Ashley honors its coal mining past as a quiet suburb near Wilkes-Barre
Once a bustling industrial town, Ashley is now a quiet borough of Northeastern Pennsylvania. “Ashley is a former coal mining town, and the community is very loyal to the process of maintaining that history,” says Elbros Samkough, a Realtor with Century 21 Signature Properties and a lifelong resident of Luzerne County. Ashley’s rich history is on display at Miner’s Memorial Park, and while its Main Street isn’t as busy as it once was, a few local businesses continue to serve residents today. The borough is surrounded by Hanover Township and is just south of Wilkes-Barre, although it maintains a distinct identity alongside its central location. “Ashley residents tend to view themselves as their own separate entity, and there’s a lot of pride around it,” Samkough says. Comparatively low home prices and nearby access to Interstate 81, paired with the borough’s proximity to Wilkes-Barre and major area employers, mean that while residents here can embrace their independent identity, they aren’t too far removed from the rest of northern Pennsylvania. Once a bustling industrial town, Ashley is now a quiet borough of Northeastern Pennsylvania. “Ashley is a former coal mining town, and the community is very loyal to the process of maintaining that history,” says Elbros Samkough, a Realtor with Century 21 Signature Properties and a lifelong resident of Luzerne County. Ashley’s rich history is on display at Miner’s Memorial Park, and while its Main Street isn’t as busy as it once was, a few local businesses continue to serve residents today. The borough is surrounded by Hanover Township and is just south of Wilkes-Barre, although it maintains a distinct identity alongside its central location. “Ashley residents tend to view themselves as their own separate entity, and there’s a lot of pride around it,” Samkough says.
Residential borough where older homes include workers cottages
Most of the borough’s homes were built throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries to accommodate its growing workforce. Residential streets feature a mix of workers cottages and American Foursquares, some of which showcase different-colored vinyl siding or gambrel roofing that reflects Dutch Colonial influences. Twin homes are also common, and there are a few bi-level and ranch-style homes scattered throughout the borough. Single-family homes rarely go on the market in Ashley. Only two single-family homes sold in recent years, with prices ranging from nearly $40,000 for 1,400 square feet to around $170,000 for an 1,800 square foot home. The median price for single-family homes is just under $168,000, which is significantly below both the state and national medians. Ashley also has several multi-family properties that typically sell for about $100,000 to $250,000.
Access to highways, public transportation and major business parks
Residents can access major thoroughfares that connect them to the greater Luzerne County area and beyond. Interstate 81 passes through the borough’s eastern half and offers a direct route to Scranton, about 22 miles away. Nearly 8 miles of I-81 will be reconstructed as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Ashley to Arena project, which is expected to impact homeowners on Hill Street with construction beginning in 2028.
Luzerne County Transportation Authority provides local bus service, with several stops on South Main Street. The bus brings riders to downtown Wilkes-Barre, among other destinations. For flights, Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is around 13 miles from the borough. The closest hospital, Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, is about 5 miles away. Ashley is just north of two business parks: Hanover Industrial Estates and Hanover Crossings. The business parks are home to various manufacturing, life sciences and distribution companies, including notable employers such as Amazon, Adidas and Patagonia.
Park upgrades reflect the borough’s history and sense of pride
The borough’s industrial history is on display at Miners Memorial Park, a small green space next to the former Ashley Huber Breaker Historical Site. The breaker was demolished in 2014, and the company in charge of its demolition was charged with hazardous materials violations in 2023 after they failed to properly remove asbestos and other waste from the property. Although the breaker is gone, the Huber Breaker Preservation Society is working to expand Miners Memorial Park and raise awareness about its importance. The project is ongoing as of mid-2025 and includes plans to add walking trails, benches, educational kiosks and a multi-media building to the park.
In early 2025, the borough received a $125,000 grant to continue improvements at Ashley Borough Centennial Park. The park, which is on South Main Street, will be rebuilt to include a new playground, basketball courts and picnic tables. Renovations are ongoing as of mid-2025, and the project does not yet have an expected completion date. In the meantime, residents can head to Bobby Strish Memorial Park and access ballfields, basketball courts and a playground.
The community is part of the Hanover Area School District
Students here can attend schools within the Hanover Area School District, which has four elementary schools serving prekindergarten through sixth grade. Lynwood Elementary School earns a C-minus from Niche, while Hanover Green Elementary School receives a B. Lee Park Elementary School and Memorial Elementary School both receive a C. In 2024, the school district announced plans to consolidate its four elementary schools into one new building, which is expected to open in early 2027. Older students can attend Hanover Area Junior/Senior High School, which earns a C-plus and allows high schoolers to earn college credit through Advanced Placement courses.
Main Street offers longtime favorites near downtown Wilkes-Barre
There are a handful of shops and restaurants on Main Street. Residents can pick up the essentials at Family Dollar and S & J Grocery & Deli. Kelsey’s is a family-owned restaurant that’s been part of the community for nearly 30 years. It's known for its casual atmosphere and outdoor patio, where residents can sip craft beer, enjoy pub grub and chat with neighbors. Other favorites include The Pour House, a local dive bar, and Pizza Bella, which serves up classic and creative pies.
Ashley is within 5 miles of several grocery stores, including Aldi, Wegmans and Sam’s Club. There are more local shops and restaurants in downtown Wilkes-Barre, less than 5 miles from the borough.
The Ashley Fire Department brings events to the borough
The Ashley Fire Department hosts an annual Fireman’s Bazaar for the community. It’s typically held at Firemen’s Memorial Park and features food, lawn games and basket raffles to raise money for the department. The fire department also brings residents together with seasonal festivities. “There’s been an effort in reviving the events over the last few years,” Samkough says. Previous events include trunk-or-treats to celebrate Halloween and festive tree-lighting ceremonies to kick off the holiday season.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
