Danube is a slice of serenity in central New York
Settled almost 300 years ago, Danube remains as it was found in many ways. This rustic Herkimer County community is still full of vast stretches of open land, broken up only by scattered homes, farms and roads. “It’s a very small hamlet of that area. Not much commercially, it’s mainly a farm and residential area. There’s a lot of eclectic homes there — there’s really some historic homes,” says local Realtor Delbert Ball of Keller Williams Mohawk Valley, who has about 14 years of realty experience. “What attracts people to that area might be somebody that’s into history and nature.” Trails by the Mohawk River offer ways to take in the natural landscape, and the city of Little Falls across the water provides relatively quick access to stores and restaurants.
Classic farmhouses to modern manufactured homes, options vary
Danube has some homes inching toward the 200-year-old mark. The area’s older properties represent an array of styles, from farmhouses to colonials to Italianate-style houses. Many of the area’s newer options, built since the turn of the 21st century, are manufactured homes. Multi-acre lots are common around Danube, regardless of the age or style of the house. Traditional single-family homes can sell for anywhere from $60,000 to $240,000, and manufactured homes go for $80,000 to $110,000.
Local students are recognized for academics and attendance
Most of Danube is part of the Little Falls City School District, which gets a B-minus grade from Niche. The C-plus-rated Benton Hall Academy covers prekindergarten through fifth grade. Little Falls Middle has a C rating, and holds an annual Breakfast of Champions at the end of the school year, recognizing its students’ academic performance, high attendance and examples of good character. Seniors at the B-minus-rated Little Falls High have the opportunity to earn scholarships from multiple local groups, including the LFHS Historical Society and the LFHS Class of 1976.
Larger communities remain at relatively quick reach
Little Falls — which has a population of 4,600, compared to Danube’s 950 — is just about 8 miles away across the Ted Wind Bridge. The Little Falls Hospital has a 24-hour emergency department. Part of Interstate 90 cuts through Danube, and drivers can follow that highway 80 miles west to the Syracuse Hancock International Airport for direct flights to 25 places.
Area restaurants offer a range of environments
Little Falls is the closest hub for dining. Beardslee Castle is a unique spot in Little Falls, directly across the Mohawk River from Danube. Housed in a replica of an Irish castle built in 1860, the restaurant serves a dinner menu with entrees like roast pork tenderloin and pan-seared chicken on its main floor. The castle’s dungeon is a more casual setting where diners can chomp on burgers and wings, and play pool. Little Falls’ Main Street is lined with places like Ruggiero's Trattoria, an Italian steakhouse with everything from meatball subs to steak Sinatra. That Little Place on Main features a diner-style setting and is a draw for breakfast. “Much more small, privately owned restaurants in Little Falls and surrounding areas there,” Ball says. “Not so much the franchise, chain restaurants.” Little Falls also has a Price Chopper for groceries. Specialty stores in the city include Venture Fourth for outdoor gear and Joyfuls Vintage Designs for furniture and decor.
River provides a setting for water sports and walks
A portion of the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail — part of the 750-mile Empire State Trail — cuts through Danube, along the Mohawk River. Some of the trail is paved, and hikers and cyclists are treated to views of the Adirondack region’s hilly terrain. “It’s a very pretty area,” Ball says. A piece of the trail snakes by the Herkimer Home State Historic Site in Danube, which dates to the 1760s and is on the National Register of Historic Places. General Nicholas Herkimer, a veteran of the French and Indian and Revolutionary wars, owned the home. Locals looking for direct access to the river can head 8 miles to the St Johnsville Municipal Marina & RV Campground, which has a boat launch and is open to fishing. Eastern Park, 8 miles away in Little Falls, includes a playground and multiple shaded benches.
Festivals highlight music and cheese
Residents looking for community activities can head to Little Falls. The city is home to annual events like the Little Falls Cheese Festival in October, which attracts thousands of visitors and vendors offering over 120 varieties of cheese. The Rock Valley Music Festival, held each May at Rock Valley Brewing Co., includes performances from multiple local bands, food trucks and an assortment of craft beer.
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
