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Carmel, New York real estate, also known as the Town of Carmel, is ideally located in the picturesque Hudson River Valley about 50 miles north of the edge of New York City. Carmel, New York real estate is the county seat of Putnam County and contains 11 hamlets (including one also named Carmel) and favorably blends colonial history, suburban beauty and modern conveniences. A constant flow of new residents continues to move into Carmel, New York existing homes or resale homes. Searching Carmel, New York MLS resale listings is almost effortless on NewHomesRealEstate.net because we have volumes of comprehensive listings of Carmel, New York existing homes for sale, from mansions to investment properties to condominiums to townhouses.

The Buyer’s Agents of NewHomesRealEstate.net are licensed New York state real estate agents with access to extensive information on the up-to-date inventory of Carmel existing homes and Carmel resale homes on the market. With a click of your computer mouse, you can search thousands of resale homes in Carmel, New York. Customize your search by price and property type to quickly find the perfect resale home that meets your home-buying needs for you and your family.

More than 80 percent of all homebuyers start searching for their new home on the Internet and our Carmel MLS listings are the perfect place to start. View our library of resale listings and see for yourself. Each listing contains detailed information including color photos, property type, square footage, distance from major metropolitan cities, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, garage size and MLS number. With this amount of information at your fingertips, it is easy to see why NewHomesRealEstate.net is one of the premier Internet resources for Carmel resale homes.

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Town of Carmel, New York Area Demographics

Carmel, New York real estate has a population of 33,006 (200 U.S. census) and enjoys a favorable location near the center of Putnam County (population: 100,507), less than 60 miles north of New York City’s Grand Central Station and about 10 miles west of the Connecticut state line. The Town of Carmel is the county seat of Putnam County. Putnam County’s terrain is generally hilly, especially the western part of the county nearest the Hudson River, which is about 20 miles west. Putnam County has retained much of its rural character while adopting the urban and suburban lifestyles dictated by its proximity to New York City.

Putnam County is among the most affluent counties in the state, with a median household income of $72,279. The median family income is $82,197, the highest in the state.

The Town of Carmel, New York is the largest “town” in Putnam County, which has no cities, but is divided into six “towns,” three villages and at least 50 hamlets and unincorporated communities. In the state of New York, counties are subdivided into cities and towns. Everyone who does not live in a city or on an Indian reservation lives in a town. Villages and hamlets exist within towns. A village is an incorporated area which is usually, but not always, within a single town. A village is a clearly defined municipality that provides the services closest to the residents, such as garbage collection, street and highway maintenance, street lighting and building codes. Some villages provide their own police and other optional services. A hamlet is a populated area within a town that is not part of a village. The term “hamlet” is not defined under New York law (unlike cities, towns and villages), but is often used in the state’s statutes to refer to well-known populated sections of towns that are not incorporated as villages.

The six towns of Putnam County are:

Temperatures at the county seat of Carmel vary from an average high of 82 degrees and average low of 62 in July to an average high of 33 and low of 16 in January, with extremes of 101 in 2001 and -22 in 1994. Annual precipitation averages about 49.9 inches.

Town of Carmel, New York History and Culture

The Town of Carmel, New York and Putnam County real estate were the site of historic events during the Revolutionary War (1776-73) and the Civil War (1861-65) and have an active, well-documented and thoroughly interesting history.

When New York State established its first twelve counties in 1683, the present Putnam County was part of Dutchess County to the north. Originally purchased by Dutch settlers from the Indians in the late 1600s, the land was later sold to the wealthy Philipse family. In 1812, the 235-square-mile parcel named for Revolutionary War Gen. Israel Putnam (1718-90) was declared an independent county. The six towns comprising the county had reached their current names and boundaries by 1877.

Putnam County is in the heart of the Hudson River Valley — famous for it beautiful small towns and rich, early history. During the Revolution, troops were stationed in the Village of Garrison to guard West Point. During the Civil War, the first rifled cannon was produced at the foundry in Cold Spring.

The first European to explore Putnam County, New York real estate was Henry Hudson (for whom the Hudson River is named) in 1609. Hudson was seeking the elusive Northwest Passage to India when he sailed north up the river from New York City, but he turned around by the time he got to Albany. Nevertheless, the beauty and rich resources that Hudson reported soon brought other Europeans to settle in the area.

When Hudson came up the river, the area on the east (Putnam County side) bank was inhabited by a band of Native Americans called the Wappingers, sometimes known as the “River Indians.” The Wappingers farmed in the valleys, hunted in the forests and swamps and gathered shellfish in the Hudson estuary in the land that would become Putnam County. No European settlements in the Carmel area are known to have occurred during the 17th century, but the Wappingers had regular contact with Dutch traders from whom they acquired trade goods in return for beaver pelts. They also acquired disease, alcohol and firearms, decimating their people.

