East Nantmeal

West Nantmeal might cover a lot of land, but this township is home to just about 2,250 residents. Historically, this community paved the way for agricultural and ironworking lifestyles, and today the miles and miles of rolling fields include farms for cattle, fish, horses and trees. A landmark built in 1892 that preserves the town's past success in ironwork is Daughters St. Mary Providence, formerly known as the Ironmaster’s mansion. Pennsylvania Turnpike runs through the northern tip of West Nantmeal, but the two-lane highway of Manor Road is the main artery around this scenic and rural area. “You’re away from the hustle and bustle, but you’re not in the middle of nowhere,” says Susan McFadden, a Realtor with Keller Williams who lived in the neighboring town of Elverson for almost 20 years. “There are modern conveniences, but people go home to a quiet life off the beaten path after a busy day.” As residents drive along the two-lane roads of West Nantmeal, they are met with scenic pastures and fields of crops as far as the eye can see. Other than a few houses set near these main roads and the distance silo attached to farm properties with long, winding driveways, most of the residential homes are found along the town’s backroads. The architecture varies from the classic look of Farmhouse Revivals, colonials, Cape Cods and ranch homes to the more modern influences of contemporary, traditional and Craftsman dwellings. These single-family properties that sit on about an acre of land and offer between 1,400 and 3,000 square feet of space typically cost from $330,000 to $600,000. As the home sizes and acreage grow, the prices follow. Houses with similar styles sitting on 2 to 10 acres might be anywhere from 2,000 to 12,000 square feet, and their prices vary between $600,000 to about $1.5 million. “West Nantmeal attracts young families and people who plan to stay in the area for a long time,” McFadden says. “Chester County also has lower taxes than other local counties.” Part of West Nantmeal’s charm is being so secluded from the bustle of commercial and retail areas. As a result, there are very few restaurants and storefronts within the community and many side-road produce stands. “In the summer, there are a lot of local farmstands,” McFadden says. “Some just use the honor system. You can get eggs, vegetables, watermelon and fresh flowers.” Just Mom’s is a small diner and ice cream shop on the south end of Manor Road known for its extensive sandwich and loaded fries menu. “It’s a great little place to get milkshakes and the famous Philadelphia cheesesteak,” McFadden says. “It’s been around for a long time.” Nearby, Wyebrook Farm is a working farm that maintains a rustic atmosphere in its 18th barn. Visitors can listen to the occasional live music while experiencing a rotating menu that serves meat that was raised right there on the property. For more dining and shopping options, the Morgantown Crossings shopping center above 5 miles north features a Walmart, takeout eateries and health clinics. Nearby, Morgantown Coffee House is a popular spot to have a morning brew. “It’s very trendy,” McFadden says. “It’s like Starbucks, but everything is farm-to-table and fresh.” Public school students living in West Nantmeal begin at Twin Valley Elementary School, which Niche grades a B-plus. They can then progress to Twin Valley Middle School, graded an A. Twin Valley High School, which receives a B-plus Niche grade, offers career-focused programs like Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering course of study. Located right on Manor Road is the West Nantmeal municipal building, and behind that is the West Nantmeal Recreation Area, the only park space in the township. Practices and games are held at the park’s diamonds and athletic fields, and outdoor recreation continues on the sports courts, walking trail and playground. This community gathering space also hosts events throughout the year, including Family Movie Nights and Community Day in September. On the west side of the township is Struble Lake, where kayakers and fishers enjoy the serene calm of the water. This quiet atmosphere extends throughout the entire town, as some sections of West Nantmeal are rated a perfect 100 sound score. One of West Nantmeal’s most historic landmarks is located on Isabella Road, which is named after the Isabella Furnace that contributed to America’s economic development through iron products like kitchen utensils and cannonballs. What was once the Ironmaster’s Mansion is now occupied by the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, the Victorian Gothic architecture appearing castle-like. Today, the Daughters use the space as a retreat center and for senior citizen housing, welcoming the community to attend events, including the Strawberry Festival in June. “There’s also a pool there that they use for swim lessons,” McFadden adds. Another scenic establishment in town is Brandywine Manor House, a popular wedding venue originally built in the 18th century. Interstate 76, or Pennsylvania Turnpike, runs through the north side of West Nantmeal, on which commuters drive about 45 miles to get to Philadelphia. There are no bus stops or train stations around the township, so residents will need a vehicle.

