Brownstown blends suburban living with surrounding farmland
Brownstown is a residential community in the countryside of northeastern Lancaster County. “It’s very much a suburban community, but there’s a lot of Amish and Mennonite agriculture that surrounds it,” says John Stauffer, a Realtor with Re/Max Evolved who has lived in the area his entire life. Midcentury subdivisions and newer housing developments make up much of Brownstown, although hints of 19th-century history can be found throughout the West Earl Township community. Stauffer says the school district is a major draw along with easy highway access for commuters to Lancaster and Reading, both 20 to 30 minutes away.
Homes date from the mid-1800s through the 2010s
Brownstown has a few subdivisions with single-family homes on winding suburban streets. Ranch-style homes, split-levels and Colonial Revivals built between the 1950s and the 1990s typically sit on quarter- to half-acre lots, with prices ranging from $300,000 to $500,000. New Traditional houses from the early 2000s and the 2010s usually have smaller yards and range from $410,000 to $470,000. Upscale outliers can go for nearly $900,000. On the south side of Brownstown, the small community of Talmage offers a more historic setting with Colonial Revivals built between the mid-1800s and the early 1900s. Townhouses range from $170,000 to $280,000, and single-family homes go for $350,000 to $490,000. Brownstown has a competitive housing market. “The homes sell fast and usually over value,” Stauffer says. “What I’m seeing lately is between $20,000 to $50,000 over the asking price.” The community also has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Schools in the Conestoga Valley School District are highly rated
Students may attend Brownstown Elementary School, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. “There’s a strong community feel because of the elementary school,” Stauffer says. “They do a fundraiser every year where they do a hayride around the community. My boys went to school there and they still ask us to do the hayride, even though they are in high school now.” Gerald G. Huesken Middle School and Conestoga Valley High School are also graded a B-plus. Qualifying high school seniors can attend Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology as freshmen for half the regular tuition.
Riverside trails and bowling offer local recreation options
West Earl Community Park has a picnic pavilion and two playgrounds, including a tot lot. The dog-friendly park also has an open grassy field and a trail that runs along the Conestoga River. Just down the street, Sylvan B. Fisher Park also features a riverside trail along with a ramp for kayaks and canoes. Locals can head to 222 Dutch Lanes for bowling, arcade games and mini golf. For more activity, locals venture elsewhere. “As far as entertainment, people usually leave the area,” Stauffer says.
A few restaurants in town and big-box retailers in Ephrata
Oregon Pike is lined with various businesses, including many industrial shops, gas stations, medical facilities and car dealerships. There aren’t many restaurants in town, but options include Scratch Bakes Café, Two Cousins Pizza and Sonic Drive-In. About 5 minutes from town, the Log Cabin Restaurant has offered fine dining in a log cabin setting since 1933. Getting there requires crossing the historic Zook's Mill Covered Bridge, built in 1849. For shopping, several big-box stores are about 10 minutes away in Ephrata. There are also several farm stands in the area, a common sight in communities across Lancaster County.
U.S. 222 offers easy access to Lancaster and Reading
U.S. 222 runs through Brownstown, leading about 10 miles to Lancaster and 25 miles to Reading, home to Reading International Airport. Public buses are available for Lancaster commuters through Red Rose Transit Authority.
![Nicolas Stuart]()
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
