Litchfield draws farmers and people looking for rural solitude
Set in the rolling hills of Mohawk Valley, the town of Litchfield is an agricultural community that draws residents looking for plenty of acreage and space for homesteading. Alyssa Davis moved to the area from New Hampshire and runs Brick House Acres, a u-pick farm and garden center. “People who thrive out here with small farms and home businesses,” Davis says. “Our neighbors are just good, down-to-earth people. We’ve got 42 acres, and you quickly realize you can’t maintain it all by yourself. ... You get to know your neighbor, and we're always helping each other out.” While the town is called Litchfield, homes have Frankfort, Clayville or Ilion addresses. Regardless of where people live in the area, they have large lots and a quiet atmosphere in the valley, surrounded by helpful neighbors.
Spacious lots with ranch-style homes and cabins near Cedar Lake Club
Spread out across Litchfield, there are ranch-style homes and farmhouses on sprawling lots, and they tend to sell for $400,000 to $530,000. “We had a young family and wanted to settle and raise our family on some land,” Davis says. “New Hampshire has insanely high taxes. ... We have 42 acres now and spend less in property tax. That was a big draw.” Cabins and ranch-style homes with less acreage but closer proximity to The Cedar Lake Club can range between $130,000 and $400,000. Homes that sell for less than $100,000 are likely manufactured properties or need repairs. Because Litchfield is rural, homes run on well water and septic tank systems.
Members play at Cedar Lake Club or compete at Ilion Fish & Game Club
Despite the farming setting, residents are surrounded by golf clubs and community groups. Members of The Cedar Lake Club can play the 18-hole course, though some people pay for a social membership to access just the beach at Cedar Lake, the clubhouse and pavilion. Residents might prefer the large Stonebridge Golf & Country Club or smaller Mapel Crest Golf Club. The Ilion Fish & Game Club was founded in 1907, and current members pay dues to use the shooting range and participate in clay shooting tournaments. Ilion Snowdrifters Clubhouse maintains snowmobile trails throughout Herkimer County and hosts the annual Jerry Rice Racing Snow Drag series in January at the course behind The Lanterns.
Mount Markham High's athletic teams work hard
Mount Markham Central School District covers most of Litchfield and is rated B-minus by Niche. Mount Markham Elementary School earns a B-minus, while Mount Markham Middle School gets a C-plus. Mount Markham High School also receives a B-minus. All three schools neighbor one another, and the elementary and middle schools share a parking lot. Mount Markham High’s volleyball team has made it to finals multiple years in a row, and the girls' basketball team won its sixth-straight division title in 2025. Residents in the northwestern part of town may be in the Sauquoit Valley Central School District, which gets a B-plus.
Small town business like Brick House Acres and The Lanterns
Many people grow their own produce in home gardens, but there are a few options in the area for shopping and dining. "Our main crop is organic blueberries,” Davis says. “In the summer, we do berry picking. In the spring, May through June, we have all sorts of plants for people's gardens and hanging baskets, herbs, veggies and perennials. We occasionally offer workshops.” Anyone who needs to visit a grocery store might go to the Hannaford in Herkimer or New Hartford. The Lanterns is a bar in front of a snowmobile racetrack that opens for dinner and late-night drinks. Cedar Lake Club offers lunch at the clubhouse. Davis highlights Symeon’s Greek restaurant in Utica, and nearby Ilion has options like Sorrento Pizzeria & Restaurant.
Short trips to Utica and Herkimer
Long, two-lane roads weave through Litchfield, and the roughly 13-mile drive to Utica takes less than 30 minutes. Drivers might pass landmarks like the towering silos at Entwistle Farm. Commuters heading 10 miles to work in Herkimer have a 20-minute drive. Central Ilion has primary care services at Masaic Health Ilion, but Utica has the Wynn Hospital and St. Elizabeth Medical Center for emergency services. Residents drive up to Interstate 90 to reach the Syracuse Hancock International Airport, nearly 70 miles away. Norwich Corners Christian Church is one place of worship within town limits, as well as People's Undenominational Church, but there are more options in surrounding towns.
Neighbors help each other in feet of snow
Winters in Litchfield can be intense, bringing feet of snow. The county might declare travel bans and snow emergencies during intense weather. Davis says neighbors help each other, even during winter storms. One of her neighbors took the time to clear snow with his own equipment, so people wouldn’t have to dig out snow on their own.
