The Mount Carmel District (or Area) is a historic neighborhood in Poughkeepsie, New York named for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and its associated (now defunct) school.

Location

The neighborhood is located on Poughkeepsie's north side. It roughly encompassess an area south of Marist College

Marist College

Marist College is a private liberal arts college on the east bank of the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie, New York. The site was established in 1905 by Marist Brothers, and the college was chartered in 1929...

 and just north of the Poughkeepsie Train Station

Poughkeepsie (Metro-North station)

The Poughkeepsie Metro-North Railroad station serves Poughkeepsie, New York and surrounding areas as the north end of the Hudson Line. It is also served by many Amtrak trains, which continue north to Albany and points beyond, and south to New York City's Pennsylvania Station. Trains leave for New...

. The neighborhood's western border is provided by U.S. Route 9

U.S. Route 9

U.S. Route 9 is a north–south United States highway in the states of Delaware, New Jersey, and New York in the United States. It is one of only two U.S. highways with a ferry connection ; the other being US 10. US 9 is signed east–west in Delaware and north–south on the rest of...

.

History and Culture

In 1910, Our Lady of Mount Carmel church opened on what is now Mount Carmel Place. Nearly 60 years later, the congregation moved into the former St. Peter’s Church at 97 Mill Street. A parish school was established in 1935, closing in 2007 due to low enrollment. Two years later, the school building was reopened under the direction of Astor Services and now functions as a school for special-needs students. Astor Services also occupies the original Church building on Mount Carmel Place.

The area has been home to many of Poughkeepsie's new immigrant populations, starting with the Irish, later the Italians, and is currently experiencing an influx of Latino immigrants. Still home to several Italian restaurants and bakeries, the area is widely referred to as Poughkeepsie's Little Italy

Little Italy

Little Italy is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Italians or people of Italian ancestry, usually in an urban neighborhood.-Canada:*Little Italy, Edmonton, in Alberta*Little Italy, Montreal, in Quebec...

. Each June Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish hosts the St. Anthony's Street Festival. This event draws a large number people to the District.

The historic Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge runs directly over the District. The area has seen increased traffic since the bridge reopened as the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park in October 2009.

On October 10, 2010, the first annual " A Taste of Little Italy " was held, under the direction of Cafe Bocca owner Erik Morabito. A historic day for the residents and business owners from within the Mount Carmel Community, as a Mayoral Declaration by City Of Poughkeepsie Mayor John Tkazyik, officially recognizing this neighborhood as "Poughkeepsie's Little Italy" was made.

Notable Businesses

• Andy's Place
• Cafe Bocca
• Caffe Aurora
• Dalleo's Delicatessen
• La Deliziosa Pastry Shoppe