New York City. Then he studied in Hanover and Gottinger, Germany and Geneva, Switzerland. When he was 19 years old he worked as a newspaper reporter for the New York Times. Later he became a political reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

General Carroll’s interest was not only writing for newspapers. He was also a playwright. He produced a comedy “The American Countess” which ran 200 nights in the “Gas Light Era” in New York City’s Broadway. He also wrote “a Mississippi Incident”, “Twelve Americans” and other stories. In 1883, General Carroll retired from the newspaper business and opened a paving company.
Apparently General Carroll’s talents did not go un-noticed because in 1895, Governor Morton asked him to join his staff as a Brigadier General. When the Spanish- American war broke out, he was given a new job. Governor Black appointed him Inspector General of all New York Troops.

Between 1898 and 1899 General Carroll purchased the Webb family property and a plot of land from Dr. John Barron. His estate was 64 acres. It was part wild with some areas that were very beautifully landscaped. He also had a large outdoor swimming pool and two tennis courts. On his property there was a farm that included a farmhouse, a vegetable garden, a cattle shed, some hen houses and animal shelters.

A famous architect from New York designed the Castle, but General Carroll made many changes. He copied parts of several buildings in the British Isles. The mansion was not made to look like any other existing castle. General Carroll’s house resembled a combination of castle styles that were built along the German Rhine, the Scottish Highlands and the hills of Ireland. It is one of a kind.

The Castle was completed in two phases. The main building was completed in November 1900. Later, in 1910, an addition was added. Much of the stone was quarried on the property and from the Old Sackett quarry in Glenville. The original home had 45 rooms with furniture that was hand made by German woodworkers. They also made the hand carved girders, beams, and the granite and marble fireplaces. The paneling in the family dinning room, “The Oak Room”, came from General Carroll’s family home in St. German, France.

General Carroll was a gourmet cook and a connoisseur of wines. He enjoyed hosting large parties. In 1909, during the Hudson-Fulton Tercentennial celebration, which marked the anniversary of Robert Fulton’s trip up the Hudson River to Albany, General Carroll hosted the admirals of the German, French and English fleets and their officers. Foreign delegates and ambassadors were also invited. They all watched the celebrations on the Hudson River from Carrollcliff’s terrace.

On December 30, 1916, General Carroll died. Before Mrs. Carroll died in 1938, she hosted events for The Robin’s Nest and other charities. The Carroll family lived in Carrollcliff until 1940. Then they rented it to a boy’s school for one year.

Since the Castle was built, over 100 years ago, it has been bought and sold several times. In 1941 it became the headquarters of E.W Axe and Co. About forty years later 54 acres were sold and the Carrollwood condominiums were built. In 1981 the Castle was declared a historic landmark and its outside structure can never be changed. In 1994 the Castle was purchased and it is presently a luxury inn called The Castle in Tarrytown. Now it can be anyone’s dream home for a night.
Resources

Tarrytown Centennial Album 1870-1880
Personal Reference Book

Variety of sources in the files of the Historical Society of the Tarrytowns, Inc.,
One Grove Street, Tarrytown, New York.

History of the Tarrytowns by Jeff Cannin and Wally Buxton. 1975
Warner Library Resource, Broadway , Tarrytown New York.

The Daily News, Aug. 7, 1952
Newspaper Article: “Know Your Westchester”

The Daily News, Dec. 31, 1958
Newspaper Article: E.W Axe Company Prospers in Tarrytown Home

The Chronicle of the Historical Society of the Tarrytowns, Inc. No.4 Sept. 1959

Gannett Westchester Newspaper, Feb. 1, 1981
Newspaper Article: Axe Castle’s grandeur enhances

The Tarrytowner, Spring 1990
“Tarrytown Castle” by Susanna L. Miller

William Wallace

William Lawrence Wallace was born in Virginia on February 22, 1824 and died in 1891. He is remembered for his philanthropic work, which includes the building of the Music Hall and the St. Mark's Church. He was also a well known businessman in the field of chocolate.

By Olesya Bylim

It was because of the Tarrytown Music Hall that I decided to do my research on William Wallace. From an early age, the Music Hall has been a part of my life. It is located in the heart of my town, and warms the soul of every resident here. Had it not been for Mr. Wallace’s generosity and kindness, this place of joy would not exist. It was built in 1885, and cost Mr. Wallace $60,000. Through my research, I can confidently say that he did not do it for the fame or the glory. After giving such a large sum of money so that the Music Hall could be constructed, he proceeded to give the children of the village free entertainment. Seeing a group of delighted children with smiles on their faces made him happy.

I find it interesting that I was able to learn so much about this individual by reading his obituary in such an unusual source- The Confectioners' Journal. It was while reading this article, fondly written by a close friend of his, that I discovered there was more to learn about Mr. Wallace. William Lawrence Wallace was born into a poor family in Richmond, Virginia, and lost his father when he was a little boy. His lifestyle was simple and he only received an elementary education. To his advantage, he was taken under his wealthy aunt’s wing. She was able to provide him with great opportunities. Mr. Wallace was involved in many businesses, one of which included being a partner in the firm Harriman and Wallace. In 1861, he moved to Tarrytown with his family. He was married three times and was the loving father of ten children. His place of residence was where my high school stands now. This, for me, is a connection to the past, which gives me a greater sense of appreciation for the history of my town.

It was probably due to his experiencing both sides of the financial spectrum that he gave his town the gift of unity. This experience provided the means for St. Mark's, Tarrytown's first Episcopal Church to be built. The creation of this church was significant because it welcomed all: rich and poor. According to The Confectioner’s Journal, this was a peculiar feature at that time, although welcomed by everyone in the community. It took me quite a while to find out if this church still existed today and, if so, where it is located. I first went through the Yellow Pages but found no mention of St. Mark's Church. Later, while looking through The Centennial History of North Tarrytown, I found an early photograph of St. Mark's Church and realized from an address provided that this church now houses a Catholic congregation, Immaculate Conception. The times may change, but the love he instilled within those walls can still be felt by today's worshipers.

The conclusion I have come to after completing my research is that William Wallace was truly a good soul. He was a builder in our community, hoping to make lasting impressions cast in brick and stone. He was a generous and philanthropic human being. Rather than simply give away his money to a random charity, he gave it to his town, with the dream of making life better for those around him. His reward was to live life every day, seeing people enjoy his work. Now that I know about Mr. Wallace's life, I can feel his presence in many places around my community. Each time I enjoy a show at the Music Hall, I can't help but think that one of our town's most precious attributes would not exist had it not been for Mr. Wallace. When I go to treat myself to a piece of chocolate in Anna Shea, I will remember him because he was the one to bring the chocolate industry into Tarrytown. As I walk by the church that, thanks to him, happily united two separated groups, I admire his accomplishment. While many of his creations still physically stand today, others have not lasted. That, however, does not mean they are forgotten. When I walk up the hill to my school, it astounds me that I am following in his footsteps. As I look out my classroom's window, I daydream of how he had probably done the same from his own window, seeing the same beautiful view of the Hudson River. As a part of our community, it seems to me that he wanted to build a nest around him. He built this nest with love, care, and generosity, and contributed to this village by making it a better, happier place to live.

Works Cited
1. Canning, Jeff, and William C. Gross. History of the Tarrytowns. Harrison: Harbor Hills Books, 1975.
2. Heintze, Edward A., ed. “William L. Wallace.” The Confectioners’ Journal (1890).
3. Hutchinson, Lucille, and Ted Hutchinson. The Centennial History of North Tarrytown. 1974.