Quiet rolling farmland in Colerain Township
Amish farms roll across Colerain Township, a rural community on the far south side of Lancaster County. “As far as zoning goes, we are about 90% agricultural. It’s a beautiful farm country with rolling hills,” says Carmen Wiker, the township’s secretary and treasurer since 2012. The area offers a quiet, slow-paced atmosphere, where a drive down the road may be slightly interrupted by a horse and buggy. “There are no stop lights in Colerain Township, just stop signs,” Wiker says.
Local farms offer fresh food and a strong agricultural presence
Local farms provide the community — and the region — with fresh fruit, vegetables and meat at grocery stores and roadside stands. “Something nice about living here is you have a produce stand every mile,” Wiker says. “Most have a little booth or table at the end of their driveway.” Sometimes in spring, summer or fall, the smell of fertilizer and manure wafts through the community as farms get to work. “If you move here, you have to understand it’s going to smell. There’s no way about it,” Wiker says.
Homes with scenic farmland views
Many houses in the area sit along country roads, offering picturesque views of vast farmland. Styles include ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and many custom designs built between the late 1800s and early 2000s. Similar homes from the late 20th century are in a development on the south side of the township near Octoraro Lake. Homes rarely hit the market in Colerain Township, with around 10 selling in recent years. Prices generally range from $400,000 to $730,000, plus a few outliers, including a small 1800s schoolhouse converted into a house that sold for around $260,000, and a 180-acre farm with stables and a Cape Cod house that sold for $4.5 million. The township receives a CAP Index Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Solanco High School offers an internship programs
Students may attend Bart-Colerain Elementary School, which receives a B grade from Niche. They’ll go on to Smith Middle School and Solanco High School, each rated C-plus. High schoolers have the opportunity to participate in an internship program, gaining hands-on work experience with local businesses.
Colerain Community Park, state game lands and a fishing lake
Locals head to Colerain Community Park for the playground and basketball court. Youth leagues play on the park’s baseball field, and residents can rent a picnic pavilion to celebrate special occasions. The township is home to State Game Lands Number 136, where locals go to hunt. “Deer would be the main thing, but people also hunt small game like rabbits and squirrels,” Wiker says. The boat launch at Octoraro Lake lets locals head out to fish for bass, catfish and walleye in the 520-acre reservoir.
Local stores offer Amish goods, more options in Quarryville
The township has a few options for shopping and dining. Pleasant Valley Country Store offers a selection of locally sourced groceries, including many Amish-made products. Kreiders Market offers convenience store items and sandwiches. Locals may head to Quarryville to shop for groceries at Giant or to dine out at a pizza restaurant or café. It’s also home to Maplehofe Dairy, which is notable for its ice cream and flavored milk.
Locals commute to Lancaster and Philadelphia
Commuters take U.S. 222 to drive 20 miles to Lancaster, which takes around 40 minutes. U.S. 1 is also nearby, which leads 60 miles to Philadelphia, about a 90-minute commute. According to Wiker, locals work in both cities. For long trips, travelers can fly out of Philadelphia International Airport.
Agricultural celebration at the Solanco Fair
In September, thousands attend the Solanco Fair in Quarryville, a three-day event that celebrates the community’s agricultural roots. An annual tradition since 1950, the fair features a downtown parade, tractor pulls and 4-H competitions.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
