Old Dutch Burial Ground: Beyond the Headless Horseman

The Old Dutch Burial Ground in Sleepy Hollow holds centuries of real-life stories behind the legend, from Dutch settlers to war heroes.

Many are familiar of the tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, where the spirit of the Headless Horseman chases Ichabod Crane through the hollow after a party at the Van Tassel farm. Irving was inspired for the story by this quiet region just north of the city, including the Old Dutch Burial Ground where the Galloping Hessian is said to tether his horse every night. There is even a nod to the site of the original bridge that Ichabod is said to have tried to make his escape across. It is no longer standing, but there is a replica in nearby Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

There are many stories to be told of this town though, beyond Irving’s classic tale. The burial ground was established in 1638, making these residents some of the original settlers. There are Dutch settlers, Revolutionary War heroes, and many others buried within its neatly lined rows. And while some names are said to have inspired characters from the story, they all have their own stories to tell from the real lives they lived.