New Haven is a peaceful community overlooking Lake Ontario
New Haven is a small Oswego County town that combines quiet rural living with access to Lake Ontario. While neighboring communities like Mexico and Oswego are Lake Ontario fishing and boating hotspots, New Haven’s lakeside is primarily private. The town itself is just a small strip of buildings along New York Route 104, creating a tranquil, reserved atmosphere without too much traffic through the town. Residents have a sense of pride in New Haven and a desire to keep things peaceful and small. “If you drive through town, you see the hometown hero flags,” says New Haven’s town supervisor, Dan Barney. “We keep the pictures up of the veterans. It’s a big thing.” While New Haven’s small-town feel means it might not have the amenities of other big towns, those hubs are just a few miles down New York Route 104 in Mexico or Oswego .
Farmhouses and manufactured homes off New Haven's country roads
Narrow country roads pass open fields, broken up by farmhouses, ranch-style homes and manufactured homes. Small gardens in front yards bloom in the spring and summer. Along the water, contemporary homes are closer together and properties lead directly to Lake Ontario’s rocky shores, often without docks or fishing piers. New Haven prides itself on being a town where people have creative freedom over their properties. “We’re one of the few towns left that doesn’t have zoning… You don’t have a zoning board that tells you what color to paint your house or how high you can have your fence,” Barney says. Most homes cost from $100,000 to $340,000, but some smaller homes in need of repairs before they are move-in ready range from $40,000 to $80,0000. The town receives a 1 out of 10 Cap Index Crime Score, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Fishing and boating on Lake Ontario and snowmobiling in the winter
New Haven borders Lake Ontario, a hot spot for fishing and boating. Salmon fishing is a big draw for anglers across Oswego County, and some may even find the fish swimming up the creeks in the fall. Larger creeks like Catfish Creek are big enough for boaters to access the lake; otherwise, the lakefront is mostly private property. Those not living along the shore can access the water from neighboring communities, like the boat launch at Sunset Bay Park in Scriba or Mexico Point State Park. Campsites like Dempster Grove Campground and Catfish Creek Fishing Camp offer other ways for locals and out-of-towners to enjoy the outdoors. The proximity to the Great Lake creates intense winters for the county, but New Haven makes the most of it in the same way their neighboring Oswego County towns do — snowmobiling.
Driving and busing along New York Route 104 to Oswego and Mexico
While New Haven residents like the quiet atmosphere and access to the lake, they will need to head to other towns for things like dining, grocery stores, education and healthcare. Mexico is the nearest big town with a grocery store, about 5 miles away. Oswego is 11 miles away and is home to Oswego Hospital. New Haven residents can get to either hub via New York Route 104 by car or Centro buses. Syracuse and Syracuse Hancock International Airport are about 35 miles south.
New Haven students attend Mexico's public school district
New Haven is part of Mexico’s school district, where students start at New Haven Elementary School for kindergarten through fourth grade. Both it and Mexico Middle School receive C-plus ratings. Mexico High School receives a B-plus and offers career and technical education courses through the Center for Instruction, Technology and Innovation for fields like dentistry, auto body repair, culinary arts and coding.
New Haven's local farm stands and Mexico's nearby restaurant scene
Ashley Lynn Winery shares its grounds with Leon’s Farm Stand, both owned by the same local family. Fresh flowers and plants are available in the three greenhouses, along with fresh fruits and vegetables. People can stop in the winery to taste locally produced wines. More dining options are available in Mexico, like the Eis House, which serves American fare. Stefano’s is the town’s pizza joint, housed in an old Italianate building. Tops Friendly Market is 4 miles away in Mexico, and Walmart and Aldi are 9 miles away in Oswego.
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Written By
Caroline Ernst
