Cressona offers a small-town atmosphere in Pennsylvania
Along a bend of the West Branch Schuylkill River, Cressona is a residential area situated on the outskirts of Schuylkill Haven. The community is woven into the landscape close to where Pennsylvania Routes 183 and 61 meet, which connect it to Reading and Allentown, respectively. Locals are drawn to Cressona’s small-town atmosphere, epitomized by events put on by the Good Will Hose Company, Cressona’s volunteer community fire department. “People like the school district and it’s more of a community vibe there,” says Nada Laguna, a Realtor with EveryHome Realtors. “The fire company holds different events for people to come to, like bingo every week.” A Hydro Extrusions aluminum plant, situated on the banks of the river, is one of the area’s largest employers. “Hydro used to be the biggest employer in Schuylkill County,” Laguna says. Today, the facility still staffs over 1,000 workers.
Housing options with architectural variety near the Schuylkill River
Cressona offers a variety of housing styles on residential streets near the river. Single-family homes typically have ranch-style or Cape Cod architecture, though some custom designs and farmhouse-style homes are mixed in as well. “Single-family, ranch-style homes in that area are in the $200,000 to $250,000 range, depending on condition,” Laguna says. “There’s a bit of variety and a range of prices. Semi-detached homes are going to be around $100,000.” Potential buyers here will also find townhouses, which typically cost between $230,000 and $250,000.
Students take the stage at Blue Mountain High School
Kids in the Cressona area are served by the Blue Mountain School District, which gets a B rating from Niche. The closest elementary school is Blue Mountain Elementary West, which has yet to receive a rating. Blue Mountain Middle School garners a B-minus, while Blue Mountain High School scores a B. Blue Mountain High offers the Choral Ensembles & Drama Club, which has put on productions like “Mean Girls” and “Mamma Mia!”
Sports facilities and green spaces in Cressona and Schuylkill Haven
The most prominent recreational spots in the community are a set of baseball fields in the southeastern corner, which includes the Cressona Little League Field, and courts for basketball and tennis beside the Cressona Borough Hall. “The basketball court is very popular,” Laguna says. “You always see people playing there.” More green spaces sit just east. Schuylkill Haven Island Park has three soccer fields laid end-to-end, along with two ballfields, a stage and a boat launch along the West Branch Schuylkill River. Reed’s Mill Playground has play equipment, while Bubeck Park has pavilions, walking paths and a playground alongside a dam.
Locals use Pennsylvania state routes to drive around
There is no public transportation in Cressona, so locals rely on personal vehicles to get around. “It’s all car,” Laguna says, “but Route 183 is a traveled road that takes you down to Reading very quickly, and Cressona is right next to Route 61, which takes you down to Interstate 78 in 15 minutes. Cressona is in the southern part of the county, so you can get to some of the metropolitan areas quicker.” Reading is less than 40 miles away, while Allentown is around 45 miles east. Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital is less than 7 miles east.
Shopping and dining close to Route 61
Locals often frequent Loduca’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria and the Hot Rod Bar & Grill in Cressona when dining out. “The Hot Road is a popular bar,” Laguna says. “You always see motorcycles out there.” Just east of Cressona, the Manheim Diner has a retro, silver exterior and specializes in comfort food, while Hoss’s Steak & Sea House has served hungry diners for over 40 years just across the river. Grocery shoppers can head to a Giant along Route 61 or to Bill’s Produce on the south side. “Bill’s is a great little produce store,” Laguna says. “Their produce is so inexpensive compared to the grocery store.”
