The placid waters of Lake Arthur extend into the northern half of Franklin Township, a rural community whose country roads wind among rolling farmland and thickets of mature trees. Surrounding the lake is Moraine State Park, which boasts over 1 million visitors each year, making it the most visited attraction in all of Butler County. The park offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, and Franklin Township itself embraces a slower pace of life with a population of just under 2,600. With proximity to hiking trails and sandy beaches, residents also have access to U.S. Route 422 and are about 12 miles west of shopping and dining in the city of Butler.
Franklin is close to Lake Arthur Golf Club, a favorite spot for local golfers.
Friends relax and take in scenic views at Moraine State Park near Franklin.
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Fishing, hiking and hunting at Moraine State Park
Covering 16,725 acres, Moraine State Park stretches into the northwestern corner of Franklin Township. The park surrounds Lake Arthur, where two sandy beaches are popular destinations for swimming and paddle boating. It’s also a warmwater fishery stocked with walleye and channel catfish. The state park features nearly 30 miles of hiking trails, 20 miles of horseback riding trails and 6 miles of mountain biking trails, some of which are used for cross-country skiing when it snows. The Glacier Ridge Trail is part of the larger North Country National Scenic Trail system, which passes through Butler County as part of its journey across nearly 5,000 miles in eight different states. Hunting is permitted in Moraine State Park during established seasons, and native game includes deer, pheasants and waterfowl. “There are also a ton of golf courses in Butler County, so golfing is very popular,” says Geoff Smathers, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Golfers have access to a public 18-hole course at the Lake Arthur Golf Club, while All About Golf offers a 9-hole executive course and driving range.
Moraine State Park offers Franklin residents scenic trails and outdoor recreation.
Kayaking, fishing, and hiking draw visitors to Moraine State Park near Franklin.
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A mix of housing styles with sprawling lots
Franklin Township offers a variety of housing styles and options. Ranch-style and split-level homes date to the mid-1900s, while more recent construction includes New Traditional homes built throughout the early 2000s. Spacious lots offer residents plenty of privacy and average just under 2 acres. Home prices typically range from $250,000 for older ranch-style homes to $400,000 for larger New Traditional houses. Homebuyers will also find custom-built estates that include everything from Colonial Revivals to rustic log cabins, which can sell for anywhere from $350,000 to $580,000. “We’re also seeing a lot of new condo developments coming in,” says Sheryl Eagle, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty who has nearly 20 years of experience in the industry. That includes the Chestnut Grove subdivision, a gated active adult community where prices for carriage-style duplex condos range from around $280,000 to $385,000. Franklin Township has an overall CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Franklin housing includes mid century ranches and newer traditional homes with generous yards.
Homes in Franklin often sit on large parcels, offering privacy and room to breathe.
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Attractions at the Big Butler Fair and Butler Farm Show
Residents are less than 4 miles from the Big Butler Fairgrounds, where over 100,000 people gather each year for the Big Butler Fair. The festivities last nine days and typically take place over the Fourth of July. As the largest fair in western Pennsylvania, it features carnival rides, live country music, Fourth of July fireworks and more. While summer is its busiest season, the fairgrounds are a year-round destination. “The fairgrounds are a really popular local amenity. People visit from all over during the holidays to drive through the light show,” Eagle says. Known as the Holiday Spectacular, the drive-through show features dazzling lights and festive music. Franklin Township is also less than 10 miles from the grounds of the Big Butler Farm Show. The weeklong farm show takes place in August and highlights the county’s agricultural community with livestock shows, tractor pulls and auctions for homegrown goods.
Fair games and food vendors get ready to welcome Franklin visitors at The Big Butler Fair.
Animals take center stage at The Big Butler Fair, a favorite event near Franklin.
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Dual enrollment program at Slippery Rock Area High School
Franklin Township is part of the Slippery Rock Area School District, which Niche ranks as the third-best school district in Butler County. Kids can begin their education at Moraine Elementary School, which earns an A-minus from Niche. Slippery Rock Area Middle School scores a B-plus, and Slippery Rock Area High School receives a B. The district’s College in the High School program allows teens to take dual-enrollment courses through the University of Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University. All college-level courses are taught at the high school at a fraction of the cost of in-state tuition.
Students at Slippery Rock Area Elementary School learn in Franklin’s calm setting.
Slippery Rock Area High School serves local students living in Franklin.
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Shops and restaurants along the U.S Route 422 corridor
Shopping and dining are limited in Franklin Township, but there are several options in the southern half of town along US 422. For the essentials, there’s Dollar General and Fairground Market. Local hangouts include Michael’s Restaurant, a casual spot serving a mix of Italian and American classics. A bit further east along the highway, Longhorn Corral features a wood-paneled bar where residents gather for weekly karaoke nights and motorcycle meetups. On the way into Butler, US 422 passes by shopping centers such as the Butler Commons and Moraine Pointe Plaza. Both shopping plazas are less than 10 miles from Franklin Township and include chains such as Sam’s Club, Giant Eagle Supermarket, Home Depot, Target and Walmart.
The Fairground Market offers everyday essentials for residents of Franklin.
Walmart is where residents of Franklin shop for groceries.
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Access to U.S. Route 422 and distance to Pittsburgh
The township lacks public transportation and is heavily car-dependent. US 422 winds through the countryside and provides access to major thoroughfares such as Interstate 79, which is about 10 miles west and is the primary north-south thoroughfare in western Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh is about a 48-mile drive away via I-79, and residents are around 58 miles from Pittsburgh International Airport.
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Elon Walton
Video By
Max Gilmore
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