$286,733Average Value$145Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
A recently developing town on the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania
Highfield-Cascade is a small town on the state line of Maryland that is closer to Waynesboro, Pennsylvania than it is to other similar towns below the Mason-Dixon. When it comes up in conversation, which is rarely, talk inevitably turns to the neighborhood’s mountain scenery. “People go there because it’s a quiet area, beautiful and up in the mountains, but close to everything,” says Matt Hurley, owner of Hurley Real Estate and Auctions, who has over 30 years of experience selling in the area. “It’s a short drive to Waynesboro, Pennsylvania or to Hagerstown and Frederick in Maryland. People who like the outdoors really can’t get enough of it up there.” The town is situated in the shadow of the Appalachian Trail, and once was home to the historic Fort Ritchie, a military base whose personnel played pivotal roles in World War II as translators and interrogators of prisoners of war. “The closing of Fort Ritchie in 1998 meant a lot of jobs left the area,” Hurley says. “But recently, the fort was purchased, and there’s been a lot of new development. There are all kinds of new businesses starting up, from coffee shops to haunted houses. So it’ll be interesting to see how that affects the area.” Other than that, Highfield-Cascade has stayed much the same over the years – a quiet town split between two school districts that is perched in the mountains and beneath the trees.
New retail spaces and existing amenities are minutes away from Highfield-Cascade.
A nearby lake offers plenty of recreational opportunities for Highfield-Cascade residents.
Highfield-Cascade is a neighborhood sitting 1,394 feet above sea level.
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Pen Mar Park is a great place for family outings.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail and pickleball at Fort Ritchie
Highfield-Cascade comes alive with green in the summer, when the mountain town is most frequented by hikers looking to pick up the Appalachian Trail. This can be done at Pen Mar Park, which blends into the mountain and is named for a nearby neighborhood that sits across the Mason-Dixon Line in Pennsylvania. This area is one of the best for starting the hike down to High Rock, a panoramic vista that was once used for hang-gliding. Those looking for a less vigorous experience outdoors can head to the Fort Ritchie Athletic Field for pickup soccer games or to fish off the pier at the pond. At the Fort Ritchie Community Center, member neighbors can learn to play pickleball or register for fitness classes, rec-league sports, summer camps and fishing tournaments.
A dappled mix of homes in limestone hills
There is an intriguing mix of homes in Highfield-Cascade, which often feature large lawns and driveways setting them back from the street. Early 20th-century stick houses, midcentury Cape Cods and ranch-style homes and Modern Traditional builds from 1990 on sit side-by-side, stitched together by the roads that wind up into the forested mountains. Single-family homes tend to price from around $200,000 to about $450,000 depending on the age and size of the property. Prospective owners will notice the common presence of radon detectors in area basements. “I think you’ll find those anywhere you have limestone,” Hurley says. “There won’t be more in Cascade than in other places in Washington County.” Limestone, which has a higher-than-average uranium content, makes up a large portion of the geology of Washington County. The breakdown of this uranium leads to the formation of radon gas, which is odorless and invisible. These detectors are, therefore, important tools in the prevention of any associated complications.
This simple ranch style home is a common house in Highfield-Cascade
A large home with a deck overlooks the valley from atop the mountains in Highfield-Cascade.
You can find a charming stone construction cottage style home in Highfield-Cascade.
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Split between Washington and Frederick County schools
Highfield-Cascade finds itself in the middle of a split in school districts. “Students will fall either in the Washington County or Frederick County public systems,” Hurley says. Those who are zoned to attend Washington County schools will begin at Cascade Elementary, which Niche rates a B. They would then proceed to Smithsburg Middle, also a B, before finishing at Smithsburg High School, rated B-plus. In Frederick County, students would begin at Thurmont Elementary, which earns a B. They would then attend Thurmont Middle School before completing their education at Catoctin High, both of which score a B-minus.
Smithsburg High School serves students of Washington County, Maryland.
Cascade Elementary School serves students in the Ft. Ritchie area.
Smithsburg Middle School earns a "B" rating from Niche.
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The drive up to Highfield-Cascade is beautiful along Raven Rock Road.
From winding mountain roads to the interstate
Military Road and MD Route 491 converge in the center of Highfield-Cascade and are the only two roads that serve the neighborhood. Route 491 is the quickest way to get to Hagerstown, linking up with Jefferson Boulevard for a trip of roughly 15 miles. The closest major highway is Route 15, about 9 miles southeast, but residents can pick up Interstate 70 about 13 miles southwest as well. Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, is the closest nearby city, located 9 miles northwest along PA Route 16.
Small-town shops and trips to Waynesboro, PA
Apart from the development of Fort Ritchie, which began in 2021, Highfield-Cascade has a very small commercial footprint. “For the most part, Blue Ridge Summit and Waynesboro in Pennsylvania are the closest options,” Hurley says. “There’s a Lowe’s and a Walmart up there.” Martins in Waynesboro is the nearest chain supermarket, although Sanders Market is the closest, located on Military Road. This grocery store, owned by area residents Roy and Dollie Sanders, has provided the community with everything from fresh produce and meats to baked goods and sandwiches for over 65 years. Since 2021, economic revival efforts in the defunct Fort Ritchie have added stops such as the Greenhouse Café, which serves breakfast, lunch and coffee, and the Top Secret Taproom, a bar and eatery that pays homage to Fort Ritchie’s history as a military intelligence training center. Although these are currently only open on the weekends, folks can order out from Rocky’s Pizza or grab a drink at Chocolate Park Tavern all week long.
Martins is a nearby grocery store option for Highfield-Cascade residents.
Walmart and other amenities are a short drive from Highfield-Cascade.
Try a caramel macchiato at Greenhouse Cafe in Highfield-Cascade.
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Fridays at the Fort
While Cascade had been considered a quiet town even before the shutdown of Fort Ritchie, the recent revival efforts have sparked life in the neighborhood. Fridays at the Fort brings a farmers market to the center of town, where residents can purchase locally crafted goods, shop for fresh produce and enjoy live music. At the Ritchie History Museum, they can explore and learn about the importance of the fort in World War II, where the over 15,000 servicemen and women were trained for frontline intelligence work and code-breaking. In the fall, Distorted Dreams Haunt draws visitors eager to spook themselves silly at their haunted house.
The Fort Ritchie Museum offers a rich resource of history to the Highfield-Cascade neighborhood.
The Nisei Gallery is worth the short trip from Highfield-Cascade.
The Fort Ritchie Museum offers a rich resource of history to the Highfield-Cascade neighborhood.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Highfield-Cascade, Cascade sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Highfield-Cascade, Cascade over the last 12 months is $260,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
.22 acre wooded lot close to Pen Mar Park and other recreation. Public water and sewer is available to homes next to this lot but buyer should verify hookup with Washington County.
This home combines the historic charm of a 1934 craftsman-built cape cod, including a stone foundation and frame construction, with thoroughly modern renovations. Set on a half-acre in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, with 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms and over 2000 sq ft of finished living space, plus a heated walkout basement, this home offers historic character and contemporary convenience. No
Welcome to this distinctive 3-bedroom, 2 full bath, 2 half bath stone Cape Cod nestled on a picturesque lot surrounded by lush gardens and nature. Boasting timeless character and modern comforts, this home features hardwood flooring throughout and four cozy propane fireplaces, adding warmth and charm in every season. The main level offers a spacious living room , a formal dining room perfect for
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