Columbia offers a practical escape
In Columbia, the hills of the Adirondack region provide a respite from more populated areas. This community of about 1,600 is filled with green countryside for as far as the eye can see, giving homebuyers access to multi-acre estates. Homes here offer a feeling of seclusion, but residents who choose Columbia are still within 10 miles of amenities in larger towns like Herkimer . “They’re looking to get out of the more urban areas and get into something with a little more space,” says Delbert Ball, a local Realtor at Keller Williams Mohawk Valley, with about 14 years of experience. “As prices increase in town, they can buy a home in the rural areas and have a little more acreage and land. As things progress, people are looking to expand their living space and get something a little bit more in size, acreage-wise.”
Historic and modern homes come with roomy lots
Columbia has homes dating to the 1800s, others constructed in the 2000s and a range of options built in between. No two houses look exactly the same. Instead, Columbia offers a mix of farmhouses, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes. Many of them command lots of at least a couple of acres. Houses needing TLC sell for $50,000 to $80,000, while move-in-ready homes go for $130,000 to $340,000.
Central Valley schools start arts instruction early
The Columbia area spans three school districts. The Central Valley Central School District and Mount Markham Central School District maintain B-minus grades from Niche, while the Richfield Springs Central School District gets a C. Central Valley Central covers much of the community, a system formed by the merger of the former Ilion and Mohawk school systems in 2013. “They have a pretty large school district that covers multiple townships,” Ball says. “That’s allowing people to have the same school district, but also expand to the rural areas.” Central Valley Central’s C-plus-rated Harry M. Fisher Elementary includes prekindergarten through first grade, and the B-minus-rated Barringer Road Elementary has grades 2 through 4. Elementary students in the district get music, drama and visual arts instruction. The C-plus-rated Gregory B. Jarvis Middle has grades 5 through 8, and its students can take part in musicals. Central Valley Academy, the district’s high school, gets a B grade and offers art history and chorus classes.
Country roads carry drivers to bigger communities
Columbia is just outside multiple larger villages on the Mohawk River, including Ilion and Herkimer. Both have populations over four times the size of Columbia’s. Elizabethtown Road and New York state Route 51 are connections to Ilion, 8 miles away. Herkimer is also about an 8-mile trip using New York state Route 28. Routes 28 and 5S take drivers to the city of Little Falls and the Little Falls Hospital, 16 miles away. Travelers can use Interstate 90 for the 75-mile trip to the Syracuse Hancock International Airport to catch direct flights to over two dozen cities.
Ice cream can come with a side of mini golf at local landmark
Residents have quick access to Mister Shake, a seasonal spot open from March to October. Located off Route 28 in Columbia, Mister Shake is a hot spot for ice cream and hamburgers, and is connected to an 18-hole mini-golf course. “It’s kind of like a summertime entertainment place,” Ball says. People can head to Herkimer for more amenities. “Anything that you’re going to need is usually in Herkimer,” Ball says. That includes The Java Shop, a breakfast and lunch spot, and Fat Cats, a draw for seafood. Herkimer also has Walmart, Tractor Supply Co. and Harbor Freight.
Close-by beach and golf courses offer outdoor experiences
The area’s rolling landscape provides an apt setting for multiple golf courses. Columbia is within a dozen miles of both the Maple Crest Golf Course and The Cedar Lake Club. Maple Crest’s 9-hole circuit is open to the public, and the 18-hole Cedar Lake course is private. The region is also flush with lakes, and Canadarago Lake is just under 10 miles outside Columbia. Baker’s Beach, along Canadarago’s shore, is open to swimming and fishing, and has a playground. Russell Park in Ilion has several trails.
Area events include a festival and a farmers market
Communities like Ilion offer festivals and other events. Ilion Days is one of the area's traditions, dating back about four decades. Held in July at David P. Whalen Community Park, Ilion Days includes a parade and a fireworks show. Farmers and artisans offer their products at the Mohawk Valley Farmers Market in Herkimer on Tuesdays from July to October.
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
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Wayne Epps Jr.
