Falls features a rural setting west of Scranton
On occasion, people accidentally call Falls Township in Wyoming County when they’re trying to reach Pennsylvania’s other Falls Township, a suburb of 35,000 people outside Philadelphia. When the caller begins to complain about traffic lights, the staff at Falls Township in Wyoming County know it’s a mistake, because the community of about 2,000 residents doesn’t have a traffic light. The community’s name comes from the Buttermilk Falls, which powered mills in the 1800s before the area transitioned to an agricultural economy. Farming has decreased in recent years, but the landscape hasn’t changed. “It’s still a country setting,” says Roy Landsiedel, a township supervisor and lifelong resident. “We don’t have big commercial areas. We don’t have big developments.”
Homes spread out on a rural landscape
Gravel driveways and dirt roads branch off the community’s highways and lead to ranch homes, split-levels and Colonial Revivals. Woods, farms and acre-plus lots keep most houses spaced apart from each other. Houses are clustered closer together along Buttermilk Road in the Mill City area, where century-old homes are common. Prices generally range from $40,000 to $265,000, but there are some large homes on 10-plus-acre lots that sell between $320,000 and $525,000.
There are still a few farm properties around, but Landsiedel says they’ve dwindled as it becomes increasingly difficult for families to make a profit from farming. “A lot of the land is open ground. That’s a concern of mine,” he says. “People who own the farms and don’t make any money, how long can they hold on? We’re getting pressured from commercial businesses.” Landsiedel himself used to farm more than 300 acres, but today only maintains 26 acres in his free time.
The CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Tunkhannock Area School District campuses located 5 miles west
Kids can attend public school in Tunkhannock, starting with Tunkhannock Primary Center for kindergarten through second grade. Niche hasn’t scored the primary school, but it gives a C-plus to Tunkhannock Intermediate/STEM Center, which teaches third through seventh grade. B-minus-rated Tunkhannock High School teaches career and technical education courses including Drone Piloting & Aerial Videography, Business Law and Small Engines & Power Equipment.
Boating and fishing on the Susquehanna River, Lake Winola
Falls border the Susquehanna River, and a boat launch on the opposite side of the river in Exeter Township makes a place for boaters and kayakers to put into the river. Less than a mile north of Falls, people launch powerboats, canoes and kayaks from Lake Winola’s public ramp. Anglers fish for trout, and the Water Carnival invites boaters to decorate their vessels, put on costumes and form a lake parade every August. Hikers may park at the boat launch and head across the street to Peck Natural Area, where a trail loops through a forest of towering old-growth pines.
Locally made wine, mead and ice cream in Falls
Amid the community’s farms and woodlands are two tasting rooms. Endless Mountains Vineyards serves wine during tastings, workshops, and the annual Harvest Fest and Grape Stomping in September. People can make reservations for Mountain Meads Co. up the road to sample locally produced meads. Meanwhile, Mill City Dairy Bar has churned homemade ice cream since the ‘60s. Just north of Falls, Marty’s Market carries produce, meat and other groceries. Falls is 5 miles from Clarks Summit, where people can shop at Weis Markets or Gerrity’s Ace hardware store. People on the west side are about 5 miles from Tunkhannock, where there’s a Walmart and Aldi.
Connected by state highways, with I-81 nearby
Locals typically get around the sprawled-out township by car, using highways such as Pennsylvania Routes 92 and 307. In nearby Clarks Summit, drivers can get on Interstate 81 and travel throughout eastern Pennsylvania. The 10-mile drive to Scranton takes about 20 minutes.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
