Greencastle has historic charm and a growing young crowd
A quaint borough with a historic presence, Greencastle is experiencing a sort of renaissance as the area’s demographics shift. “It’s currently a bit of an older crowd, but we’re seeing a lot of young families coming in, seeking out the school district,” says Jeremy Burkholder, a local Realtor with JAK Real Estate who was born and raised in Franklin County. The south-central Pennsylvania town was touched by many different settlers, and their influences still shape the community. An environmental center is named in honor of the Iroquois, the original Indigenous peoples who inhabited the area; downtown pubs highlight the area’s Irish heritage and war memorabilia reflect Greencastle’s occupation by Confederate forces during the Civil War . However, the borough wouldn’t have grown to its 4,250-resident population today if it hadn’t been for the Industrial Revolution; it was during the latter half of the 19th century that Greencastle’s primary economic engine changed from agriculture to manufacturing. And while agriculture remained an important part of life here, the town owes its development primarily to the growth of industries in the area.
Several landmarks, including the Federal-style Mitchell-Shook House, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Commuters can access the surrounding cities via Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11, both of which zip through the community. “You can get to Hagerstown and Frederick pretty quickly,” Burkholder says. “And Washington, D.C., isn’t too far thanks to these major routes.” The interstate allows for a 12-mile drive to Hagerstown, Maryland, and an 85-mile drive to Washington, D.C.
Highly-rated Greencastle-Antrim schools and learning center
Students here are served by the Greencastle-Antrim School District, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche. Learners can attend kindergarten through second grade at Greencastle-Antrim Primary School and third through fifth grade at Greencastle-Antrim Elementary School, both of which receive a B. Students can progress to Greencastle-Antrim Middle School and then Greencastle-Antrim Senior High School, which both hold a B-plus. The four schools share the Tayamentasachta Environmental Center, a renovated farm and barn used for hands-on learning experiences. The center was named for a spring that was named Tayamentasachta by the town’s former Indigenous peoples. The word means “never-ending water” in Iroquoian.
Local pubs and boutiques on Antrim Way and Baltimore Street
Greencastle is home to a small dining scene, with locally favored eateries situated around the intersection of Antrim Way and Baltimore Street. John Allison Public House serves American pub food, and across the street, Mikie’s offers ice cream and niche gifts. In the Greencastle Historic District, Victorian- and Federal-style establishments line the street. B Street is a corner restaurant and pub popular for steak and cold beer. “The small downtown area has a nice little shopping section with boutique stores,” Burkholder says. “And Scoops is a trendy little ice cream place that recently opened.” Residents have options for groceries, too, from Weis Markets and Martin’s to Glenwood Foods, an expansive supermarket.
Greencastle features ranch-style homes and Colonial Revivals
Buyers interested in purchasing a home in Greencastle can choose from varying styles. Wide residential roads, some lined with sidewalks, feature ranch-styles and raised ranch-styles. Many homes feature detached garages and sit on more than a quarter-acre lot. Sizes can range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, and price tags generally run from $215,000 to $380,000. Around Greencastle’s historic district, buyers can find older Foursquares built in the early 1900s, some split into two units and others maintained as single-family homes; these houses typically offer five bedrooms and are priced from $325,000 to $425,000. In the northwest section of town, there’s a desirable subdivision with Colonial Revivals and spacious rambling ranch styles, many with attached multi-car garages and in-ground pools. These larger 2,500- to 5,000-square-foot properties can start around $325,000 and prices can go up to about $650,000.
Triennial Old Home Week reconnects community members
Every three years, the community gathers downtown to celebrate Old Home Week. The tradition started in 1902 as a small social gathering, and today, Greencastle residents use this time to reconnect, reminisce and tour some of the town’s historic homes. Depending on sponsors, the triennial event may feature a parade, live music and entertainment, including an Old Timers Baseball Game.
Playgrounds, trails and other family-friendly green spaces
Families in Greencastle can get fresh air at Jerome King Playground, a 15-acre park with play equipment, athletic fields, and tennis and basketball courts. On the town’s south side, Antrim Township Park offers hiking trails that lead over the historic Martins Mill Bridge, built in 1849 as the largest lattice truss bridge in the state. The park also features a disc golf course and athletic fields. When the weather isn’t in their favor, residents can head to Lilan S. Besore Memorial Library, which recently underwent renovations for energy-efficient lighting. And the Alison-Antrim Museum invites visitors to explore the area’s local history. Patrons can peruse the vintage artifacts throughout the former Foursquare home and explore rotating exhibits in the barn on-site.
Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 serve the car-dependent town
The community is car-dependent, as no public bus or train services the area. Both Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 run north-south through Greencastle. Hagerstown Regional Airport is 7 miles south of town, offering direct flights to Orlando, St. Petersburg and Myrtle Beach through Allegiant Air. For more travel options, Harrisburg International Airport is 75 miles northeast.
Medical needs and crime data in Greencastle
Select medical needs can be met at John L. Grove Medical Center, located on Greencastle’s east side. The office park includes dental, eye, family medicine and lab services. For more comprehensive medical services – including emergency care – WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital is about 10 miles east.
According to data submitted to the FBI, Greencastle has a significantly lower crime rate than both the state and national averages.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
