Bucolic borough in Chester County
While Elverson spans just over one square mile, the borough is brimming with character in everything from its historic homes to its quaint Main Street and local parks. “The reason people move to Elverson is because it has a very small-town feel,” says Esther Prosser, a Realtor with Stoltzfus Realtors who was born and raised in the borough. “People are getting away from the traffic and the hustle and bustle of more populated areas. More than that,” I gotta say it’s a neighborly town where people get to know each other.” The community is tucked among the rolling hills of Chester County and was settled near the region’s 19th-century iron mines, which can be seen today at the nearby French Creek State Park. While Elverson feels wonderfully secluded, Interstate 76 provides convenient access to nearby cities such as Philadelphia.
Storied homes in the Elverson Historic District
Elverson has both historic homes and newer construction, reflecting its transformation from a rural town center into a serene, suburban borough. The Elverson Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and centers around Main Street. Victorian-style homes date to the turn of the 20th century and feature columned front porches, finished attics and recent renovations that blend modern conveniences with traditional charm. Homebuyers will also find traditional bungalows and American Foursquare houses built in the 1900s. Further east is Summerfield at Elverson, a residential community with 320 homes built between 1990 and 2002. “That’s a community that put Elverson on the map,” Prosser says. “It doubled the size of the borough.” New traditional single-family homes and townhouses sit along tree-lined streets, and all properties feature attached garages and basements. Prices for single-family homes in the borough range from about $335,000 to $500,000, while townhouses in Summerfield sell for anywhere from $365,000 to $425,000. Limited inventory creates a fast-paced market in Elverson, with homes on average selling in less than two weeks on the market.
STEM-based program at Twin Valley High School
Students attend the Twin Valley School District, which Niche ranks as the third-best school district in Berks County. Kids in kindergarten through fourth grade attend the B-plus-rated Twin Valley Elementary Center before moving on to the A-minus-rated Twin Valley Middle School for fifth through eighth grade. Twin Valley High School earns a B-plus and partners with Project Lead the Way to offer a rigorous pre-engineering program with an emphasis on project-based learning. Teens can also enroll in half-days at the nearby Berks Career & Technical Center and gain hands-on experience in fields such as construction, healthcare and more.
Interstate 76 connects residents to Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Route 23 bisects Elverson and connects residents to major thoroughfares such as Interstate 76, also known as the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The thoroughfare runs east-west through Pennsylvania and offers convenient commutes to Philadelphia, about a 50-mile drive east. Rover is a countywide transportation service that uses a reservation system to provide shuttle service to residents traveling around Chester County. Philadelphia International Airport is about a 60-mile drive away.
Small businesses and convenient shopping center along Main Street
Locally known as Main Street, Pennsylvania Route 23 hosts a variety of local businesses. “The one restaurant we have in the borough is Giovanni’s Pizza & Pasta. We love that place,” Prosser says. “We’re hoping that more people look at Elverson as a destination, but in the country, change happens slowly.” Side Street Salvage sells one-of-a-kind items ranging from antique furniture to kitschy home décor, while Elverson Supply Co. is a local institution that’s been supplying hardware products and home repair services to the community for over 140 years. A bit further west along Main Street, Morgantown Coffee House serves a seasonal menu highlighting ingredients from local farms and coffee roasters. The Morgantown Crossings shopping center includes casual restaurants like Taco Fest and chain retailers such as Lowe’s and Walmart, which is the closest grocery store to Elverson.
A variety of sports courts at Livingood Park
Livingood Park features softball fields, a soccer pitch, a volleyball court and a playground for kids to explore. A paved trail loop connects outdoor exercisers to all the park’s amenities, including a covered gazebo where neighbors gather for summer concerts. The borough also has plans to develop a local trail system. “We have an active trails committee. I think part of the benefits of living in Elverson is it is very pedestrian friendly,” Prosser says. Residents are less than a 5-mile drive from the expansive French Creek State Park. Over 35 miles of multi-use trails weave through acres of dense woodlands and open fields, while two freshwater lakes are stocked with a steady supply of fish. The park is also home to the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, a 19th-century iron plantation where locals can browse museums and tour historic buildings. Just east of Elverson is the French Creek Golf Club, where members have access to an 18-hole championship golf course.
Annual parade travels down Main Street
The borough hosts various community events throughout the year. Neighbors gather in Livingood Park each summer for Elverson Day, an all-day celebration that begins early in the morning with the Elverson 5k and ends at dusk with a dazzling fireworks show. In October, the Elverson Parade draws crowds of people to Main Street to watch as floats from local businesses pass by.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
