"Rochroane" castle was built between 1902 and 1905 for Melchior S. Belthoover, an oil and cotton millionaire from Natchez, Missisippi. The 44 room stone castle, sited on 37.5 acres overlooking the Hudson River, was designed by Arthur. J. Manning, a New York City architect who also lived in Irvington. This "Rhine castle" featured a spectacular stained- glass window by Louis Comfort Tiffany that depicted the Hudson River view as seen from the castle.
"Rochroane" castle was bought by Benjamin Halsey in 1927, and was renamed "Grey Towers". Halsey's widow later donated the castle to the Immaculate Conception Church. After the castle caught fire in 1977, it was torn down. The Corning (NY) Museum of Glass "saved" the Tiffany window and "restored" it. It is on display at the museum year round.
Later, I received E-Mail that said:
It was indeed amazing that as soon as the Halsey Castle, with its beautiful lake and woods, was given to the church, it burned. The land became a subdivision for very expensive new houses. But what goes around comes around, the church was also destroyed by fire.
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Photo and information courtesy of Phil Bilzor.