Lots of History at Sleepy Hollow
(Article from On The Mountain magazine/June/July 2007)

When Trina Brettmann bought the Sleepy Hollow Cabins and Motel in Crestline she started researching the history of her business and quickly learned she was in for quite a surprise.

Brettmann discovered the cabins and main home were built in 1947-48 and stretched from the current motel building down to The Oak Trunk, blocks away.  When the Alban family purchased the property in 1965 and became the third owners, the sale included the current property but not the adjacent lots.  Cabins #8 and #11 had been moved to their present location prior to 1965 when the lots were sold separately to later become the bowling alley.  The swimming pool was added in 1968.

To make additional parking, a family friend removed three garages.  Piece by piece in the wee hours the garages were transported to the Valley of Enchantment.  “What a sight to see huge bits of a garage traveling down Lake Drive,” laughed Virginia Alban.

In 1982, cabins #5, #9 and #10 were removed to make way for the two-story motel building.  “During the 1970s the entire complex was rented to film crews on two different occasions,” added Virginia.  During the filming of Skateboard to Hell, Virginia and son Richard were shown on the front porch under the old Sleepy Hollow sign.  “Can you believe they had some of the women in the film dancing topless on the outside tables of the old A & W,” Alban continued.

Fallen trees from a heavy snowstorm leveled two cabins in March 1991.  They were rebuilt into suites and given new names.  Many upgrades and improvements have been done to the property including an in-ground hot tub those seats up to 15.

Famous guests have included: David Cohen of Table for Two, Hugh Hewitt, Life & Times and Rhett Price, Channel 7 News.  Howie Mandel was a guest in the 1980s while filming a commercial for 7-11.  “At first we didn’t realize just how popular the Sleepy Hollow had become,” Trina added.  “But it wasn’t long before we noticed that many of our adult guests came to Sleepy Hollow with their parents and are now bring their children.  It is heartwarming to hear the history they have to share.”

Brettmann purchased Sleepy Hollow from the Reeders in May 2006 and she has been busy remodeling many of the cabins, main office and grounds.  Stop by and check it out.

Congratulations Trina!