Although they did not live as far north as Putnam County, the first European settlers of southeastern New York, were sponsored by the Dutch West India Company in the 1620s and 1630s. English settlers arrived from New England in the 1640s. In 1691, two Dutch traders purchased a land parcel that would become Putnam County from the Wappingers. Six years later, they sold it to Adolph Philipse, a wealthy merchant. The real estate was designated part of Dutchess County. During the French and Indian War (1754-63), many of the Wappingers went to Stockbridge, Massachusetts (where they became known as the Stockbridge Indians). When the Wappingers returned to Putnam County after the war, they were denied their land rights.

During the Revolutionary War, the control of the Hudson Highlands was critical to both sides. British strategy aimed to dominate the Hudson, Lake George and Lake Champlain corridor all the way to present-day Canada and so cut the American colonies in two. To do this, the British had to take either the east (Putnam) or west bank of the river. The British briefly accomplished this goal, but failed to maintain their advantage. For part of the Revolution, the defenders of the Highlands were commanded by Gen. Israel Putnam, for whom the county would be named.

Putnam County was also where Benedict Arnold was staying, across from the West Point fortifications that he intended to place in enemy hands, but he was captured, tried and hanged.

Because the Philipses had been British Loyalists during the war, most of their lands were confiscated and sold. The ouster of the Philipses and other Tory families created opportunities for New Englanders and others looking for vacant land, creating an influx of immigrants to Putnam County. By 1812, the increased population of southern Dutchess County, as well as the inconvenient distance to the county seat in Poughkeepsie, prompted the creation of Putnam County.

Putnam County’s position on the Hudson gave it a good, cheap means of transporting people and goods to New York City and Albany, but the river froze in the winter and the treacherous landscape did not permit inland travel. In 1815, the Philipstown Turnpike Company was organized to improve a toll road from Cold Spring in western Putnam County to Connecticut. Wagons on the turnpike brought manufacturers to the interior and carried farm produce from eastern Putnam County and iron ore from the mines in the Highlands to the river. Unfortunately, the tolls were not adequate to make it a profitable venture for the investors.

Putnam County’s most famous industry, the West Point Foundry, opened in 1817. The events of the War of 1812 compelled the federal government to encourage a domestic munitions industry. Cold Spring’s location on the Hudson River opposite West Point was ideal: it had river transportation, water power, iron ore from nearby mines and fuel from charcoal-making operations in area forests close at hand. The foundry’s huge demand for workers, skilled and unskilled, brought Putnam County’s first flood of immigrants directly from Europe, primarily from England and Ireland.

By the mid-1800s, two railroads from New York City were operating in Putnam County, one along the shore of the Hudson to Cold Spring and the other in the Harlem Valley to Brewster’s Station. Gail Borden built his new milk processing plant at Brewster, just a few miles south of Carmel, where he could ship his condensed milk to market by rail. His operation required nearly 90,000 quarts of milk each day from the farmers in eastern Putnam County. Transportation of raw milk to Brewster encouraged the development of a network of good roads in the area.

Putnam County played a significant role in the Civil War. About a third of the men and boys between 15 and 55 served in the military; four distinguished fighting generals are associated with Putnam County. In addition to the ordnance supplied by the West Point Foundry and the condensed milk sold by Borden’s, Putnam County contributed to the cause by feeding the troops. Declining sheep farming received a boost by a renewed demand for woolen clothing when southern cotton was unavailable.

Between the Civil War and World War I, Putnam County’s industry and agriculture underwent great change. Iron mining and the West Point Foundry, which had prospered during the Civil War, were unable to compete with ore from Michigan and Minnesota and iron manufacturing in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Those involved in the iron business went west, moved to the cities, or found other jobs. Agriculture was also in decline. New York City’s need for more drinking water caused it to look to the entire Croton River watershed to supply its needs. Beginning with the construction of the Boyd’s Dam in 1866 through the construction of the last reservoir in Putnam County in 1906, some of the county’s best arable land was inundated. The lure of western land was irresistible for farmers who had worn-out land or whose property was taken over by the government. The population of Putnam County declined precipitously; in 1920 there were fewer residents than in 1820.

The abandonment of the mines and farms, the creation of the reservoirs and the preservation of new open space all contributed to the scenic beauty of Putnam County and made it attractive to a new industry: tourism. Hotels, inns and boarding houses around Lake Mahopac, Oscawana, and the many other lakes attracted vacationers to Putnam County. The existing railroads and the Putnam Division of the Harlem Railroad, built in the 1880s, made Putnam County a major vacation for New York City residents.

