Historic pitstop in central New York offers a slowed-down lifestyle
Once a trading post between Ithaca and Cortland in central New York, the small, historic hamlet of McLean still serves as a pitstop for commuters between the two cities. McLean’s town center perches at the crossroads of five streets, creating an asterisk straddled by a post office, fire station, antique store and historic inn – each establishment playing its own role within the community and telling its own story.
Since 2015, resident Tom Ludgate has been selling a collection of antiques at his brick-and-mortar McLean’s 5 Stop Shop on the intersection between Church Street and Stevens Road. Once the F.H. Maricle General Store, the establishment is now filled with vintage finds from the area – from vinyl records to children’s toys – some as old as the building itself, which dates back 225 years. “People would horse and buggy through here to get their supplies,” Ludgate says. Though buggies have been swapped for cars, McLean still retains its reputation as a quaint rest stop for commuters – and a peaceful rural enclave with a laidback lifestyle for its residents. “It’s a pretty quiet place except for the traffic; we get 100 cars every 10 minutes,” Ludgate says, “but generally, you can sit out on your front porch and slow down.”
Antiques and American dishes in McLean
The wall-to-wall antiques in McLean’s 5 Stop Shop draw in customers from all over the state. Ludgate has filled the store with an amalgam of antiques through a buy-and-trade system. “There’s a little bit of everything, from books and toys to postcards that are 100-plus years old,” Ludgate says. Across Church Street, another historic site beckons visitors and locals alike. Housed in McLean’s first log tavern built in 1796, the Elm Tree Inn restaurant offers a menu of American classics such as hand-cut steaks and seafood entrees.
The Dandy Mini Mart gas station down School Street provides convenient refueling, but McLean residents head to the neighboring Cortlandville area for shopping and other essentials. Just 5 miles north, the Cortlandville Mall houses big box retailers like JCPenney and Marshalls, as well as supermarkets like Aldi and Walmart. Local eateries cluster on Main Street in Cortland, with favorites including Hairy Tony’s, Cortland Diner and the Cortland Beer Company.
People looking for antiques will stop into the 5 Stop Shop, the only store in McLean.
Residents of McLean stop into the Elm Tree Inn, the only restaurant & tavern in town.
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Community gatherings at the McLean Fire Station
The McLean Fire Station stands next to McLean’s 5 Stop Shop, another point in the hamlet’s 5-corner town center. “The fire station being positioned there lets people know they’re safe,” Ludgate says, adding that the hamlet’s small size lends to its safe feel. “We keep an eye out for each other and always know what’s going on.”
Apart from responding to emergencies, the volunteer-based group also hosts various community events. Sunday breakfast buffets and regular chicken and BBQ dinners invite neighbors to gather over a stacked plate of pancakes or a leg of pork. McLean’s most anticipated event is the station’s McLean Happenin’ in the Hamlet, a family-friendly weekend of food and entertainment. Held every summer, the event kicks off with a car and motorcycle show and continues into the weekend with a cornhole tournament, scavenger hunt and kids' games. Children visit with farm animals and jump in bounce houses, and food trucks provide tasty options for the festivities.
A few times a year, public events are held at the McLean Fire Station.
McLean does also have a small post office, however it doesn't open until 12:35pm.
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From charming cottages to large foursquare home styles
A mix of humble homes with classic architecture styles line the few streets of McLean, situated on modest properties split by towering trees for added privacy. The charming curb appeal of one-and-a-half-storied cottages and farmhouse styles along McLean Road contrast the larger, more traditional Colonial Revival and Foursquare examples found on Gulf Hill Road. Smaller split-level and Cape Cod homes round out the single-family styles in McLean. Prices may range from $175,000 for a fixer-upper cottage to $237,000 for a stately Foursquare. A community of mobile manufactured homes sits off Fall Creek Road, with a collection of single and doublewide dwellings ranging between $50,000 and $75,000.
Along the many rural roads of McLean you can find charming farmhouses everywhere.
Many homes in McLean come with many acres of land, and some are isolated on top of hills.
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Strong academics in Dryden School District
McLean students start their education at the centrally located Cassavant Elementary School, which earns a B-minus Niche score. They then advance to Dryden Elementary School and Dryden Middle School, both of which receive C overall grades. At B-rated Dryden High School, students benefit from a 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio and strong athletic and arts programs. McLean is also located near the Cornell University and Ithaca College campuses.
Dryden Elementary School looks pretty at Sunset.
Dryden High School is home to Volante Field and the Dryden Lions team.
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The nature preserves of the Finger Lakes region
Cradled within the lush Finger Lakes region of central New York, McLean is a stone’s throw away from verdant nature preserves and recreational spaces. Though only 11 acres, the Thurber Nature Preserve teems with local flora unique to the Finger Lakes region. Ferns carpet the forest floor, shaded by the increasingly rare American yew trees that stand amongst the preserve’s other hardwoods. Locals may even catch a glimpse of white-tailed deer along the 0.5-mile trail that leads through the forest. Further south, the O.D. von Engeln Preserve provides additional trails that snake through boggy wetlands, pine forests and eskers – or riverbeds that once ran through glaciers. Stretching 1.75 miles, the trail includes stone steps and a slatted-wood boardwalk over the marsh, taking hikers and bird watchers between dense ferns and patches of moss. Longer trails are available to hike at the Lime Hollow Nature Center only 2.4 miles north on McLean Road. The center features over 12 miles of pathways within its 594-acre tract. Its educational center provides programs, including a Forest Preschool, summer camps and a monthly natural and cultural history series.
Active McLean residents may head to the Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex in neighboring Cortland. The complex features lighted baseball diamonds and a playground. It hosts youth and adult programs such as softball and baseball leagues. Avid golfers rejoice in being less than three miles away from Elm Tree Golf Course and Stonehedges Golf Course.
The O.D. von Engeln Preserve in McLean provides trails that snake through boggy wetlands.
The Dryden Rail Trail near McLean provides a walking and biking path 14 miles long.
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One thoroughfare, many names
McLean Road is the main thoroughfare through McLean. It turns into School Street and Fall Creek Road and eventually funnels into Route 366 in Freeville, 4 miles south. The hamlet sits about 16 miles from Ithaca and only 7 miles from Cortland. Residents are car-dependent, as McLean lacks public transportation. Frequent flyers only have a 21-minute commute to the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, which is 12 miles away.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Dryden Lake Park
Transit
Airport
Ithaca Tompkins International
21 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
McLean
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in McLean, Virgil sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in McLean, Virgil over the last 12 months is $259,530, up 87% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$257,000
Median Single Family Price
$290,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$126
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median List Price
$255,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
71%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
29
Median Year Built
1880
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,003
On par with the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
37,026
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Terri Starr,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
501
Median Age
40
Population under 18
21.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$65,806
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$71,128
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.6%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
19.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.9%
% Population in Labor Force
66.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
62''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
22/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
8/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
