Barry offers rolling farmland and mountain views in Schuylkill County
Barry is a rural community whose two-lane roads lead past serene croplands and pastures where horses, cows and other farm animals graze among the mountainous countryside. “Barry Township is moving closer to the agricultural part of the county,” says Nada Laguna, a Realtor with EveryHome Realtors who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. “It’s really just homes on parcels of farmland.” The tranquil township is home to fewer than 1,000 people who live on spacious lots with panoramic views of the distant Broad Mountain. Barry also boasts an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4. While residents enjoy a quiet lifestyle in a rural setting, they’re about 5 miles from Interstate 81 and within reach of nearby cities such as Pottsville, less than 20 miles away.
A wide range of homes with space, scenic views and rural charm
A variety of architectural styles complement Barry’s verdant landscapes. Farmhouse, raised ranch and ranch-style homes sit along Deep Creek Road, one of the township’s major thoroughfares. Bi-level and Cape Cod-style homes are also common, and there are some custom-built properties farther off the main road. Most properties have large lots with up to several acres of land, and some offer enough acreage for residents to have a small homestead with crops and farm animals.
In the township’s southeastern corner, Beurys Lake is an unincorporated community surrounding the private Moon Lake . “That area has a lot of small, rustic cabins,” Laguna says. “You can buy into the HOA there if you want to use the amenities, which are mostly fishing and kayaking on the lake.” Homes rarely come on the market in Barry. Just four homes sold in 2024, with prices ranging from $60,000 for a property needing repairs to $300,000 for a sprawling ranch-style home. The median sales price for single-family homes is just over $275,000, and when homes are for sale, they sell after an average of about two months on the market.
Tri-Valley schools have small class sizes, with a focus on agriculture
The township is part of the Tri-Valley School District, which earns an overall grade of C-minus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. The district contains three schools: Mahantongo Elementary School, Hegins-Hubley Elementary School and Tri-Valley Junior-Senior High School. Depending on registration numbers and class size projections for each given school year, the district may assign students in kindergarten through sixth grade to attend either of the two elementary schools. Those in seventh through 12th grade can attend Tri-Valley Junior-Senior High School. All three schools receive a C from Niche. The school district honors its agricultural roots with a robust agricultural science curriculum that allows high schoolers to explore the fields of animal, plant and environmental sciences.
Barry has a park and sports fields near more outdoor attractions
A small green space in the township’s center features a swing set, playground and ball field. Barry is also home to the Forrest L Shade Soccer Complex, which offers three outdoor soccer fields and a basketball court. Residents can head to Bolich Road and hike or bike along the half-mile-long Senator James J. Rhoades Nature Trail, a paved stone path close to the protected Bolich Wetlands Project. On Lincoln Road, hikers can access a parking lot for the Taylorsville Tract of the Weiser State Forest and explore nature trails leading up Mahantango Mountain. Other nearby opportunities for outdoor recreation include hunting at State Game Lands No. 132, less than 10 miles away, and four-wheeling at Rausch Creek Off-Road Park, about 15 miles from the township.
Volunteer fire departments host social events and celebrations
Multiple volunteer fire departments serve the township, including the nearby Lavelle Volunteer Fire Company. It’s just over 6 miles away and hosts various community events throughout the year. Previous festivities have included food truck nights and fish fries, as well as seasonal celebrations like an Easter egg hunt and a children’s Christmas party with an appearance from Santa Claus himself.Multiple volunteer fire departments serve the township, including the nearby Lavelle Volunteer Fire Company. It’s just over 6 miles away and hosts various community events throughout the year. Previous festivities have included food truck nights and fish fries, as well as seasonal celebrations like an Easter egg hunt and a children’s Christmas party with an appearance from Santa Claus himself.
Shops and restaurants are a short drive away in Hegins Township
Places of worship along Deep Creek Road include Barry Salem United Methodist Church, Ashland Church of Christ Christian Union and St. John’s Kimmel’s Church. Residents typically head west to neighboring Hegins Township, less than a 10-mile drive away, for most of their shopping and dining. There, stores like Redner’s Warehouse Markets and Dollar General sell the essentials, while Valley Country Meats offers a local butcher shop with fresh cuts. Local flavors range from sweet sauce pizzas at Prima Pizzeria to smash burgers at Mitchell’s Bar & Grill, a neighborhood hangout with a laid-back atmosphere. When it’s time to run other errands, Walmart and Home Depot are within 20 miles of Barry.
Rural roads connect Barry to nearby highways and major cities
Barry lacks public transportation and is heavily car-dependent. Pennsylvania Route 901 winds through its eastern half and leads about 5 miles southeast to Interstate 81. The interstate connects residents to bigger cities like Harrisburg, just over 50 miles away, and Scranton, about 75 miles from the township. Residents can also follow PA 901 into Pottsville, less than a 20-mile drive away. For flights, Harrisburg International Airport, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport are all within 70 miles of Barry. St. Luke’s University Hospital Miners Campus is just over a 30-mile drive away.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
