Frackville was founded as a coal town surrounded by mountains
As the name suggests, Frackville was founded in the early 20th century due to the coal mining industry. Miners lived in town and commuted to the nearby Mahanoy Plane on Broad Mountain, where 50,000 tons of coal were extracted daily. Today, the Schuylkill County borough maintains its mainly residential status, with a few restaurants and parks throughout the community. “People who live in Frackville typically stay in Frackville,” says Realtor Jill Saunders with Saunders Real Estate, who grew up in the area. “It’s in a beautiful area, surrounded by the mountains.”
Most homes are modest and more affordable than nearby areas
Modest row homes built during the town’s coal mining era are Frackville’s most common housing type. They typically feature small front porches and can be detached from or attached to their neighbors. For under $100,000, homebuyers can find a property needing significant repairs. Move-in-ready standalone homes or duplexes can range in price from $100,000 to $200,000, while bungalows and ranch-style houses that are a bit removed from the town center can cost between $210,000 and $350,000. “It’s going up the grade in terms of being an investor’s market,” Saunders says.
Local restaurants serve Dutch fare, pizza and baked goods
Restaurants are scattered throughout town, with a large concentration along Lehigh Avenue. Black Diamond Bar & Restaurant serves large portions of American fare, from nachos and wings to cheeseburgers and fried shrimp. Nearby Dutch Kitchen offers classic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes, like grilled liver, turkey croquettes and veal cutlets. Anthony’s Pizza is a go-to for takeout, while nearby Spring Street Bakery sells bread made from scratch and handmade baked goods and pastries. There’s a Boyer’s Food Markets grocery store in town, and Saunders notes that residents will drive about 5 miles south to St. Clair for big-box shopping. “They have a Walmart, Home Depot and all kinds of restaurants,” she says. “Everything you need is there.”
Students attend North Schuylkill School District
The North Schuylkill School District serves Frackville students. The district includes two schools, one that educates first through sixth graders and another for seventh to 12th grade students. North Schuylkill Elementary School gets a C from Niche, and North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School receives a C-plus. The high school offers various clubs and activities, including Art Club, Robotics Club, Yearbook and more.
Frackville parks offer basketball, tennis and swimming
Frackville has a couple of parks. Arch Street Park offers a lighted basketball court and fenced-in play area for children. Nearby Memorial Park and Pool Complex is a bit larger, with more expansive playgrounds. It also features a basketball court and a tennis court, as well as the Frackville Community Pool, which has a diving board and a slide. There’s also a youth baseball complex in the northern part of town.
Interstate and state routes connect Frackville to nearby towns
Frackville is car-dependent. U.S. Interstate 81 is just south of the community and runs through much of Appalachia, from Tennessee to the Canadian border. Pennsylvania state Route 61 cuts through the community and leads toward other small towns in the area. Harrisburg is about 60 miles southwest, Philadelphia is 105 miles southeast, and Pittsburgh is about 260 miles west. For air travel, Harrisburg International Airport is about 67 miles away.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
