Benner Township, a rural community 8 miles from State College, was established in 1853 and named for Gen. Philip Benner, a Revolutionary War veteran who founded Rock Ironworks in the area. An ore-washing plant was later stationed at Benner Commerce Park within the township. Though iron production is no longer an industry in the area, many residents have relatives who worked at the plant or can trace their lineage back to its founder. “There are a lot of Benners here,” says Adam Clampet, a local who's the founding farmer of Crops for Christ, an organization offering free, fresh produce to Benner residents. "Most people have been here for generations.” With its proximity to Penn State University, Benner has expanded, with hotels and new chain restaurants opening in the area. “People move to Benner because they have a job at the university,” Clampet says. Lower taxes are another draw to the township, in addition to nearby job opportunities, retail and restaurants in State College.
Older subdivisions in Benner have shaded lots that offer privacy from neighboring homes.
Most older houses branch off Buffalo Run Road, one of the area’s main thoroughfares.
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Spring Creek Canyon and Fisherman’s Paradise
Open to the public, the area’s central green space, Spring Creek Canyon, is owned and protected by Benner Township, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, and Penn State, ensuring that the area's rural beauty will remain untouched while Benner grows. Residents use the Spring Creek Canyon Trail for hiking, biking and jogging. Tubing and kayaking can be enjoyed along the creek, which is also home to Fisherman’s Paradise, one of the most accessible fishing areas in the United States and a prime spot for anglers since 1932. The location is catch-and-release only. Along the creek are the Bellefonte State Fish Hatchery and the Benner Spring State Fish Hatchery, used to stock fishing locations throughout Pennsylvania. “They don’t stock Spring Creek,” Clampet says. “They want to allow trout to grow there naturally.”
Spring Creek Canyon Trail offers fishers numerous spots to cast their lines.
Fishermans Paradise has been a prime spot for anglers since 1932.
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New townhouse and single-family-home developments being built
Most subdivisions branch off Buffalo Run Road, one of the area’s main thoroughfares. Homes feature long manicured lots, and some even have in-ground pools. Communities farther from the main road may have narrow sidewalks. Like Benner’s commercial district, its residential footprint is also expanding. Single-family-home and townhouse developments are being built. Newly constructed traditional-style homes range from $400,000 to $650,000 and are only on the market for around 40 days. Older homes in prairie or ranch styles can sell for $130,000 to $375,000, while townhouses land in the $260,000 to $400,000 range. Manufactured homes tend to list between $65,000 and $300,000. Houses close to Spring Creek and Buffalo Run may experience flooding, but Clampet says most homes are at a higher elevation than the bodies of water in the area. The community's CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
New three story townhomes in Benner can go for up to roughly $400,000.
Homes in new subdivisions in Benner go from $400,000 to $650,000.
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Grocery stores and chain restaurants coming to Benner Pike
New hotels and restaurants are popping up along Benner Pike, the township's commercial district. The area also has a newly built Giant Food grocery store. For upscale dining, residents visit RE Farm Café at Windswept Farm, which serves four-course dinners and casual small plates in a rustic farm-style setting. For shopping, dining and groceries, most residents head to Nittany Mall in State College. It’s also the site of the Nittany Valley Sports Centre, a year-round indoor sports facility that hosts soccer and basketball tournaments, youth classes and camps. Nearby, Bernel Road Park is a manicured green space with walking trails, a disc golf course, tennis courts, a fitness area and a playground. Back in Benner, religious services are held at houses of worship like Greater Buffalo Run United Methodist Church, New Hope Church and Unity Church of Jesus Christ.
For groceries, shoppers of Benner can head to the newly built Giant Food grocery store.
DIners at RE Farm Cafe in Benner have a live view of the kitchen and the chefs.
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Bellefonte Area School District building new Bellefonte Elementary School
The Bellefonte Area School District, which receives a B from Niche, serves Benner Township. Children may attend Benner Elementary School, which receives a B-plus, before moving on to Bellefonte Area Middle School, which gets a B-minus. They can then advance to Bellefonte Area High School, which earns a B. The Bellefonte Area School District has broken ground on a new elementary school, which will be completed in 2026. The new, updated building will replace the current Bellefonte Elementary School, allowing for more students and new learning areas, such as a STEM lab and a media center. The district hopes to complete the school without raising district taxes.
State College Regional Airport nearby
The township is car-dependent, and locals use Pennsylvania 550 to commute to Bellefonte and Interstate 99 to travel elsewhere in the state and beyond. Benner has two airports in the area: the State College Regional Airport and the Bellefonte Airport. Penn State University Aviation Center is based at the regional airport, and American Airlines and United fly from the airport directly to Philadelphia, Chicago and Washington, D.C. The Bellefonte Airport is for pilots who own their own aircraft; it also offers training sessions. While homes near the airports may hear some noise, most of the planes are small and aren’t loud enough to be much of a concern, Clampet says.
State College Airport is located within Benner and has daily commercial flights.
Travelers of Benner can head to State College Airport for direct flights to major cities.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
Photography Contributed By
Justin Schmidt
Video By
Ellie Brown
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