The Tribune-Democrat and Tribune-Review report that Pennsylvania state police have arrested Edgar Clinton Wiltrout, 55, of Ligonier, and charged him with arson in a February 23 fire that destroyed The Hollow Tavern along the Lincoln Highway in Unity Township, Westmoreland County. He also was charged with multiple felony counts of burglary, causing or risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment. Damage was estimated at approximately $450,000 with no injuries reported. Wiltrout is in Westmoreland County Prison in lieu of $1 million bail.
Above: A vintage Sleepy Hollow matchbook, courtesy Cyrus Hosmer.
Sleepy Hollow was a popular stop since being built 1939-1940, but suffered after the westbound lanes of Lincoln Highway/US 30 were moved across Loyalhanna Creek.
Tags: Ligonier PA, restaurant fire, roadside restaurant, Sleepy Hollow Tavern
Lincoln Highway News 
April 22, 2008 at 8:39 pm |
It amazes me that people will commit crimes such as these. A WTAE article says that he burned down the building because the former owner fired his girlfriend and owed him money. There is no logic behind this at all. Now this historic landmark will be lost forever, just because of this one man. I wish Sleepy Hollow could be rebuilt. These Lincoln Highway landmarks need to be treasured, not destroyed. Like the Ship Hotel, Sleepy Hollow is lost forever because it was allowed to fall into the wrong hands.