Franklintown offers a secluded piece of south-central Pennsylvania
In Franklintown, residents can find a home that feels off the beaten path within Pennsylvania’s eighth-largest county. The borough here is home to just about 500 people, but it offers a variety of classic homes in a quiet setting and is within a stone's throw of larger York County communities. “If you wanted a little more of a country setting, Franklintown would be better,” says April Paese, a local Realtor at Inch & Co. Real Estate who covers the Central Pennsylvania region. “And probably more affordable, too.”
Well-established homes can give buyers relative value
Early 1900s homes make up the foundation of Franklintown’s housing stock. Many of the community’s mix of classic bungalows and colonial-style homes are built tightly together along the thoroughfare of Baltimore Street. Some of Franklintown’s side streets, off Baltimore Street, offer homes with bigger lots. The South Heights Townhomes complex features townhouses less than a decade old, for those seeking something more modern. Properties in Franklintown, including townhouses and condos, go for $130,000 to $250,000. “Definitely a mix,” Paese says. “A little more affordable than surrounding towns.”
School clubs encourage physical activity, skill development
The area’s Northern York County School District earns a B rating from Niche. The B-minus-rated Northern Elementary School has a Girls on the Run club, an after-school group for girls in grades 3 through 5 offering running games and the opportunity to participate in a 5K. Northern York Middle also carries a B-minus, and includes a drum club and a ski club. Northern York High gets a B and offers a mock trial and a mixed chorus.
Amenities in other boroughs are minutes away
Baltimore Street runs through the middle of Franklintown and is a direct route 3 miles north to the heart of Dillsburg , a borough of about 2,600 people. Franklintown residents can keep going on Baltimore Street to U.S. Highway 15 for the 15-mile drive to the Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center in the borough of Camp Hill. The Harrisburg International Airport is 25 miles away and has nonstop flights to 17 destinations.
Nearby communities offer a range of eats and more
Businesses in Franklintown include Buffalo Gap Outfitters, a one-stop shop for hunting, fishing and camping equipment, and other outdoor gear. Dillsburg, just north, features a broader selection. The section of Baltimore Street that cuts through Dillsburg is lined with places to eat, like Street Hawg Barbecue, where the brisket is popular. Also, Millennium Pizza, whose subs are a draw. People can grab groceries at Dillsburg’s family-owned Locals’ Market.
Playgrounds to hunting lands, outdoor attractions vary
Residents are close to green spaces like Archie Hess Memorial Park, which has a play area and a pavilion, just off Baltimore Street. The larger Century Park, to the west, has athletic fields and a basketball court. State Game Lands No. 243 is also in this area, a 1,160-acre expanse open to hunting for deer, waterfowl and more.
Dillsburg is a close-by destination for community events
People in Franklintown can make the short trip to Dillsburg not only for shopping and dining, but also for community activities. The Dillsburg Farmers Fair in October is one of the staples there, an over 100-year-old tradition featuring a petting zoo, a parade, live music and more. Locals can also ring in the New Year at Dillsburg’s annual Pickle Drop. The Pickle Drop, a dill pickle-inspired play on Dillburg’s name, is the area’s version of a New Year’s ball drop, and comes complete with fireworks.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
