 Distance to NYC: 65 miles
Area: 30 square mile
The Town of Carmel and its two hamlets, Mahopac and Mahopac Falls played a role in the history of Putnam County. Carmel was originally settled by the Wappingers, an Algonquin Indian tribe who lost the land to Colonists during the French and Indian War. In 1777, Sybil Ludington, the 16-year old daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington made her historic 40-mile ride on horseback to warn Colonial soldiers of the advancing British troops. A statue stands in her honor on the shore of Lake Gleneida. It is said that during the American Revolution, George Washington spent time at Captain John Crane's Inn, there is a commemorative marker on Route 6.
The Town of Carmel was established in 1795 and became the county seat when Putnam County was incorporated in 1812. In the mid-1800s Mahopac was a popular summer resort community. Vacationers from New York City traveled to Croton Falls on The New York Central Railroad, where waiting stage coaches brought them to Lake Mahopac.
Carmel is located in the south central part of Putnam County, about 65 miles from New York City and is best known for its beautiful lakes. Carmel contains the state's second oldest courthouse in continuous use. Many of the village homes now found on the main street were originally located on the shores of Lake Gleneida and were moved to their present sites when Lake Gleneida became part of the reservoir system.
Educational Facilities
The Carmel Central School District includes parts of Patterson, Southeast, Carmel, Putnam Valley, East Fishkill, and Kent. There are more than 5,100 students enrolled in the Carmel School System and approximately 88% of Carmel High School graduates go on to pursue some form of higher education. The Mahopac Central School District is a Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence district with an approximate enrollment of 5,200 students. 93% pursue higher education.
Recreational Facilities
Lake Gleneida is a sparkling, picturesque lake. Its shoreline, dotted with church steeples and quaint village homes, has provided amateur and professional photographers with numerous postcard scenes since the early 1900's.
Houses of Worship
The Church of Christ, Gilead Presbyterian, Drew Methodist, Lakeview Community, Kent & Fishkill Baptist, Mission Christian Academy, Mt. Carmel Baptist, Our Lady of the Lake, St. James the Apostle and the Buddhist Association allow for a varied choice of religious expression.
Local Links
| 