With a population of just under 2,750, Cowanshannock Township embraces the tranquility of rural living. “It’s a small town, and there are a lot of families who have been there and who continue to live there,” says Sandy Bracken, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathway HomeServices The Preferred Realty with over 16 years of experience in the industry. Outdoor recreation is abundant in this quiet town, with Cowanshannock Creek and the Great Shamokin Path leading past acres of rolling farmland. Hunters can join the Shannock Valley Sportsmens Club, while anglers can cast their lines at Keystone Lake, which covers 850 acres and extends into the southeastern corner of the township, making it the largest lake in Armstrong County. While the township’s countryside setting lends itself to a slower pace of life, access to Pennsylvania Route 85 means that residents can drive to nearby shopping, dining and larger city centers. The township also surrounds the borough of Rural Valley, which anchors the community with family-owned businesses and seasonal events.
Residents travel a short distance to Ford City to feed animals at Fantasy of Lights and Trees.
Residents of Cowanshannock Township head to Ford City for the farmers market.
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Fishing in Keystone Lake and access to the Great Shamokin Path
With access to Keystone Lake, Cowanshannock Township is a popular fishing spot. The lake is a warmwater fishery known for its steady supply of bass, trout and bluegill. There are also two public boat launches where paddle boaters can access the water. Just north of the lake is the Silver Canoe Campground, which has cabin rentals, tent sites and more for those looking to spend a night in the countryside. Adrenaline Ridge MX offers a dirt motocross track along the town’s southern edge, while the 18-hole White Oak Golf Course is less than 5 miles north and is open to the public. In Rural Valley, Shannock Valley Community Park features two ballfields, a basketball court and a playground. Residents also have access to the Great Shamokin Path, which spans nearly 4 miles between the CDPs of NuMine and Rose Valley. The rail trail runs parallel to Cowanshannock Creek along the path of the former Rural Valley Railroad, and its surface consists of a mix of dirt, gravel and grass. A canopy of mature trees shades the path, which is now suitable for walking, running and biking rather than trains.
Go for a hike through the Great Shamokin Path in Cowanshannock Township.
Keystone Lake is a great spot to take in the beauty of nature in Cowanshannock Township.
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Rustic homes with up to several acres of land
Most homes in Cowanshannock Township are concentrated around the unincorporated communities of NuMine, Sagamore and Yatesboro. “There are some nice residential dwellings, and it’s an affordable area to live,” Bracken says. Rustic farmhouses date back to the turn of the 20th century, while traditional ranch-style and split-level homes were built around the mid-1900s. Properties in the center of town have more of a suburban feel, as they sit closer together on quarter-acre lots, but those further from Pennsylvania Route 85 offer residents more privacy with up to several acres of land. Home prices typically range from $85,000 for older farmhouses to $215,000 for larger ranch-style homes, although houses with significant acreage can sell for upwards of $290,000. Because of the proximity to the community's namesake creek that flows through the township, there may be a risk of flooding for homes that sit along the water. Cowanshannock Township has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Cowanshannock Township residents take great care of landscaping and are proud of their homes.
Move-in-ready two-story homes in Cowanshannock Township are often on larger lots.
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Career pathways at West Shamokin Junior-Senior High School
The Armstrong School District serves the township and earns an overall grade of C-plus from Niche. Kids can begin their education at Shannock Valley Elementary School, which receives a B-minus and serves kindergarten through sixth grade. West Shamokin Junior-Senior High School covers seventh through 12th grade and scores a C-plus. Students in ninth through 12th grade can elect one of four career pathways: arts and communications; business, finance, and information technology; engineering, science and industrial technology; and health science and human services. West Shamokin also partners with Mt. Aloysius College and Westmoreland County Community College to offer a College Within the High School program, which allows teens to earn college credit on the high school’s campus.
West Shamokin Jr-Sr High School is dedicated to helping young people in Cowanshannock.
Shannock Valley Elementary School is a great place for young minds to learn and grow in Cowanshannock.
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Festivities at the Rural Valley Pumpkin Fest
Rural Valley is a destination for community events. The annual Rural Valley Pumpkin Fest has been around for more than 25 years and brings local vendors, live music and plenty of fall-themed treats to Shannock Valley Community Park each September. In November, the Rural Valley Community Family Light Up Night celebrates the start of the holiday season with a tree lighting and an appearance from Santa Claus. Residents can also join the Shannock Valley Sportsmens Club, which has a target range and hosts bingo nights, hunter safety courses and an annual youth fishing derby.
Take a break on one of the many benches in Cowanshannock Township's Shannock Valley Community Park
Cowanshannock Township residents enjoy the outdoors at Shannock Valley Community Park.
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Restaurants in the borough of Rural Valley
Shopping and dining are limited in Cowanshannock Township, but there are several local businesses along PA 85. Restaurants include Fox’s Pizza Den and Smasher’s Bull Pen, a local watering hole with wood-paneled walls and a packed calendar of events ranging from karaoke nights to tractor shows. There are more dining options in the borough of Rural Valley, which features a walkable Main Street with spots like Avis Tavern and Valley Café. Charley’s Place Restaurant is a casual spot that’s been serving up pizza, pasta and subs since 1972. There are also several houses of worship in the borough, such as NuValley Presbyterian Church and Rural Valley United Methodist Church. For the essentials, there’s Dollar General and DiMaio’s Supermarket. Further from the highway, country roads lead past family-owned farms like Woffords Tree Farm and Acorn Hollow Farm. When residents need to run errands, they can head 23 miles southeast to the borough of Indiana. The Indiana Mall has more than 35 different retailers, while Southtowne Plaza features Walmart, Aldi and Staples.
Smasher’s Bull Pen is a local watering hole for Cowanshannock Township residents.
Grab a hot pie for Friday night at the Fox's Pizza in Cowanshannock Township.
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Car-dependent township with access to Pittsburgh
Cowanshannock Township lacks public transportation, and its rural landscapes mean that residents rely on their cars to get around. Pennsylvania Route 85 bisects the township and provides access to major thoroughfares such as U.S. Route 422 and Pennsylvania Route 28. Pittsburgh is about a 57-mile drive away via PA 28, and Pittsburgh International Airport is around 74 miles from the township. The closest hospital to Cowanshannock Township is ACMH Hospital, which is 20 miles away in Kittanning and has a 24/7 emergency room.
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