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.
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The neighborhood is located on Poughkeepsie's north side. It roughly encompassess an area south of Marist College and just north of the Poughkeepsie Train Station. The neighborhood's western border is provided by U.S. Route 9.
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.[1]
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. 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.[2] 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.
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