In South Central Pennsylvania, Chambersburg has a long history dating back to the early 18th century. Benjamin Chambers settled the borough in 1730, determining that the confluence of Conococheaque Creek and Falling Spring was a desirable location for industrial mills. While mills no longer line the waterfront, Chambersburg is now a vibrant community anchored by a walkable downtown with local businesses, restaurants, art galleries and historic sites. “Our downtown is remarkable,” says Sam Thrush, the president of Downtown Chambersburg Inc. and a longtime resident. “The storefronts are filled with businesses of all kinds.” American flags surround Memorial Square in the heart of Downtown Chambersburg and the Chambersburg Historic District, where the Memorial Fountain and Statue honor the borough’s rich history as the only town north of the Mason-Dixon Line to be burned by the Confederacy during the Civil War. “Our Memorial Square is one of the few in Pennsylvania that still has a fountain in the center of it. Traffic has to go around it, and that square is the center of our major downtown events,” Thrush says. Home to just under 22,000 people, Chambersburg is the county seat of Franklin County and offers a central location in the Cumberland Valley, about 55 miles from the state capital of Harrisburg.
Downtown Chambersburg serves as a hub of rich history preservation.
Chambersburg borough's rich history is on display at sites like the Old Franklin County Jail.
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Local businesses, entertainment and a rich history in Downtown Chambersburg
Downtown Chambersburg sits at the crossroads of U.S. Routes 11 and 30, which locals know as Main Street and Lincoln Highway, respectively. “We’re blessed to have a lot of strong businesses in our downtown,” Thrush says. Local businesses are ingrained into the fabric of the community, and longstanding institutions like Olympia Candy Kitchen and Ludwig’s Jewelers have been around for more than a century. The downtown dining scene includes everything from casual cafés and pizzerias to upscale bistros and local watering holes. Shopping centers line the outskirts of town and offer department stores, big-box retailers and grocery stores. Downtown Chambersburg is also a hub for the borough’s artistic community. The Foundry Art Market serves as an artist cooperative, while the Capitol Theatre Center hosts the Chambersburg Ballet and Chambersburg Community Theatre. “They do various events throughout the year. This past October, they did ‘Rocky Horror’, and this past December, they did a radio play of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’” Thrush says.
The borough’s rich history is on display at sites like the Old Franklin County Jail, one of the few buildings to survive the burning of Chambersburg in 1864. Visitors can schedule guided tours of the historic jail, which is also believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad and today houses the Franklin County Historical Society. Five areas of Franklin County’s rich history are on display at the Chambersburg Heritage Center, including a special focus on the area’s role in the Civil War.
Ludwig’s Jewelers have been around Chambersburg for more than a century.
The Capitol Theatre Center in Chambersburg hosts the Chambersburg Ballet and Community Theatre.
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Events in Downtown Chambersburg include IceFest
Downtown Chambersburg is a destination for community events. The annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting kick off the holiday season as festive floats, local marching bands and Santa Claus himself make their way down Main Street. “One thing I hear from other towns that they’re envious of is how bright our downtown is during the holiday season. There’s a lot of pride in making sure that the lights are bright and shiny, and they certainly cheer us all up at the start of the winter season,” Thrush says. Chambersburg’s IceFest is the largest ice festival in Pennsylvania and features four full days of ice-themed activities. “Our IceFest is remarkable. It includes at least 17 giant ice sculptures, which are taller than your normal human being,” Thrush says. Other popular events that support the borough’s local businesses include Old Market Day, AppleFest and Trick or Treat on Main.
The doublewide ice slide is hugely popular with the local kids at the IceFest in Chambersburg.
Sculptors put the finishing touches on their works at the IceFest in Chambersburg.
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Comparatively low home prices and limited inventory in Chambersburg
Residential streets surround Downtown Chambersburg. The borough's oldest homes date to the 19th century and include a mix of Foursquares, workers cottages and Colonial Revivals, some of which have been converted into duplexes. Further from the town center, Cape Cod and ranch-style homes are the norm. The median price of single-family homes is $265,000, significantly lower than the national median of more than $420,000. Limited inventory means that the amount of supply is also well below the national average, and most properties sell after an average of 29 days on the market. Newer townhouse developments are concentrated around the outskirts of town, and the median price for townhouses is around $245,000.
New construction developments are being built just outside of Downtown Chambersburg.
Townhomes with modest yards perfect for kids and pets offer a media price of $265,000 in Chambersburg.
