Pamelia is a deeply rural suburb north with lots of outdoor fun
Pamelia is a rural community that covers the territory between Watertown and Perch Lake. Apart from a few shops in the heart of town, somewhat misleadingly known as Pamelia Center, it doesn’t have much retail, but most residents are within a short drive of retail centers in Watertown and around Fort Drum. “It’s a very quiet area, mostly farms,” says real estate salesperson Shondra Beach of Bridgeview Real Estate Services. “It’s nice if you want a more rural living experience, or if you’re looking to be close to hunting, fishing and hiking opportunities, while still staying close to Watertown and the base.”
Midcentury homes with rural backdrops
The vast majority of Pamelia is covered by farms or woodlands. Most homes are found along local state highways, particularly state Route 37, which connects Pamelia Center to Watertown. Midcentury-ranch-style homes are the default here, but new traditional 2-story builds are also common. Lots tend to be large and are generally bordered by local farms or forests. Single-family home prices range from $100,000 to $420,000. There are also a few mobile homes available in the area, which can go for anywhere from $15,000 to $290,000.
Tons of hunting, hiking and fishing nearby
While Pamelia doesn’t have much in the way of traditional public parks, it is home to an impressive array of outdoor amenities. Perch Lake and Perch River State Game Management Area on the north side of town are popular spots for hiking, boating, fishing and hunting. The James R. Kanik Nature Trail offers additional hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. A tamer outdoor experience can be found at either of Pamelia’s public 18-hole golf courses, Willowbrook Country Club and Highland Meadows. The community is also just 10 miles from the shores of Lake Ontario, a popular fishing and boating location in warmer months.
Retail is concentrated in Watertown and Fort Drum
There are a few small shops scattered around Pamelia, notably Miz Betty’s Delights bakery and longstanding comics emporium Sanctuary Comics, as well as a few Amish farm stands on the north side of town. Residents looking to pick up groceries or do some shopping generally have to head to either Watertown or the shopping centers that run along U.S. Route 11 by Fort Drum. “Most of the people in the area are either working at Fort Drum or Watertown,” says Beach. “So it’s not like they have to go out of their way to do their shopping. But they definitely can’t walk there.
General Brown Central public schools
Pamelia is part of the General Brown Central School District, which is centered in the neighboring suburb of Brownville. Dexter Elementary has a B-minus rating on Niche, while General Brown Junior/Senior High School has a C. The high school offers dual enrollment courses through a partnership with Jefferson Community College.
Locals head to Watertown for events
Pamelia’s largest annual event is the annual golf tournament fundraiser held by the Pamelia Fire Department. Locals looking for larger events generally head to Watertown, which hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, including the Jefferson County Fair, which turned 200 in 2017, and Black River Fall Fest.
I-81 connects to Watertown and Thousand Islands
Interstate 81 runs through the heart of Pamelia, connecting residents to both Watertown and the Thousand Islands region to the north — the latter draws tens of thousands of tourists every summer. It’s about 24 miles by car to the Thousand Islands Border Crossing to Canada, and a little over 50 miles to Kingston, Ontario. Watertown International Airport is only a few miles west of Pamelia, but it has limited flights, so locals often make the 70-mile drive to Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
