Small borough in Northeastern Pennsylvania, near the Lehigh Valley
Bowmanstown is a quaint borough on the northeastern bank of the Lehigh River. It’s home to fewer than 900 people and maintains a small-town feel in its quiet residential streets, neighborhood parks and handful of local establishments. “Bowmanstown is a one-road little town. It offers quiet living, but you’re only about half an hour from the Lehigh Valley,” says Aaron Kromer, a Realtor with Koehler Marvin Realty who was born and raised in the area. While residents enjoy a slower pace of life, they’re within 30 miles of bigger cities like Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Bowmanstown is also just west of the Pocono Mountains region, a four-season destination for outdoor recreation. “There are a ton of outdoorsy activities. Proximity to spots like Beltsville Lake and the Blue Mountain ski resort are by far the biggest draws to the area,” Kromer says.
Outdoor recreation near the Lehigh River and the Pocono Mountains
Green spaces include Oliver Solt Recreational Park, a popular spot for community gatherings with a pavilion and charcoal grills. Residents can also access a park on Green Street with a playground and ballfield. Potential additions to Bowmanstown’s recreational offerings include a green space next to the town’s post office; the proposed park is still in the planning stages. It would include a paved walking path meant to help connect locals to the Bowmanstown Pedestrian Tunnel, an underpass beneath Pennsylvania Route 248 along the Lehigh River decorated with vibrant murals of wildlife.
Those looking to access the Lehigh River can head to Bowmanstown’s boat ramp, which is on the river’s western side near a trailhead for the 165-mile-long Delaware & Lehigh Trail. “Fishermen will launch boats there, and whitewater rafting actually goes down through that area,” Kromer says. Nearby activities in the Pocono Mountains range from swimming at Beltsville State Park to skiing at Blue Mountain Resort, both of which are less than 15 miles from the borough.
Housing includes a variety of architectural styles and limited inventory
Most homes were built between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries. Residential streets feature a variety of architectural styles, including a mix of workers cottages, American Foursquares and ranch-style homes. Bowmanstown also has several duplexes and twin homes. Properties in Bowmanstown rarely come on the market. In recent years, only eight have been sold at prices ranging from $90,000 to just over $300,000. The median price for single-family homes is around $250,000, and when properties are available, they sell after an average of less than a month on the market. The borough’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Residents live in the Palmerton Area School District
Bowmanstown is part of the Palmerton Area School District. The district receives an overall grade of C-minus from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 12-to-1. Kids can attend S.S. Palmer Elementary School, Palmerton Area Junior High School and Palmer Area Senior High School, all of which earn a C-plus from Niche. At the senior high school, students can earn college credit through Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses taught in partnership with Lehigh Carbon Community College. Nearby private school options include St. John Neumann Regional School, which serves prekindergarten through eighth grade and does not have a Niche rating.
Bowmanstown restaurants and nearby stores for running errands
The borough has a handful of local eateries. The Bowmanstown Diner is a retro spot with a long counter and cozy booths. It’s been part of the community since 1951 and is best known for Pennsylvania Dutch classics like scrapple and shoofly pie. The borough is also home to 3 Brothers Pizza and Relly’s Deli, a corner store selling sandwiches and everyday essentials. Residents can head to Lehighton, about 5 miles away, to run errands at bigger stores like Lowe’s, Walmart and Giant. They’re also less than 5 miles from Palmerton, where Kromer says there are more restaurants. “They have a ton of food choices,” he says.
An active community group supports residents with events and more
Bowmanstown Area Residents Connected (BARC) is a volunteer organization that hosts community events. Annual festivities include a community yard sale, a holiday light contest and a summer block party at the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company. The fire station also brings residents together for wing nights, outdoor concerts and more. For locals in need of food, BARC has set up “blessing boxes” at the Emmanuel United Church of Christ and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Major highways and local bus service in Northeastern Pennsylvania
Bowmanstown is near major thoroughfares such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Nearby highway access means that residents can more easily drive to bigger cities like Allentown, just over 20 miles away, and Scranton, about 55 miles northeast of the borough. Bowmanstown is also within 90 miles of Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Public transportation includes bus service courtesy of Carbon Transit. For flights, Lehigh Valley International Airport is about 20 miles away. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon, less than 10 miles from Bowmanstown, is the closest hospital and has a 24/7 emergency room.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
Photography Contributed By
Alex Jacobsen