Akron expands from Main Street charm to Amish farmland
Akron was first settled in 1724 and was officially incorporated as a borough in 1895. Back then, this northeast Lancaster County community started to grow after the arrival of a railroad, which has since been transformed into a public rail trail. Main Street offers a glimpse into the borough’s past with century-old homes and a building that once housed Miller Hess Shoe Company, which was a big employer for much of the 20th century. Homes get newer and newer as Akron expands toward the neighboring borough of Ephrata and the abundant farmland of Lancaster County’s Amish Country.
From early 1900s homes to newer builds
Most homes on and close to Main Street were built in the early 1900s. Colonial Revival architecture is very common for these single-family and twin homes, which range from around $250,000 to $360,000. Subdivisions branch out from there, featuring ranch-style and split-level homes built in the mid-to-late 20th century, selling for $275,000 to $550,000. Modern developments offer New Traditional houses built in the 2020s on large hilly yards, ranging from $420,000 to $660,000. Twins and townhouses around Akron are also available for about $225,000 to $350,000. Homebuyers can find manufactured homes as well, which sell for around $50,000 to $190,000.
Reiff's Farm Market and a few other locally owned businesses
While locals typically head to Ephrata to shop and dine out, there are a few stores and restaurants around town in Akron. Reiff’s Farm Market & Greenhouse has been a community staple since 1988. “There aren’t a lot of options in Akron, but Reiff’s is a great farm market where you can get local produce and homemade baked goods, so that’s fairly well-known in the area,” says Wendy Stauffer, a Realtor with Kingsway Realty who has been selling homes in the region for more than 30 years. For more grocery options, Dutch-Way Farm Market in Ephrata is the go-to option. It’s connected to Good’s Store, a popular regional department store. Dining options are limited in Akron, but locals can enjoy pasta and pizza at Nonna Rosa Traditional Italian Kitchen or order a sweet treat at W Donuts. Martin’s Pretzel Bakery has been in business since the 1930s, serves homemade pretzels and offers tours so visitors can see how the pretzels get made.
Roland Memorial Park and a rail trail
Loyd H. Roland Memorial Park offers 70 acres of nature and outdoor activities. It features a wooden castlelike playground and ample green space with a pond. The pond and dense woods serve as obstacles for the park's disc golf course. There are several other athletic facilities as well, including volleyball, tennis and basketball courts, and baseball fields. The 7.5-mile Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail runs through Akron, following the old Reading & Colombia Railroad bed. “Some of it is paved, and then it goes into hard gravel when it goes through farmland as you get out to the Warwick,” Stauffer says.
Highly rated schools in Akron and Ephrata
Students may attend Akron Elementary School, which receives a B grade from Niche. They’ll go on to B-graded Ephrata Intermediate School, then Ephrata High School, graded a B-plus. The high school offers a Pathways program, which allows students to take classes that best align with their skills and interests, preparing them for college studies or employment out of high school.
The Ephrata Fair and Akron New Year's Eve Shoe Drop
Locals will head to Ephrata to celebrate community events. One of the most popular events is the Ephrata Fair, which is considered the largest street fair in Pennsylvania. “The Ephrata Fair is a big draw,” Stauffer says. “They close down Main Street for about a week and have rides, a parade and things like that.” The fair has been an annual tradition since 1919, and also features various agriculture contests, a tractor pull and an antique farm tractor show.
To step into the new year, Akron holds the New Year’s Eve Shoe Drop. This annual tradition honors Akron’s history in shoemaking by dropping a large purple and gold shoe when the clock strikes midnight. Locals also donate new shoes to local charities.
Nearby highways and public buses for getting around Lancaster County
State Route 272 runs through Akron, leading 2 miles to both U.S. 222 and U.S. 322. Commuters might drive about 10 miles to Lancaster or 25 miles to Reading. Red Rose Transit Authority serves Akron. Buses run along state Route 272 and go to Lancaster. Harrisburg, Allentown and Philadelphia are within 50 to 70 miles, each with an international airport.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