In the early 20th century, improved roads brought a new sort of “summer people” to Putnam County. The demand for better highways accelerated after World War I. During the Great Depression, many of the county’s dirt roads were paved. The Taconic State Parkway reached Putnam County in 1931. Small bungalow colonies sprang up and cheap, vacant land became large developments of summer homes in such places as Lake Peekskill, Lake Carmel and Putnam Lake. “A place in the country” became accessible and affordable for many New York City residents. Putnam County’s natural beauty made it a desirable summer resort area. Its many lakes and reservoirs were attractive for fishing and water sports. The abandoned iron mines and farms in the northwestern part of the county reverted to nature and became the nucleus of forested Clarence Fahnestock State Park in 1929.

While Putnam County’s population doubled during the summer months, the year-round population, which had reached an all-time low in 1920, began to grow. Apple, egg and poultry farming gradually replaced many of the dairy farms of the 19th century. Construction trades and the service industry were stimulated by the explosion of the summer population. People discovered that they could summer in Putnam County and still commute to New York City to work.

A new Putnam County was in the making on the eve of World War II, as it ceased to be a rural area and became part of the New York City outer suburbs. Returning veterans and many workers in New York City and lower Westchester County found one could live year-round in Putnam County and commute to work on excellent roads and rail connections. While not as convenient as Westchester County to the south, Putnam County offered less expensive housing, good schools and a safe environment. New year-round housing developments sprang up throughout the county. The rapid conversion of summer houses to year-round use has provided affordable housing — albeit at an environmental cost.

For several decades, Putnam County has been the one of fastest growing counties in the state of New York. The Taconic State Parkway, designed for leisurely pleasure driving, has become a heavily- traveled, high-speed commuter roadway. The interstate highway system now serves Putnam County; and while it has encouraged commercial development in the eastern part of the county, it has also produced more commuters and more congestion. One limit on Putnam County’s development has been the stringent regulations adopted by New York City to protect the watershed of its reservoir system. More than half of Putnam County is affected by these rules.

The water regulations, as well as the enormous expansion of the state park system in Putnam County, have saved open space for the county and helped to preserve its spectacular natural beauty. The forests and lakes enhance the quality of life for county residents and attract tourists. The preservation of historic sites and the revitalization of charming main streets also attract visitors.

Town of Carmel, New York Attractions, Activities and Amenities Carmel, New York real estate combines the best aspects of small-town living with all the amenities of modern living. Beautiful natural vistas and dozens of historic sites are the backdrop for a full slate of activities and cultural events. Rolling hills, lush green meadows, sparkling lakes, reservoirs and ponds offer visitors year-round opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, camping and horseback riding as well as kayaking and golf. Skiing and snowboarding are popular in winter. While some people enjoy browsing for antiques and leisurely shopping along quaint village streets, others immerse themselves in Carmel’s and Putnam County’s rich history, pursue the arts and theater or spend time at one of the county’s many lakes. Most residents of Carmel and Putnam County have made a conscious choice to withdraw from a city lifestyle, although many commute to New York City for work either by car or train.

The Putnam County Courthouse, at Carmel, was built in 1814 and is the second-oldest courthouse in the state and an excellent example of the Greek Revival style.

The Carmel Historical Center in Mahopac is one of many museums in Putnam County. It features original displays and merchandise of an old-time department store, an “industry room” and a large collection of local newspapers.

Southeast Museum on Main Street in Brewster showcases 19th century farming, early American circus, the Tilly Foster Iron Mine, the Harlem Line Railroad, Borden Milk Condensery, the Croton Water System and more.

The Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is a 14,086-acre getaway in west-central Putnam County. The park has four ponds and two lakes, picnic tables with pavilions, a playground, recreation programs, a nature trail, hiking and biking, a bridle path, seasonal turkey and deer hunting, fishing and ice fishing, a campground with tent and trailer sites, sledding, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, a boat launch with boat rentals and a food concession. During the winter season, part of the park functions as the Fahnestock Winter Park, attracting people who ski, sled, snowboard and snowshoe. The park also includes the Taconic Outdoor Education Center.

Constitution Island is located on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, across from West Point and near the village of Cold Spring. It is a part of the United States Military Academy, a National Historic Landmark. There are walking trails, Revolutionary War fortifications and the 1836 Warner House. The Warner family lived on the island from 1836-1915. Today the house still contains the original Warner furnishings. The original Warner Garden that formed the basis of the 1872 classic, “Gardening by Myself,” is still maintained. Boat tours leave from the South Dock at West Point during the summer months. Stonecrop Gardens, at Cold Spring, has a diverse collection of gardens and plants: woodland and water gardens, raised alpine stone beds, a cliff rock garden, perennial beds, and an enclosed English-style flower garden.

