On the northern edge of the Allegheny Mountains, Barr Township is a rural community with rolling hills, farmland and historic villages. The town, created in 1872, relied on lumbering and farming before finding coal deposits beneath the area. Several villages, including Nicktown and Marstellar, rapidly developed in the early 1900s. The largest was Colver, which had over 300 buildings and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Today, nearly all coal operations in the area have closed, and the township has reverted to a predominantly farming community with a population of just over 2,000. “It’s more of a private, small-town feel. But once you’re ingrained in the community, it’s like you’ve lived there your whole life,” says Mary Kay Barton, a Realtor with Stultz Real Estate Agency, who’s been selling homes in the area for over a decade.
The majority of Barr is scenic farmland with a few quaint towns dotted around.
Cows aren't the only residents, who enjoy the relaxing farmlands of Barr.
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Miniature trains and hayrides at Duman Lake County Park
At Duman Lake County Park, there are several miles of wooded trails, a playground, picnic pavilion, horseshoe and volleyball courts. During the weekends from May through September, the park offers a miniature train and hayrides. Locals also come to the lake to fish for trout. Just north of town, Prince Gallitzin State Park is a 6,200-acre recreation space with beach access, campgrounds and over 10 miles of hiking trails. The park also has a 1,600-acre man-made lake with boat launches and a marina. “There’s also rails to trails nearby, which are abandoned train lines that have been converted to hiking trails,” adds Barton. Hikers can connect to the Ghost Town Trail, a 50-mile path through Cambria County, from the trail at Duman Lake County Park. For indoor activities, the North Central Recreation Center in Ebensburg has year-round ice skating.
Take a walk or jog on many of the paths and trails at Duman Lake County Park.
The Ghost Town Trail is a 49-mile walking trail from Blacklick to Ebensburg, PA.
Prince Gallitzin State Park, is a great spot for picnics and swimming in the lake.
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Ranch-style homes starting in the $150,000s
Homebuyers can find three- to five-bedroom ranch-style and colonial homes from the early to late 1900s. Houses in villages like Nicktown have moderately sized yards, while properties along the town’s country roads can sit on over 10-acre lots. Many homes in the area also come with attached or detached garages. Houses typically sell for $150,000 to $400,000.
There are plenty of cozy ranch style homes available for those hoping to relocate to Barr.
Residents of Barr enjoy a relaxing rural lifestyle with homes boasting spacious lawns.
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Central Cambria High Vo-Tech program
Students may start at Jackson Elementary, which earns a B from Niche, for kindergarten through second grade, before going to Cambria Elementary, which has a B-minus, for third through fifth grade. Central Cambria Middle gets a C-plus, while Central Cambria High also receives a C-plus and is partnered with the Admiral Peary Vo-Tech School to provide experience in careers like welding and diesel mechanics.
Cambria Elementary School, hosts students from kindergarten to second grade and received a B-minus score from Niche.
Growing students attend Central Cambria Middle School which has a C-plus rating from Niche.
Central Cambria High School educates the older students of Barr Township and received a C-plus from Niche.
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Close to U.S. Route 219
The town’s rural streetscape makes it car-dependent. Commuters can take U.S. Route 219, which runs from Rich Creek, Virginia to West Seneca, New York, to get to nearby Ebensburg. Johnstown is 20 miles south, and Pittsburgh is just over 60 miles west. Pittsburgh International is the closest airport, which is 75 miles away.
Local staples like Blue Goose Inn
Along Blue Goose Road, Blue Goose Inn has been serving American favorites for nearly 30 years. In Nicktown, St Nicholas Hotel is a local pizza spot that occupies one of the village’s oldest buildings. Just west of town, there’s a Dollar General for essentials and Gillo Brothers, a local market with meats and frozen goods. In Northern Cambria, there’s also Ken's BiLo Foods and a Giant Eagle Supermarket. “You can get your groceries in Northern Cambria, but Ebensburg and Johnstown are going to be the main shopping areas here,” says Barton.
Blue Goose Inn is a popular destination for dinner and drinks.
Barr residents can stop in at the Dollar General in Nicktown for essentials.
The property is located in the northwestern part of Cambria County. The property is a nicely shaped 45.649-acre parcel lying quietly outside the small town of Northern Cambria. Travel is very convenient with Route 219 less than one mile to the east. There is a unique mix of woods, weeds and brush, with a nice lay sloping to the east. There are areas on the property that will allow some great
Barr Township. 3 bedroom Cape cod house on town lot. Modern kitchen with appliances. Huge living room. Oil HW heat. Downstairs bath. Sunporch. Attic. Door bell. Deck. Public water. OWNER WILL FINANCE WITH $8,000. DOWN AND A $700. A MONTH PAYMENT. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. Call Ethel Solinski 814-948-5191 or email esolinski@comcast.net
Barr Township. 3 bedroom 2 story house on .9-+ acre. Modern kitchen with stove and fridge. 2 baths. Living room. Oil HW heat. Covered patio. Covered deck. Vinyl siding. Updated windows and wiring. Newer furnace. Huge 2 car garage with cement floor. Some woods. Public water and Sewer. Sewer updated. Deck newly painted. Call Ethel Solinski 814-948-5191 esolinski@comcast.net
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