Rural Catawissa is known for its recreation
Catawissa is a rural township in Columbia County, Pennsylvania that's favored for its natural setting and proximity to recreation. “People like our landscape, and they like to do outdoor activities,” says Tracy Miller, the treasurer for Catawissa Township. “State Game Lands Number 58 covers a big territory, and we’re close to Knoebels Amusement Resort.” The township is made up of mountainous farmland and state game land. Within the township is a borough of the same name that has residential areas and a commercial Main Street. Since Catawissa is only 4 miles from Bloomsburg, many head there for shopping, dining and employment.
Boating, fishing and hiking in rivers and game lands
State Game Lands Number 58 covers a portion of the township, giving residents access to hunting, boating, fishing and hiking. The Susquehanna River borders Catawissa, which has boat ramps and fishing opportunities. Within the borough are several parks, such as Cara Park, which is an open field that hosts the Catawissa Celebrates Carnival in July. Nearby are baseball fields for Little League teams. The Ralph Wolfgang Memorial Park along Main Street has a basketball court for pick-up games and a playground. The Knoebels Amusement Park, 8 miles away, is a popular seasonal park featuring rollercoasters, waterslides, arcade games and live performances
Single-family homes in Catawissa Borough and Township
The gridded streets of Catawissa Borough give way to the rolling farmland and winding roadways of Catawissa Township. Homes in the borough are built close together with backyards shaded by mature trees. Outside the borough, houses are built back from the road and spaced far apart on farmland or large lots. Residences often rely on wells and septic tanks, while those in the borough have access to a public sewer and water system. Property taxes within the borough may be higher because of this. Most single-family homes are in the Colonial Revival and American Foursquare styles, ranging from around $130,000 to $370,000.
Students attend schools in the Southern Columbia area
Catawissa is served by the Southern Columbia Area School District, which gets a B-minus from Niche. Students attend G.C. Hartman Elementary, which receives a B-plus, and Southern Columbia Area Middle, which gets a B. Students continue to Southern Columbia Area High, which gets a B-minus. The high school football team, the Southern Columbia Tigers, has won 14 state championships, including seven consecutive wins from 2017 to 2023.
Shopping and dining in Catawissa and Bloomsburg
Woody’s Place Diner and Coffee House is a breakfast and lunch location along Main Street within Catawissa Borough. The diner serves southern comfort food and a different coffee flight each week. Nearby grocery stores include Weis Markets and Dollar General. The family-run Rohrbach’s Farm, 3 miles away, includes a store that sells fresh produce and locally sourced farm-fresh items. For more shopping and dining, residents head to Columbia Boulevard in Bloomsburg, which is lined with strip malls, chain restaurants such as Applebee’s and Dunkin’, and grocery stores like Giant and Crest Haven Farm Market.
Commuters use state Route 487
“Catawissa Township itself is agricultural,” says Miller. “So people would need to go to Bloomsburg, Buckhorn, Danville or other nearby towns for work.” From the borough, commuters head north on state Route 487 for 5 miles to reach Bloomsburg. Buckhorn is about 7 miles north on state Route 42, and Danville is 9 miles west. Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital is about 5 miles away, and the Williamsport Regional Airport is roughly 50 miles away. Most houses of worship are in Catawissa Borough, including the Christ United Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. John's Community Church and Catawissa Christian Church.
Events hosted by local organizations
In July, the Catawissa Veterans of Foreign Wars and other local organizations host the Catawissa Celebrates Carnival in Cara Park. Bands perform during the carnival, while attendees eat, play games and participate in arts and crafts. The Catawissa Fire Company hosts annual raffles, such as a raffle for Phillies tickets and a beer raffle. The company also hosts a Corgi Race and Dog Meet-up at Ralph Wolfgang Memorial Park.
Some homes are in a floodplain
The Susquehanna River Basin is prone to flooding, and the Catawissa Creek can flood during inclement weather. “We do have a floodplain that runs through the area,” says Miller. “But most of the county does belong to the National Flood Insurance Program.” While most homes are built back from the river, flooding is still possible. Residents can purchase flood insurance even if they are not in a floodplain.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