Constitution Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary at Garrison is a 200-acre preserve operated by the National Audubon Society. Visitors can canoe the marsh or enjoy it from the boardwalk or visitors’ center.

St. Basil’s Greek Academy in Garrison was formerly the estate of Jacob Ruppert (1867-1939), the beer baron and former owner of the New York Yankees. It was one of many estates along the Hudson known as “Millionaires’ Row.”

Boscobel, a beautifully-preserved 19th-century mansion high above the Hudson River in Garrison, is filled with fine examples of New York Federal furniture. Period rooms complete with pieces by Duncan Phyfe and other leading furniture makers of the day make Boscobel one of the nation’s leading museums of the decorative arts of the Federal period. In 1997 Boscobel opened a one-mile-long Woodland Trail on 30 acres south of the mansion. Other attractions include an orange grove and herb garden, rose garden, an apple orchard, gate house, necessary house, the original spring house and the carriage house where the gift shop is located.

The First Presbyterian Church in Mahopac was originally built in 1784 and was painted bright yellow. The present structure, restored after a devastating fire in 1983, was built in 1833. The beautiful tree-of-life stained glass windows were saved from the fire. The cemetery behind the church has gravesites dating to the 18th century. Many other historic burial grounds dot the county, including the Gilead Burying Ground in Carmel, which includes the grave of Enoch Crosby, the patriot spy and model for author James Fenimore Cooper’s hero Harvey Birch in “The Spy” and many other soldiers of the Revolutionary War. The Doanesburg-Sears Burying Ground, in Brewster, includes the oldest grave in Putnam County (1751) and many other 18th-century gravesites. Mountain Avenue Cemetery in Cold Spring is the oldest cemetery in Cold Spring, dating from the 1750s, and has the graves of Thomas Davenport, the first settler in Cold Spring in the 1730s, and of foundry workers and their families.

Foundry School Museum, at Cold Spring, was founded in 1906 and is dedicated to preserving Putnam County history. In 1960, the historical society purchased the 19th century Foundry Schoolhouse. Today the collections reflect the story of the West Point Foundry on an award-winning video for visitor viewing, as well as artifacts, original documents and records; a parade Parrott Cannon; John Ferguson Weir’s masterpiece painting, “The Gun Foundry,” fine examples of Hudson River School paintings; 19th century furnishings, china and silver; a large costume collection; a collection of historical and genealogical reference materials, books, maps and photographs; the Putnam County News & Recorder on microfilm from 1867 to present and a host of other illuminating items.

Chuang Yen Monastery, at Kent, is the largest Buddhist monastery in the eastern United States. It houses the Woo-Ju Library, the only library in the U.S. specializing in the Buddhist religion. Chuang Yen is also home to the largest indoor statue of Buddha in Europe and the Americas. Kuan-Yin Hall houses a colored porcelain statue of Kuan-Yin Bodhisattva which dates from the Ming Dynasty. It is the largest colored porcelain statue of Kuan-Yin in the world.

Tompkins Corners, on Peekskill Hollow Road at Putnam Valley, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to the Methodist Church, the general store that dates back at least 150 years and a house that was built by one of the original Tompkins in the area in the late 18th century. Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke here when running for governor.

The Putnam Valley Historical Museum is located in the 1846 one-room schoolhouse at Adams Corners.

Manitoga, The Russel Wright Design Center, at Garrison, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It offers more than four miles of artfully-designed trails for hiking and picnicking. When designer Russel Wright found this property in 1942, it had been damaged by a century of quarrying and lumbering. He carefully redesigned and re-sculpted Manitoga’s 75 acres using native plants, his training as a theater designer and sculptor and his innovative design ideas. Though the landscape appears natural, it is actually a careful design of native trees, rocks, ferns, mosses, and wildflowers. Dragon Rock, Wright’s experimental house, has 11 levels, and takes maximum advantage of its cliff-side setting, enhancing rather than dominating its surroundings.

Garrison Art Center is housed in three 100-year-old buildings on historic Garrison’s Landing. Featuring two exhibition galleries and studios for printmaking and ceramics, the center offers classes year-round for children and adults in visual and dramatic arts. John Burchetta, who operates Burchetta Glass Blowers, is among the Hudson Valley’s most successful glassmakers. He creates his own limited-edition art glass in a 100-year-old barn in Carmel. His pieces are sold in shops and boutiques all over the world. Burchetta HotGlass is known for its colored shapes and patterns on clear backgrounds, though there are literally hundreds of variations.

Whether you seek a luxury home, a starter home, a condominium, a townhouse or an investment property, NewHomesRealEstate.net can help you find the Carmel, New York real estate you desire.