Glenmont is a hamlet located in the eastern part of the town of Bethlehem in east central New York. Bethlehem has a population of 32,900 residents and, in addition to Glenmont, includes the hamlets of Delmar, Elsmere, North Bethlehem, Selkirk and Slingerlands. It is situated just a few miles south of the city of Albany and Route 9W passes right through Bethlehem (which was named after the biblical place.) The hamlet of Glenmont is considered a bedroom community of the Albany metropolitan area and is comprised of mostly two-story homes and above average income families. It is also home to several new shopping centers which contain a wide variety of restaurants and stores.
It is believed that when Henry Hudson first sailed up the river that would eventually be named for him, he landed at what is now the town of Bethlehem. The spot where he is presumed to have landed is now the site of the Henry Hudson Park. A town was established at present day Glenmont (Bethlehem) in 1793 from the Town of Watervliet. In 1832, part of the town was used to form the Town of New Scotland. In the mid 1800s the Delaware and Hudson railroad began service into the hamlet then called Adamsville, which was later renamed the hamlet of Delmar. Today, Delmar has become the most populated hamlet of Bethlehem and its Delaware Avenue is the site of the present day town hall, police station, justice court and public library, as well as numerous businesses. The railroad discontinued passenger service in the 1960s and its tracks started being removed in the year 2000 with the last of the track removed in 2005. Bethlehem has continued to grow and is today considered to be an affluent suburb of the city of Albany. The town has an outstanding library and school system, numerous cultural groups, a thriving business climate and a location that offers convenient access to a wide range of outdoor and indoor recreational activities. Glenmont, and all of the hamlets of Bethlehem, offer a small town atmosphere within a modern community governed by a Town Board and administered by a town supervisor. Money Magazine has ranked Bethlehem 22nd in its top 25 Great American Towns as a place where you would want to raise your children and celebrate life's milstones. The magazine cited the town's low crime rate, low commute time, high scores in education and access to arts and leisure activities.
Glenmont is situated on the west bank of the Hudson River. The nearby Adirondack, Catskill and Berkshire Mountains offers lots of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, climbing and skiing. The Hudson River, along with Lake Placid and Lake George are popular among boaters and other water sport enthusiasts. Glenmont is just a short drive to the capital city of Albany, which offers year round special events, festivals, concerts, museums, historical sites, fine dining and great shopping malls. Also, Glenmont's convenient location at the crossroads of the Northeast also puts it within easy access to New York City, Boston and Montreal which are just hours away by rail or car.