Malone offers a small-town setting on the edge of the Adirondacks
With its rolling hills, nearby forests and the Salmon River flowing through town, outdoor activity is a large part of life in Malone. "The area is beautiful. We have breathtaking lakes, a beautiful ski area and a golf course," says Joanna Brown, broker at Northern Adirondack Realty and longtime resident. "I go on vacation to different places and say, 'I'd love to live here,' but there's really nothing like the North Country. It's just gorgeous." About 10 miles from the Canadian border, Malone is largely rural aside from the village of the same name in its northern end. For a remote community, it has plenty of employment options, with multiple correctional facilities, a thriving tourism industry and Alice Hyde Medical Center.
Housing styles spanning over a century in Malone
Vintage homes from the 1800s are common in Malone, including American Foursquares, folk-style houses and the occasional Victorian. Other housing options include Colonial Revivals, log cabins and midcentury ranch-style homes. The village is primarily suburban, with properties close together on streets lined with sidewalks and trees scattered throughout. The rural areas feature winding roads with fields and forests on either side, and properties of up to 50 acres. Fixer-uppers typically sell for $30,000 to $50,000. Move-in ready homes can cost between $60,000 and $300,000.
Hiking, skiing and fishing in upstate New York
Malone is just north of the Adirondacks, putting residents within a quick drive of outdoor recreation. Nearby hiking trails include Elephant's Head and the Ledges Trail, while the 46 High Peaks are about a 60-mile drive south on state Route 30. Titus Mountain Family Ski Center has over 50 trails across 380 acres of skiable terrain. The mountain also has a tubing hill and multiple terrain parks. Other activities in the area include fishing in the Salmon River, golfing at the public Malone Golf Club or snowmobiling on the miles of trails around town. Malone Memorial Recreation Park is a large green space on Duane Street with tennis courts, softball fields and walking paths.
Main Street offers locally owned eateries and chain shops
Steakhouses dominate the dining scene on Main Street. Brown recommends Donovan's Steak & Ale, which is known for its prime rib and filet mignon. Riverside Steak & Seafood offers another option. Malone also has several pizzerias downtown and a few fast-food chains on West Main Street. There are shops in town for sporting goods, furniture and collectibles. Chain retailers like Runnings, Aldi and Walmart are on the community's west side.
Gathering for worship in historic spaces
Malone has several churches that have served the town for centuries, including St. Mark's Episcopal Church, St. Andre's Parish and Centenary Methodist Church. First Congregational Church was founded in 1807 as the first church in Franklin County. The current church was built in 1883 on the foundation of the previous building. The church is part of the New York Underground Railroad Heritage Trail. The building's foundation includes tunnels and a hidden room, and several parishioners in the 1830s were also members of the Malone Anti-Slavery Society. William A. Wheeler, Vice President of the United States in the 1870s, was also a church member and part of the local abolitionist movement.
Multiple career and college paths at Franklin Academy High School
Students might attend Davis Elementary School and Malone Middle School, each rated a C-minus by Niche. Franklin Academy High School earns a B-minus and offers several Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses through local colleges like North Country Community College, Paul Smith's College and St. Lawrence University. Students can also take career and technical education courses in building trades, early childhood education, HVAC and other industries.
Town events celebrate holidays and local culture
Multiple events bring excitement to the town each year. The Franklin County Fair takes place in August and includes live music, carnival rides, food and livestock shows. The fairgrounds also hosts events like the annual Lumberjack Weekend in September. The community also goes big to kick off the holiday season in late November. "We have a Christmas parade that we do once a year with floats and different things like that. It's pretty cool, and it's huge," Brown says.
State and U.S. highways connect to Canada and nearby communities
U.S. Route 11 serves as the town's Main Street and offers a highway through upstate New York. State Route 30 provides a route north to the Canadian border or south into the Adirondacks. The larger city of Plattsburgh is about 50 miles away via state Route 190. Health care is available at the University of Vermont Health Network-Alice Hyde Medical Center.
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Written By
Matthew Atkins
