Guilford provides a suburban feel near historic Chambersburg
In southern Pennsylvania, the small town of Guilford offers a slice of suburbia along with commuting convenience. “Guilford is a more sought-after location in Franklin County,” says Jeremy Burkholder, a local Realtor with JAK Real Estate who was born and raised in nearby Chambersburg. “It’s close enough to Chambersburg to be involved in the action, but it’s still away from the hustle and bustle. And even though the highway is right there, the homes are tucked away from that.” Residents generally live on quiet, tree-lined streets, but have access to a plethora of retail and eateries along Lincoln Highway. Chambersburg, about 4 miles west on the highway, has a strong historic presence stemming from its progressive contributions during the Civil War. The town was burned by Confederates, and that action has become part of the town’s identity, an event memorialized at the downtown Memorial Fountain each July. Civil War history is also commemorated 20 miles east of town, where Gettysburg has become a popular tourist destination. While the days of old are preserved around Guilford, the town itself, home to about 3,000 residents, has a more community-minded atmosphere.
Shopping centers and eateries line Lincoln Highway
Guilford offers easy access to nearby shopping along the town’s west side. “The homes are more tucked away from the retail, but the draw is that it’s super convenient to get to it,” Burkholder says. Just off the highway, residents can run errands at Walmart and grab groceries at Grocery Outlet. Guilford Town Square is a shopping plaza modeled after an Old Western town, featuring a wide range of storefronts and restaurants. Kenzo is a popular option for Japanese and Thai cuisine. More centrally located in town, Benny’s is a local favorite for pizza and Italian. And on the south side, Windy Knoll is an expansive indoor and outdoor market selling select grocery items and patio furniture; patrons can also stop by the kitchen for hamburgers and ice cream.
U.S. Route 30 connects commuters to Interstate 81
The main thoroughfare through Guilford is U.S. Route 30, or Lincoln Highway. Residences located near Route 30 are classified as busy on Soundscore, which measures how loud an area is due to environmental factors. Commuters can drive 2 miles west on the highway to reach Interstate 81, which runs north-south. “It’s a commuter-friendly area,” Burkholder says. “Many people use 81 to get to work in Hagerstown or Frederick, south of here, or to Carlisle, north of here." For further destinations, the interstate runs about 65 miles south to Harrisburg International Airport. Guilford is car dependent, as there are no public bus or train services in the community.
Raised ranch-styles and plit-levels sit on neat lots
Off the main drag of Lincoln Highway, quiet and narrow residential roads shaded by oak and maple trees weave and connect. While there are no sidewalks throughout Guilford, most homes include a driveway, keeping the streets clear for strollers and dog walks. “There are two established communities, Guilford Hills North and Guilford Hills South,” Burkholder says. “Both attract families and are desirable.” Homebuyers can find raised ranch-styles and split-levels, most built in the 1970s with recent renovations, as well as Colonial Revivals built as recently as the 2000s. Most properties feature attached garages and finished basements, which add to their 2,000 to 3,000 square feet of interior space. Price tags generally start around $320,000 for a home on a neatly manicured quarter-acre lot to about $520,000 for a home on an acre. Other unique housing designs include 4,500-square-foot rambling ranch-styles on around 2 acres of land with three-car garages, ranging from $650,000 to $850,000.
The family-friendly train at Norlo Park is close by
Residents can head 2 miles east down Lincoln Highway to Norlo Park, a community park with a playground, off-leash dog park and athletic field space. The main attraction, however, is a miniature train that picks up passengers from an old-fashioned station and takes them around the park on actual train tracks. On every other Saturday during the summer, the family-friendly train rides are free. Norlo Park also features The Barn, which was built in 1881 and hosts gatherings like weddings and reunions.
Chambersburg Area schools serve local students
Students can attend public schools in the Chambersburg Area School District, which has approved a $217 million reconstruction project of three area schools. Until the new schools are constructed, learners can begin at Guilford Hills Elementary School, which receives a B rating from Niche and is ranked the No. 1 public elementary school in the county. Students can progress to Chambersburg Area Middle School South and then Chambersburg Area Senior High School, both of which receive a B-minus. Eligible high schoolers can also opt to attend Chambersburg Area Career Magnet School, which holds a B rating and provides a STEM-focused education.
Nearby Gettysburg is home to iconic Civil War sites
About 20 miles east of Guilford is the historic borough of Gettysburg, where visitors can tour Gettysburg National Military Park. The site was a major turning point in the Civil War, and the battle that was fought there is memorialized through indoor and outdoor museums like Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg Museum and Gettysburg National Cemetery – where President Lincoln orated his 1863 Gettysburg Address.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
