Newport is where small-town living meets Mohawk Valley beauty
When it comes to living in Herkimer County, some people want to avoid busier cities like Utica, so they find their home in the quiet town of Newport, just northeast of the city. Kimberly Defaria is a licensed real estate salesperson with River Hills Properties, but she’s also a long-time Newport resident and business owner. “It’s a wonderful community. It’s small-town U.S.A.,” Defaria says. “We have businesses, restaurants, gift shops, a tavern and a distillery. You wouldn’t believe what you find here. We’re very fortunate.” The West Canada Creek flows through the heart of the village, where homes, businesses and restaurants are along sidewalk-lined streets. The surrounding town is full of rolling farmland and grassy hills, a common sight in this part of the Mohawk Valley. State Route 28 also cuts through town, making it easy to drive to nearby Poland and Middleville. Newport’s serene beauty and quiet but active community make it a destination for small-town living surrounded by nature and bigger cities.
Historic homes with limestone features and simpler designs near farms
Historic homes from the 1800s and early 1900s often have Italianate, Colonial Revival or Queen Anne designs. Some of the homes feature limestone exteriors, like the Yale-Cady octagon home built in 1849. Newer properties, from around the 2000s, are cabins or ranch-style homes. Prices range from $200,000 to about $400,000, though some properties that need repairs and undeveloped lots sell for less than $100,000. Because many homes are older, residents often park in detached garages or on long, paved driveways. Homes outside the village limits run on well water and septic tank systems, but homes in the village have access to public water. Neighbors in the village live close together, though not too close, while farms or sprawling fields often separate residents in the town.
West Canada Valley schools that offer FFA and access to training rooms
Newport is a part of the West Canada Valley Central School District, rated B-minus by Niche. The single campus holds pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students. West Canada Valley Elementary School earns a B-minus, while West Canada Valley Junior/Senior High School gets a C. Students can join the Future Farmers of America chapter to learn leadership and agricultural skills. The community is welcome to use the school’s fitness center on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Tubing down West Canada Creek or signing up for summer programs
Residents take advantage of living close to the West Canada Creek when the temperature heats up. “Every parking lot along the creek is full during hot summer days,” Defaria says. “People fish, kayak and go tubing. Tubing is really big. People come from all over for the creek.” The sign outside the Newport Free Library announces upcoming events, like summer reading challenges and craft time for kids. Anyone can visit Newport Playground to play on the paved athletic courts, baseball field or play equipment, though the park is especially busy during the Village of Newport Summer Park Program. The Golf Club of Newport is an 18-hole course that is open to the public, but members get discounted rates and can participate in club tournaments.
Main Street businesses, from a bakery to distillery
Defaria points out that for such a small area, there’s more to do than people may assume. Mixing Bowl by Mackenzie opens on Friday and Saturday mornings, with display cases full of freshly baked treats, but some people place custom orders and pick them up during the week. New York Pizzeria serves hot and ready pizza for dinner Thursdays through Sunday. Newport Town Tavern is a late-night spot to catch up with neighbors over a drink, while DikinDurt Distillery has a more laid-back atmosphere and moonshine tastings. Main Street Ristorante and Primitive Gift Shop is Defaria’s since-retired restaurant, but the building will reopen as the Olde Post Primitives gift store and the River Hills Properties’ new office. MAWS Farm off Main Street keeps a stocked farmstand with jams, preserves, fresh fruit and produce for sale. Anyone who needs a larger selection can drive to the Hannaford in Herkimer or Utica’s grocery stores.
Short drives to Middleville, Herkimer or Utica
Many people work around Newport, in areas like Middleville or Herkimer, but a few commute roughly 20 miles into Utica, which takes less than 30 minutes by car. Bassett Health Center Herkimer is 10 miles away and offers primary care services, while emergency services at Wynn Hospital are nearly 20 miles away in Utica. The nearest airport is Syracuse Hancock International, about 70 miles away using Interstate 90. The village has three historic churches clustered near each other off Route 28. “While other congregations are losing members, our churches have been going strong,” Defaria says. St. John the Baptist Church’s white stone exterior and First Baptist Church’s historic bell tower are hard to miss. Newport Methodist Church, meanwhile, is tucked behind full shade trees.
Snowplows get to work in winter
Defaria says the scenery is beautiful, and the town experiences all four seasons. When winters bring snow, residents don’t have to clear their own roads. "The village takes care of sidewalks and primary roads, and then the town and county take care of secondary roads,” Defaria says. “The state clears the major roads.”
