Smithfield is a rural town centered on the hamlet of Peterboro
Smithfield centers on the hamlet of Peterboro, which serves as the administrative center for the upstate New York town. The hamlet and town are named for Peter Smith, an entrepreneur who served as a Madison County judge in the early 1800s. Smithfield is currently home to around 1100 residents who enjoy a rural lifestyle 35 miles east of Syracuse. “It’s a country location, so if they’re looking for country, that would be one of the areas,” says Julie Stickels, broker and owner of Kay Real Estate, who has 40 years of local experience.
Ranch-style homes sit on large lots surrounded by hills and farmland
Smithfield’s average home value is around $230,000, roughly $50,000 less than the average for the Syracuse metro. Fields, forests and gently rolling hills border the winding country roads. Most properties measure three-quarters of an acre to 3 acres, with sprawling yards and long gravel driveways. Some larger homes have garages, which are useful during the region’s cold and snowy winters. Farmhouses and manufactured and ranch-style homes sell for $125,000 to $250,000. Smithfield has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and well below the national average of 4.
State parks and trails offer hiking, picnicking and wildlife
Visitors to Nichols Pond Park explore the remnants of a late-1300s Oneida village, hike through woods and wetland, and try to spot beavers from the observation deck overlooking the pond. Picnic tables and grills are available throughout the park. It’s about 10 miles to Chittenango Falls State Park, where hiking trails wind through a rocky gorge to a scenic waterfall. Cazenovia Lake is about 10 miles away for boating, fishing and swimming. Equestrians will find several horseback riding services and stables throughout Smithfield.
Students attend schools in small local districts
Students may attend one of several school districts, depending on their address. Stockbridge Valley Central School District in Munnsville receives a Niche grade of C-plus, and Morrisville-Eaton Central School District is rated C. Madison Central School is rated C-minus. Because the districts are so small, athletes from Madison and Morrisville-Eaton join forces for sports such as football, wrestling, field hockey and track.
Restaurants and retail in Hamilton, Oneida and Cazenovia
Residents head to nearby towns, most within a 10-mile radius, for shopping and dining out. “They could go into Hamilton, they could go into Oneida, or Cazenovia’s not that far away,” Stickels says. Hamilton is home to Colgate University and cozy bars like The Tavern and Donovan’s Pub. Oneida is a larger city with chain retailers like Walmart and Lowe’s and a downtown packed with small shops and cafes. Groceries are available at Tops and Aldi in Canastota. Blue Canoe Grill on Tuscarora Lake in Erieville is a popular spot, and the dining rooms at lakeside inns like The Brae Loch and Brewster are top draws for Cazenovia.
Country roads connect to Route 5 for the drive to Syracuse
Smithfield has no major highways, but residents connect to New York State Route 5 for the 35-mile drive to Syracuse and the closest major airport. Medical care is available about 10 miles away at Oneida Health Hospital. Community Memorial Hospital provides another option about 15 miles away in Hamilton.
Museums and monuments honor abolitionists and local history
The New York State Antislavery Society held its first meeting at the National Abolition Hall of Fame & Museum in 1835, and the facility holds group tours and special events. The Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Monument, a tribute to a local abolitionist, offers tours as well, and exhibits at the Peterboro Area Museum highlight regional history and genealogy.