In Wallace, winding country roads lead past lush greenery, open fields and the occasional stone fence reminiscent of rural New England. “It’s out of the Main Line suburban sphere; it’s a bit more of a rustic community,” says Hobson Pusey, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach who has over 20 years of experience in the industry. “A lot of folks were born and raised in the area and stay there. There are a couple of attractions aside from the rolling landscape, including Marsh Creek State Park.” While Wallace embraces its serene countryside setting and offers proximity to expansive green spaces, the town is also seeing an influx of new construction. “Wallace has probably five new developments right now. There used to be a lot of farms out there, but not so much anymore,” Pusey says. Residents continue to enjoy quiet living amongst the town’s growth, and Wallace’s central location in Chester County offers proximity to major thoroughfares and commutes to bigger cities such as Philadelphia. Single-family homes in Wallace embrace the township’s rustic charm with tree-lined lots that average about 2 acres. Homebuyers will find bucolic farmhouses, sprawling ranch-style estates, Colonial Revivals and custom-built homes tucked at the end of private driveways. Many properties feature outdoor amenities like spacious back decks, in-ground pools and babbling creeks where residents can observe wildlife and enjoy the sounds of water. Newer construction includes planned communities like the Trails at Marsh Creek and Spring Mill, where new traditional homes offer open floorplans and sit closer together on quarter-acre lots. Prices in the township range from around $400,000 for a smaller ranch-style home to about $1 million for a custom-built house. “Like everywhere else, there is a lot of development,” Pusey says. “It’s getting to be a mix between preserved land and new developments. They’re trying to keep that rustic feel.” The Wallace Township Historical Commission works to protect the community’s unique character, including the preservation of 19th-century houses of worship such as the Glen Moore United Methodist Church and the Fairview Presbyterian Church. With five public parks in Wallace Township, residents have access to a lighted baseball field, a basketball court, two tennis courts and a playground. The township is also home to Springton Manor Farm, a 306-acre park listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its agricultural significance. Attractions include an agriculture museum, a demonstration farm with over 30 animals and 7 miles of multi-use trails for hikers and horseback riders to explore. Surrounded by rolling hills and mature trees, the Manor House at Springton Manor Farm is a popular wedding venue. Less than a 10-mile drive south of Wallace Township is Marsh Creek State Park, where the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake attracts motorboaters, kayakers and anglers with a steady supply of largemouth bass. Just north of Marsh Creek State Park is the Creekside Raceway, a paved kart racing course where the Creekside Raceway Kart Club competes on most Saturday nights. Golf lovers can head less than 5 miles northeast to The Golf Zone Family Fun Center and practice their swings at the indoor driving range or on the outdoor 18-hole mini golf course. Wagenseller Park has a covered pavilion in the heart of town, making it a popular spot for community gatherings. Festivities range from summertime concerts and movie nights to annual events like the Wallace Winter Wonderland and Community Day. Held each September, Community Day celebrates the township’s anniversary with a parade, live music and carnival games. Residents can also stop by local farms for seasonal festivities, with Bernard’s Tree Farm selling Christmas trees and Smith Produce Farm hosting a corn maze and haunted house each fall. While shopping and dining options are limited in Wallace, the township’s few mom-and-pop shops are deeply ingrained into the fabric of the community. The cozy dining room at Mean Bean Coffee and Cream provides a place for neighbors to gather over cups of fresh-brewed coffee and bowls of hand-scooped ice cream. Far Away Farm Country Corner embraces the farm-to-table movement, and the rustic café uses local ingredients to serve up homestyle dishes for breakfast and lunch. “Those are the only two food options in town, so they’re pretty popular,” says Elise Grashof, the Assistant Township Manager of Wallace. Residents can pick up farm-fresh goods at the Hidden Horseshoe Produce stand, while big-box stores like ACME Markets are about a 6-mile drive away in Upper Uwchlan. Students attend the Downingtown Area School District, which earns an A from Niche and has an average student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. Springton Manor Elementary School and Downingtown Middle School are rated an A, while Downingtown High School West earns an A-minus grade. The high school offers several career exploration programs that partner with Delaware County Community College and Temple University to give teens hands-on experience in fields such as health sciences, education and sports business. Residents are largely car-dependent as the town lacks a public transit system, and most of its winding country roads do not have sidewalks. “Even though it’s a bit out of the suburban Philadelphia bubble, it’s still very accessible to a lot of the main arteries,” Pusey says. Pennsylvania Route 282 bisects the community and connects residents to nearby townships in Chester County. For longer trips, Interstate 76 runs along the township’s northern edge and leads about 40 miles east to Philadelphia. Philadelphia International Airport is about a 45-mile drive from Wallace.