New Armonk Eagle Proudly Soars Above North Castle
One of the most recognizable symbols of North Castle is flying as high and as proudly as ever.
The new Armonk eagle was unveiled at its perch at the intersection of routes 22 and 128 during a special ceremony Monday afternoon. The eagle, with its 40-foot wing span welcoming residents and visitors to the hamlet, is made of aluminum, replacing the old wooden one that had deteriorated in the elements.
The Engel Berman Group, developer of The Bristal at Armonk, an assisted living facility on Business Park Drive, donated $25,000 to pay for the project. Signs Ink of Yorktown Heights constructed the two sections of the new eagle, which won’t fall apart , the fate that met its wooden predecessors.
“Armonk’s a great community. We’re going to be here for a long time, a lot of years, said Steven Krieger, partner of The Engel Burman Group during the ceremony. “And we want to take care of the people that live in Armonk and help build this community. So that’s why we’re here.”
North Castle Supervisor Michael Schiliro said Monday was “an exciting day in our history.” He thanked the individuals and groups that were responsible for the project, including The Engel Burman Group, former councilwoman Diane Roth, who was instrumental in obtaining the funding for the project, Signs Ink and the North Castle Historical Society. Other groups who contributed to its latest incarnation were the Eagle Restoration Committee, the Beautification Committee, the Landmarks Preservation Committee, the town’s historical society, Skyline Electric, which donated labor, parts and material and town staff.
“The eagle has become really a symbol of North Castle,” Schiliro said. “When you’re coming into town a lot of times you just say make a right or left at the eagle. That’s all you have to say and people know where they’re going. And it’s a reminder of the great pride that our residents have in this town and, in actuality, in our country.”
Constance Quarrie, of the North Castle Historical Society, said the original eagle was constructed for the nation’s bicentennial. It was originally meant to serve as a temporary bunting bedecked archway over the July 4, 1976, parade route from IBM headquarters onto Main Street, she said.
“Two days before the scheduled parade, the state highway department refused permission to hang this structure by wires across the roadway,” Quarrie said. “A new site was quickly chosen and the wooden eagle had already been designed and constructed.”
In 1992, the eagle was painted and repaired. But prior to being renovated, it was “torched by vandals” while it was on the ground, Quarrie noted.
“In 2002, a more permanent structure was built and installed to fly again,” she said.
“Over the years, the Armonk eagle has been a signature landmark for our town,” Quarrie said.