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Chambersburg Area School District, private schools and Wilson College
The Chambersburg Area School District earns an overall grade of B-minus from Niche. With almost 10,000 students, it’s the 22nd largest school district in Pennsylvania. It consists of 13 elementary schools, two middle schools, a traditional high school and a career magnet high school with an emphasis on STEM. All schools receive a C or higher from Niche. Nearby private school options include the Cumberland Valley Christian School, a college preparatory school serving prekindergarten through 12th grade. In the northwestern corner of Chambersburg is Wilson College, a private institution with more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Its 300-acre campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is known for its striking Victorian and Gothic-inspired architecture.
Wilson College offers Chambersburg locals higher education.
Cumberland Valley Christian School offers a faith based education.
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Chambersburg Memorial Park, local rail trail and the Appalachian Mountains
According to the Trust for Public Land, 78% of Chambersburg residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Standouts include the 37-acre Chambersburg Memorial Park, which features various athletic facilities, a playground and a bandshell where the borough hosts the annual Summer Concert Series. It’s also home to the Chambersburg Aquatic Center, where residents can cool off during humid summers. “I’ve personally been buying season passes there for my family. They have waterslides, a diving board, a rock-climbing wall, a lazy river and a whole water playground for the kids to play on,” Thrush says. “I don’t know too many towns that have that.” The Chambersburg Rail Trail runs parallel to Conococheague Creek, and the Coyle Free Library hosts recreational and educational programs for all ages. After receiving an $879,865 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development in 2022, Downtown Chambersburg Inc. is working to build an open-air amphitheater next to Chambers Fort Park. “Our intention is to have the amphitheater ready to go by the fall of 2025,” Thrush says.
Chambersburg also sits next to the Appalachian Mountains, and spots like Caledonia State Park are about 10 miles from the borough. “It’s a short bike or car ride out to the mountains on either side of us,” Thrush says. “There are state forests and game lands on either side of us as well.” The Appalachian Trail passes through Caledonia State Park, and several trails are open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the region’s snowy winters. Golfers can join the nearby Chambersburg Country Club and access an 18-hole championship golf course, outdoor pool and tennis courts.
The Chambersburg Rail Trail is an 18 mile long multi-use trail.
Caledonia State Park has walking trails throughout it.
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A central location between the two biggest cities in Pennsylvania
In addition to serving as the heart of Downtown Chambersburg, U.S. Routes 11 and 30 provide access to major thoroughfares such as Interstates 81 and 76. The borough lacks public transportation, meaning residents typically rely on their own cars to get around the rest of the Cumberland Valley and beyond. The borough is also centrally located between the two biggest cities in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, each about 160 miles away. For air travel, Harrisburg International Airport is around 65 miles from the borough.
The borough is home to WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, the second-largest employer is all of Franklin County. Many of the county’s business parks sit along the I-81 corridor just south of Chambersburg. The Chambers-5 Business Park, CADCO Industrial Park and Progress Park supply hundreds of jobs to the region and host major employers like Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe Inc. The bakery company is known for its signature potato rolls, and the borough celebrates New Year’s Eve with a unique twist on the classic Times Square ball drop. As the clock approaches midnight on December 31st, residents gather in Downtown Chambersburg to watch a giant bag of Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls drop into Chambers Fort Park.
WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital serves as the cities second-largest employer.
Interstate 81 runs through Chambersburg and offers easy access for commuters.
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Low utility rates and a slightly higher CAP Index crime score
Chambersburg is one of the few communities in the United States to have its own electric and natural gas systems. The borough also operates a regional water and sanitary sewer system. “Because of that, we have some of the lowest utility rates in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Thrush says.
The borough’s overall CAP Index crime score is 5 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4. Data from the Chambersburg Police Department shows less than a 1% increase in the total number of offenses reported between 2022 and 2023, with larceny accounting for around 26% of reported crimes in 2023.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
Video By
Nathan Allen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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On average, homes in Chambersburg, PA sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Chambersburg, PA over the last 12 months is $282,850, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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**SPECIAL: Get One Month Free! Sign Lease by 10/31!** Move right into your brand-new luxury townhome in our modern rental community, Foxpoint! These thoughtfully designed townhomes in Chambersburg, PA, are ideally located near Memorial Park, Wilson College, and major commuter routes like Highway 11, Highway 30, and Interstate 81, making it easy to access everything you need.The spacious
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**SPECIAL: Get One Month Free! Sign Lease by 10/31!** Move right into your brand-new luxury townhome in our modern rental community, Foxpoint! These thoughtfully designed townhomes in Chambersburg, PA, are ideally located near Memorial Park, Wilson College, and major commuter routes like Highway 11, Highway 30, and Interstate 81, making it easy to access everything you need.The spacious
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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