Rural seclusion and small-town charm in Gordon
Gordon, 11 miles northwest of Pottsville, is a Schuylkill County borough offering small-town living and single-family homes with historic architecture. "Gordon is a little more rural," says David Pedron, a Re/Max Five Star Realty broker with over 19 years of experience in Schuylkill County. "You get more space." There are only two restaurants in town, and mature trees and rolling farmlands surround the area. Residents typically shop and dine in Ashland, 4 miles away. "You get a decent house and have a little room around you," Pedron says. "You're not caught up in the inner cities."
Charming single-family homes with Victorian influences
Gordon's streets are lined with ranch-style, farmhouse and Victorian-inspired homes, typically dating to the late 19th century through the late 20th century. "There are all styles," Pedron says. "You can go bi-level, split-level, Colonials — there are all kinds." Many homes have covered patios and are painted in white or pastels like salmon, powder blue and seafoam. Victorian-inspired homes are often symmetrical with details like steeply pitched gable roofs and bay windows. Street parking is common, though some homes have private driveways or the occasional detached garage. Homes rarely go on the market, but their prices range from about $50,000 to $250,000, depending on size, features and renovation needs. The median sale price here is $160,000, compared to the U.S. national median of about $420,000.
Athletics and academics at North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High
Gordon is part of the North Schuylkill School District, rated C-plus overall by Niche. Kids may start at the C-rated North Schuylkill Elementary before moving to North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High. Home of the Spartans, the latter won the 8th Annual Schuylkill United Way High School Football Challenge in 2025 — a county tradition that tests teams' strength and agility before the high school football season begins. Through the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment Program, juniors and seniors may take dual-enrollment courses for credit at in-state colleges, including Lehigh Carbon Community College and Penn State Schuylkill.
Picnics at Gordon Park and the Big Mine Run Geyser
Gordon Park is the go-to green space for a playground trip or picnic under the pavilion. Mahoney Creek flows through the park, where anglers may cast lines for largemouth bass and chain pickerel. There are also a few parks in Ashland, including Eureka Park, which has a baseball diamond. The Active Centralia Smoking Vents are five miles away, caused by an underground coal mine fire that has burned since the mid-20th century. The abandoned mine also contributed to the formation of Big Mine Run Geyser—Pennsylvania's only geyser—which shoots up to 15 feet and stains nearby rocks orange with iron-rich water.
American comfort food in Gordon and Ashland
For a fast-casual meal, Subs-N-Stuff offers comfort eats like Philly cheesesteaks, milkshakes and burgers. Nearby, Chick's Cafe is the borough's watering hole and pool hall with beer on tap and brunch bites like buttermilk pancakes and spicy lemon pepper wings. "The next town over is Ashland, and that's where you grocery shop," Pedron says. Ashland's Centre Street is dotted with locally owned businesses, like The Donut Shop with coffee and pastries, and May's Drive-In with cheeseburgers and butterscotch sundaes. Fabrizio's offers Italian fare, including New York-style slices, calamari and shrimp carbonara. For groceries, there's Boyer's Food Market with pantry essentials, fresh produce and deli cuts.
Venues and tourist attractions in Ashland
About 4 miles away, there are several party and sightseeing venues in Ashland. The Barn is a rustic wooden-frame barnhouse painted in weathered red with white accenting, while the Fountain Springs County Inn is a red-brick banquet hall with Colonial Revival influences. Both are popular for events like wedding receptions and community get-togethers. Since 1962, the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Stream Train has offered guided tours of the Pioneer Tunnel deep in the Mahanoy Mountain and scenic train rides aboard a historic locomotive. The museum hosts occasional events, like the Santa Train in December, and July's Pioneer Day with food trucks, vendors and live music.
Interstate 81, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Lehigh Valley International
Gordon Mountain Road leads out of town, granting access to Interstate 81, 2 miles away, and Pottsville, 11 miles away. Residents are car-dependent when leaving town, but the borough's streets are generally sidewalk-lined. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street is 12 miles away, and Lehigh Valley International Airport is a 61-mile drive.
