A quiet, rural life in Adams Township
Amid wooded hills and winding streams, Adams Township offers a quiet rural life in Cambria County, a former giant of the coal and steel industry. Residents are drawn to the township for the slower pace and the kind of camaraderie that brings neighbors together at football games and grassroots community events. "Whenever there is a home football game, it's hard to find a place to park," says Scott Morris, a Realtor with Century 21 All Service who has nearly 30 years of experience. "And local churches always have something going on." The nearest large city is Johnstown, around 10 miles away. Pittsburgh is within 100 miles from the township, or less than a 2-hour drive.
Historic homes on acres offering solitude
Most homes dot the countryside, linked by winding stretches of road — sometimes with a neighbor nearby, sometimes with acres of solitude. However, a few traditional subdivisions built off main roads offer a different rhythm of life. Morris says the oldest properties are workman duplexes dating back to the county's mining and steel heyday, thoughtfully converted into single-family residences. Ranch styles, split levels, old-school farmhouses with metal roofs, bungalows and newer two-story residences have a foothold here. Modest starter homes and fixer-uppers are often priced between $30,000 and $100,000. Most properties range from $125,000 to $360,000.
A school district that embraces online learning and self-paced study
Students attend the highly regarded Forest Hills School District. Forest Hills Elementary covers preschool through sixth grade and earns a B on Niche. Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School, educating grades 7 through 12, earns a C plus. The Forest Hills Academy of Digital Learning offers a flexible education option for all grade levels where students can study fully or partially online. Bishop McCort Catholic Academy, which encompasses an elementary and high school, is a private catholic option. The University of Pittsburgh and Penn Highlands Community College are less than 10 miles away.
Recreational parks with nods to local history
The Carriage Road Nature Trail passes through town, offering a scenic walk along a local river. Just beyond town is 1889 Park, a favorite spot for camping that features various trails, including an exercise path with hurdles, monkey bars and stretching bars. Families appreciate the children's playgrounds and sports facilities, including a skating rink and ball fields. The park also has a coal miners' memorial featuring vintage coal hauling cars and a nature center. "The school will have little tours over there and talk about local animals," Morris says. State game lands are just outside town for hunting. "And you're not far from Lake Raystown. A lot of people go boating out there," Morris says. The lake is within an hour-and-a-half drive.
Local spots to grab comfort food and some chains, like Sheetz
Shopping and dining in Adams Township are centered around Forest Hills Drive, the main artery through town, and up north along Locust Street. Locally beloved spots range from Smiley's Place to Morris' Tavern & Restaurant and the Homestead Inn. Em's Subs, founded over 70 years ago to feed steel workers, now boasts five locations. The township's mix is rounded out by family-owned pizzerias and chains like Subway, providing various options. Shops include Dollar General, Sheetz, a hardware store and auto shops. Morris says locals head into Johnstown, around 10 miles away, for more options — including Aldi for groceries.
The town's annual Labor Day celebration draws a crowd
One of Adams Township's most beloved traditions is the annual Forest Hills Labor Day Weekend Festival, a community celebration hosted by the volunteer fire department for over 35 years. The event features live music, vendors and food at the firehall and a grand fireworks display.
A major route and a nearby Amtrak station support commuting
U.S. Route 219 and scenic country roads connect travelers onward to Johnstown and beyond. The Amtrak at Johnstown Station, roughly 10 miles away, is an option for longer trips.
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Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
