Dannemora offers rural and suburban living
In the mountainous Adirondacks, the town of Dannemora is 14 miles from Plattsburgh, New York. The area is known for the Clinton Correctional Facility within its village, a major employer and the main reason many residents move to the area. Residents also enjoy the town’s rural nature and proximity to lakes and mountains. “We've found that most people are here because of the rural vibe. The Town of Dannemora is lucky to have two lakes that residents and visitors alike can enjoy. Chazy Lake is fully within the town's Borders, while we share Chateaugay Lake with neighboring towns. The accessibility to clean air, clean water, and pristine views attracts and keeps people to our town,” says Deborah L. Coyer, the town supervisor of the town of Dannemora. Outside the village, nestled among mountains and lakes, is the hamlet of Lyon Mountain, an old mining town and railroad stop along the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. Dannemora combines classic suburban living with access to nature and outdoor recreation in the Champlain Valley.
Hiking, swimming and skiing in lakes and mountains
The village of Dannemora has a few parks, such as LaFontaine, which has a mixed-use baseball and soccer field. Across from the correctional facility is People's Park, an open green space with a gazebo where the village hosts events. In Lyon Mountain is the Lyon Mountain Miners Baseball Field and the Lyon Mountain Mining and Railroad Museum, which tells the history of the Lyon Mountain Mine and operates out of the old railroad station that was once a stop on the Chateauguay branch of the D&H Railroad. Near the hamlet is Lyon Mountain, within the Chazy Highlands State Forest. During the winter, the snowfall makes this a favorite skiing location. Chazy Lake has a beach with a playground and a sandy area. Visitors may also fish and boat on the lake. Upper Chateaugay Lake has a boat launch off state Route 374 with a parking lot. The greenery and lakes surrounding the villages and hamlets of Dannemora are part of the Adirondack Park, a 6-million-acre preserve with miles of hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing trails.
Suburban homes and lakeside living
Most homes line the gridded streets in the village of Dannemora and the hamlet of Lyon Mountain. Houses sit on manicured yards along sidewalk-lined streets. Those outside the village are on large lots among the Adirondack Mountains' rolling greenery or on the shores of Chazy or Upper Chateaugay Lake. Residences in the village and some in the hamlet have access to public water and sewer system, while those in the town usually have septic tanks and wells. National, Minimal Traditional and Colonial Revival are common styles. They range from $155,000 to $220,000. “The biggest deterrent to living here is probably the winter weather. We are in the "snowbelt" of the area. Our elevation is over 1,500 to 2,000 feet, so snow can start in October and stay as long as May,” says Coyer. Homes near lakes should also be prepared for flooding during inclement weather.
Employers within Dannemora village
“The two biggest employment areas are the Department of Correctional Custody in the Village of Dannemora. It is a maximum security prison,” says Coryer. “Most others work in the City or Town of Plattsburgh in medical or educational fields.” The Clinton Correctional Facility and the Saranac Central School District are major employers in the area and are in the village of Dannemora. Residents may walk to work, and those within the town may drive 17 to 22 miles into town using state Route 374. Plattsburgh is 14 miles away using the same route. The University of Vermont Health Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital is 15 miles away, and the Plattsburgh International Airport is 17 miles away. Houses of worship such as St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Dannemora United Methodist Church are in the village.
Shopping and dining in the village of Dannemora and Plattsburgh
Giuseppe’s Pizza & Pub is known for its wings and pies. The cozy restaurant is in a bright red building along Cook Street in the village of Dannemora. Next door, Maggy Market is a small grocery store and pharmacy. Within the market, Lashway’s Meat Market makes sandwiches. Plattsburgh has a Hannaford and a Market 32 near state Route 3.
Saranac and Northern Adirondack Central schools get Cs and Bs
The Saranac Central School District, which gets a B-minus from Niche, serves the village of Dannemora. Saranac Elementary and Saranac Middle get a C-plus, and Saranac High receives a B. The Northern Adirondack Central School District, which gets a C, serves the hamlet of Lyon Mountain. Northern Adirondack Elementary also gets a C, and Northern Adirondack Middle-High gets a C-plus. High schools in both districts offer extracurricular clubs such as yearbook and drama.
Community festival
In July, the Dannemora Village Fest celebrates its community with village-wide yard sales, live bands and vendors at the community center. There’s a fireworks show in the evening, and the weekend concludes with a free concert in People's Park.
![Isabella Pontecorvo]()
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
