Overlooking the Deep Creek Valley and sitting at the foothills of Buckhorn Mountain, Moon Lake was a popular summer resort founded in 1923 by Harvey E. Beury and was named Beury’s Grove and, subsequently, Beury’s Lake. The popular vacation destination offered many activities such as swimming, canoeing and camping at the man-made lake. Since the 1960s, this private lakefront Schuylkill County community has been known as Moon Lake, and while much of the recreation scene remains the same, the lake is now accessible only to community members and their invited guests. Residents here can find peace at the lake or by immersing themselves in nature at one of the surrounding mountain trails. Neighbors are often unassuming and inclusive. “There’s a strong sense of community here,” says Timothy Conrad, who is the president of the Moon Lake Association. “I know just about everyone by their names, and we talk to each other on the streets. We also try to have a get-together every month at the community pavilion; people will bring instruments to play and sing and have a good time.” According to the CAP Index, the area has a crime score of 1 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
The Blue Mountains are always scenic from Moon Lake and visitors are always impressed.
Fishing piers and boating docks offer relaxing spots to soak in the view of Moon Lake.
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Converted and upgraded cabins right by the water
Most houses were built between the 1930s and 1950s, and many started as summer cabins and were later converted into year-round homes. These properties often list for $150,000 to $300,000 and are about 1,300 square feet in size. “More people have become full-time residents, and so most of the cabins have been updated to have heat insulation,” Conrad says. “The outer structures are still the old ones, but the insides have been updated with modern amenities.” Many houses are lakefront and have boat docks and panoramic views of the water. Lots are usually around 3,500 square feet, and many have decks for outdoor downtime and sheds for storage. Occasionally, homebuyers may find a home that sits on 2 acres of land. While not many residents are concerned about flooding, properties in flood zones may require the purchase of flood insurance.
Moon Lake residents can store their non motorized boats at the docks and relax on their yards.
Single family homes on Moon Lake can have unique features like this log cabin style home.
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Abundant outdoor opportunities around Moon Lake
Many residents spend a great deal of their leisure time at the association’s namesake lake. Especially during the summer, people are often out doing non-motorized boating activities such as kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and row boating. “People here also get all excited about wildlife,” Conrad says. “They enjoy walking around the lake and seeing snapping turtles and our permanent residents of Muscovy ducks and Chinese geese. We also have big bass, perch and different types of sunfish populations here for fishing.” Popular area trails include the Spring Creek Trail, which, together with private roads, semi-loops around the lake, and the Victoria Falls Trail offers views of waterfalls and Spring Creek. About 4 miles north, people can access the half-mile-long Senator James J. Rhoades Nature Trail, which is located next to the Bolich Wetland Project. However, hikers should note area trails can also be frequented by local wildlife such as snakes and bears. Those into four-wheel drives can head to one of the several off-road parks around the area, including Famous Reading Outdoors and Rausch Creek Off-Road Park. Sweet Arrow Lake County Park and Locust Lake State Park, both of which are about 20 miles away, offer more recreational opportunities such as fishing, camping and hiking. Knoebels Amusement Resort, the country’s largest free-admission park, is about 20 miles north in Elysburg and has old-fashioned roller coaster rides, campsites, golf courses and pools.
Moon Lake
Locals from Moon Lake can visit Senator James J. Rhodes Nature Trail for a fun hike.
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Restaurants in Ashland
While Moon Lake is primarily residential, people can go to nearby boroughs such as Ashland and Pottsville for food and shopping. Green's Family Restaurant is in nearby Lavelle and serves classic diner food. “The place gets very crowded with locals,” Conrad says. “It’s got nice portions, and it’s considered fancy for the farming community.” Farther north, Ashland is home to Mays Drive-In Restaurant and Boyer's Food Market. “We have a Dollar General just off the road,” Conrad says. “The one here is like a small grocery store and has produce and food.” About 8 miles west, Pitman has a local farmers market called Kenny Stehr and Sons. Those looking for big-box retailers such as Kohl’s or Lowe’s can go to the Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville, which is about 13 miles east.
In Ashland, May's Drive In serves a quarter pound burger and delicious ice cream near Moon Lake.
Moon Lake
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Community events in Moon Lake and Schuylkill County
One of the biggest community events in Moon Lake is the annual July 4th celebration. Residents voluntarily contribute donations for the festival’s fireworks show, and almost everyone comes out for the event. Beginning with the Annual Member Meeting and then followed by the Annual Pot-luck Dinner and the fireworks show at night, Independence Day is a big social event for the entire community. “I had someone come up to me and say they are postponing their knee surgery just so they don’t miss the fireworks show,” Conrad says. “It’s that big of a thing here.” Additional festivals in the county include the annual Schuylkill County Fair, the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival and the Hegins Valley Arts & Crafts Faire.
The Tri-Valley School district
Moon Lake is part of the Tri-Valley School district, and the public school system serves the small farming communities in Eldred, Hegins, Barry, Hubley and Upper Mahantongo townships. Hegins-Hubley Elementary School has a C-minus Niche grade and serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Tri-Valley Junior/Senior High School rates a C and offers courses in business and agriculture. The school also provides dual-enrollment classes and requires high school students to complete 40 hours of community service for graduation.
Parents and faculty have convenient parking at Hegins-Hubley Elementary School.
Tri Valley Junior/Senior High School serves around 441 students grades 7-12.
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Navigating into Pottsville
The nearest city to Moon Lake is Pottsville, which is about 15 miles east and has the Geisinger St. Luke's Care Now–Pottsville and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill. Although the general aviation airport, Schuylkill County Airport, is right next to Moon Lake, most people go to Harrisburg International Airport or Lehigh Valley International Airport for full-service flights, both of which are about 60 miles away. Reading is 50 miles southeast via Pennsylvania Route 61, and Allentown is 60 miles to the east through Interstate 78. The community is very car-dependent, and the nearest highway is Interstate 81.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Charming and rustic 2-Bedroom Cabin Style Home- Retreat in the Woods – Moon Lake Association !Escape to your own peaceful retreat in this beautifully renovated, from bottom up, 2-bedroom, 1 full bath cabin nestled on a serene .57-acre wooded lot with plenty of potential space for your needs out back. Tucked away, in a quiet setting and part of a private lake HOA, you'll enjoy the
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
207
Median Age
47
Population under 18
22.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$73,124
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$90,500
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.8%
College Graduates
24.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.2%
% Population in Labor Force
60.9%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
21/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
