Auburn offers a small borough with highway access nearby
Auburn is a quaint borough home to fewer than 700 people. The community’s motto is “Built One Brick at a Time,” and a red-brick sidewalk along its main street brings that saying to life as it leads past charming Victorian-era homes. “Auburn has a cute, small-town feel,” says Nada Laguna, a Realtor with EveryHome Realty and a Schuylkill County native. “It’s in the southern part of the county, which is a bit more agricultural, but the borough itself is a very desirable area location-wise.” While Auburn feels a bit secluded in its quiet residential streets and patches of open farmland, it’s near major highways like Pennsylvania Route 61 and Interstate 78. These thoroughfares connect residents to the rest of the Schuylkill County area and beyond, allowing them to live in a tranquil community without sacrificing highway access or proximity to bigger cities.
A blend of single-family houses and twin homes with 19th-century flair
Auburn offers a wide range of housing styles and options. Some of its oldest homes are on Market Street and were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “There’s some nice architecture on that main street. A lot of the homes have a Victorian feel going for them,” Laguna says. These Market Street properties range from detached single-family homes to semi-attached twin homes. Common finds include modest Victorian-style cottages with steeply pitched roofs. Traditional colonial-style homes and bungalow-inspired builds are also common throughout the borough. Prices typically range from around $130,000 for semi-detached twin homes to $230,000 for detached single-family homes with recent renovations. Auburn’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
B-rated public schools in the Blue Mountain School District
Auburn Memorial Park is a community green space with two playgrounds, ball fields, a basketball court and a picnic pavilion. It’s also a destination for community events, including live concerts in the summer. Residents are less than a mile from the Auburn Trailhead for the John B. Bartram section of the Schuylkill River Trail. This section of the crushed stone trail extends nearly 10 miles and is a popular spot for hikers, bikers and those looking to access the nearby Appalachian National Scenic Trail (the A.T.). The two trails intersect outside of Port Clinton, and the A.T. also passes through State Game Lands 110, a hunting destination less than 15 miles from Auburn. The borough is just south of the Auburn Desilting Basin, which has a public boat dock where canoers, kayakers and fishermen can access the water.
A community park, access to the Schuylkill River Trail and more
Auburn Memorial Park is a community green space with two playgrounds, ball fields, a basketball court and a picnic pavilion. It’s also a destination for community events, including live concerts in the summer. Residents are less than a mile from the Auburn Trailhead for the John B. Bartram section of the Schuylkill River Trail. This section of the crushed stone trail extends nearly 10 miles and is a popular spot for hikers, bikers and those looking to access the nearby Appalachian National Scenic Trail (the A.T.). The two trails intersect outside of Port Clinton, and the A.T. also passes through State Game Lands 110, a hunting destination less than 15 miles from Auburn. The borough is just south of the Auburn Desilting Basin, which has a public boat dock where canoers, kayakers and fishermen can access the water.
Most shops and restaurants are a short drive away on Route 61
A handful of businesses serve Ashland. Local salons include Alsphach Hair Styles, while Rio Casa is the community’s only restaurant. The eatery is known for its traditional Mexican dishes and vibrant yellow exterior that stands out among the borough’s residential streets. Auburn also has several houses of worship, including St. John’s Lutheran & United Church of Christ and Auburn Church of God.
Residents are less than a mile from Dollar General for the essentials. More big-box stores are about an 8-mile drive away along Pennsylvania Route 61. The commercial corridor features stores such as Walmart, Lowe’s, Aldi and Cabela’s. It also has a handful of chain restaurants, including Dunkin’, Red Robin, Wendy’s and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.
Auburn residents rely on cars with proximity to Interstate 78
Auburn lacks public transportation, and residents typically rely on their own cars to get around. Market Street is the borough’s main thoroughfare, and it leads about 3 miles east to Pennsylvania Route 61. “Route 61 zooms you right down to I-78, which will take you to Allentown and New York,” Laguna says. I-78 is less than a 10-mile drive away from Auburn, and it leads 40 miles east to Allentown and around 130 miles east to New York. Closer to home, residents are within 15 miles of Pottsville and just over 30 miles from Reading. For flights, Lehigh Valley International Airport is about a 40-mile drive away. Residents are about 30 miles from Reading Hospital, which is an accredited Level I Trauma Center.
Festivities at the local fire department and Veterans hall
The Auburn Fire Company hosts various community events. Popular festivities range from community dinners and bingo nights to seasonal celebrations like lunch with Santa Claus. At the Auburn VFW Post 3975, local veterans and their guests can attend happy hours, live concerts and trivia games.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
