New York Communities

Putnam County, New York

Putnam County, New York delights the eyes with picturesque vistas of rolling grassy hills and tranquil lakeshores.  Almost 50 miles to the north of New York City, Putnam County rests serenely in the heart of the lovely Hudson River Valley, a region steeped in colonial history and natural splendor. 

The majestic Hudson River forms the western boundary of Putnam County, and the Connecticut state line is the eastern boundary.  Putnam County remains a refreshingly rural area, sandwiched between the urban masses of New York City and Poughkeepsie.  Six major towns and numerous quaint little villages provide a variety of lifestyles for Putnam County residents, which numbered 95,745 in the 2000 Census.  The NY 2004 estimate showed an increase of more than 5% in population. 

Carmel, the county seat, sits along the shores of lovely Lake Gleneida.  Found here is the historic Putnam County Courthouse, built in 1814, the second oldest courthouse in New York State.  A statue of Sybil Ludington overlooks the lake here, honoring the memory of a young teenage girl who rode 40 miles rousing colonial troops to arms during the Revolutionary War.  Carmel claims several other National Historic Landmarks, as do other towns in Putnam County.

The town of Southeast retains a 19th century atmosphere, and visitors delight in the Brewster Village downtown district.  The Southeast Museum located here preserves much of Putnam County’s long history.  The quaint village of Cold Spring shelters on the banks of the Hudson River and holds a reputation for being a treasure trove of antique stores.  The town of Patterson lies in the northeastern part of Putnam County, in the Harlem River Valley Region.  Here is the site of NY’s Great Swamp, the second largest wetlands in the state.  The Cranberry Mountain Wildlife Area and the Thunder Ridge Ski Area exist side by side with the swamp, making Patterson an outdoorsmen’s dream home. 

The town of Kent nestles in the Hudson Highlands and is home to the Clarence Fahnestock State Park, with over 14,000 acres and a pristine beach at Canopus Lake.  Kent also claims the site of the Chuang Yen Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in the eastern United States.  The monastery contains several phenomenal Buddhist statues of enormous height. 

Putnam County residents enjoy a level of financial prosperity along with their wealth of natural beauty.  The local median household income was over $72,000 (2000 data) compared to the national average of $42,000.  Interstates 84 and 684, the beautiful Taconic State Parkway, and US Routes 6 and 9 present easy access to the neighboring cities.  Festivals and events year-round within Putnam County keep residents actively participating in their unique communities.  

Putnam County, New York provides an oasis of peaceful rural living while surrounded by some of the most quickly growing regions in the nation.  Containing many of NY’s finest outdoor experiences and full of friendly, stable towns and villages, Putnam County is a place to call home.