Carthage offers small-town charm near Fort Drum
Carthage is a pedestrian-friendly village in Jefferson County on the shores of the Black River. “It’s a cute village, very friendly, with a lot of little stores and restaurants,” says Betty Bork, an Associate Broker at Door to Door Realty with over two decades of experience. The downtown area, home to most of the locally owned businesses, spans a few blocks near the river. Although Carthage is a quiet village overall, the community comes together for the occasional celebration, like the annual holiday parade, which includes fireworks and a tree lighting. “You can watch the fireworks from your window,” Bork says—a perk for those who want to avoid the winter cold. The village is about 16 miles east of Watertown and 12 miles south of Fort Drum, an active reservation for the U.S. Army.
Turn-of-the-century homes in Carthage
The village’s gridded streets are lined with sidewalks and compact lots. Homes were built around 1900, reflecting the architecture of that time, including Queen Anne, Victorian and New Englander-style. Flowers may sprout from small front gardens or from potted plants on covered front porches. Much of the neighborhood’s construction took place before attached garages became commonplace, so many homes have detached garages or attached additions. Others simply offer parking in the driveway or on the street. Prices range from about $70,000 to $330,000, with fixer-uppers starting at about $50,000.
Students are zoned for the Carthage Central School District
The Carthage Central School District, rated B on Niche, serves the village. The district offers open enrollment and permits out-of-district transfers, but approvals depend on space and board discretion. Students may attend C-plus-rated Carthage Elementary School before advancing to B-minus-rated Carthage Middle School. Carthage High School, rated B, offers JROTC as an elective with full course credit. The high school also has a storied lacrosse program, notably overseen by former head coach Kirk Ventiquattro. In his 30 years of coaching at the school, “Coach V” led his teams to 458 wins, including three state championship appearances. Forty of his players went on to collegiate careers at the Division-I level.
Local businesses in Carthage and chain options in West Carthage
State Street is lined with locally owned shops and restaurants. Church Street Diner serves homecooked breakfast platters, while Stefano’s Pizzeria & Restaurant has been a casual dining spot in the village since 1985. The Carthage Area Farmers Market congregates on Fridays from May through September; the new Kolpin Family Pavilion is slated to become the permanent home for the farmers market, doubling as an outdoor community space. Shoppers can pick up groceries from Carthage Market or browse the chain retailers like Aldi and Price Chopper across the river in West Carthage.
Carthage offers riverside parks and recreation in the snow
Carthage has a few spots offering scenic views of the Black River. Residents can view the river rapids from Long Falls Park and launch boats from Turning Point Park. There is an increased flood risk along some parts of the Black River, particularly in the western corner of the village.
Carthage Recreation Park is the largest park in the community. It has three baseball fields and a trail through the woods, where locals may spot deer or wild turkeys and snowshoe in the winter. The average annual snowfall in Carthage is over 160 inches, which is typical of the region. “We’re in snowbelt country,” Bork says. “On the outskirts of town, [people go] snowmobiling for winter sports. Tug Hill isn’t too far; most of the snowmobiling is out that way.” About 30 miles south, Tug Hill is an undeveloped area that’s popular for snow sports thanks to all the lake-effect snow it gets.
Carthage is a walkable village with a hospital
Carthage spans less than 3 square miles, and its flat terrain and abundant sidewalks give it a pedestrian-friendly appeal. Carthage Area Hospital is located in the village. The Wilna-Champion Transportation Association offers a senior shuttle bus service. Route 3 goes through the village, taking drivers about 12 miles toward Fort Drum and about 20 miles to Watertown. Watertown International Airport offers daily flights to Philadelphia , and more commercial flights are available about 80 miles south at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
