Agricultural and Colonial history in the Appalachians
Haines Township is a rural community in the Appalachian Mountains with agricultural heritage and Chistory. Located in Centre County, the town is part of former battlegrounds from the French and Indian War, which took place in the mid-1700s. After the end of the war, 75 German families established homes in the area. The Aaronsburg community was laid out in 1786 by prominent Northumberland merchant Aaron Levy, which is how it got its name. The area originally supplied timber and farmed resources before the late 1800s brought underground mining operations. Today, the community strives to maintain its rural nature and its farming history. “We were the original geographic center of Pennsylvania,” says Beth Cowher, owner of Olde Village Mercantile Co. in Aaronsburg. “I grew up here, it’s really stayed the same over time. They’ve added more businesses, but it’s still just a quaint area with a beautiful drive in.”
Farmhouse-style homes starting in the $150,000s
In the Aaronsburg community, French-colonial-inspired and farmhouse-style homes from the 1800s are clustered together, with smaller lot sizes. Homes in this part of town typically sell for $150,000 to $350,000. Throughout the rest of the township, homebuyers can find log cabins and contemporary-style homes ranging from the mid-1900s to the early-2000s that blend with the area’s rustic vibes. These homes sit on 4- to 40-acre lots and usually sell for $400,000 to $800,000. Haines has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
The majority of homes in Haines are simple and traditional.
Most of Haines is rural, with homes on either large lots or on farms.
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Action sports at Woodward
Woodward is a 48-acre private action-sports park in the center of town with facilities for skateboarding, BMX biking and parkour. The park’s main draw is its slate of weekend and summer camps, but there are also daily open-ride sessions available. In Aaronsburg, the Penns Valley Area Historical Museum has a collection of more than 6,000 artifacts from the region. The 620-acre Poe Valley State Park, located 5 miles south of the township, gives access to 3 miles of trails as well as swimming and boating opportunities in Poe Lake.
Skateboarders from across the world visit Woodward Camp in Haines to perfect their skills.
Bald Eagle State Park has 5900 acres and is a half hour drive from Haines.
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Local vendors at the Dutch Fall Festival
The Dutch Fall Festival is held in Aaronsburg every October. This two-day event includes over 100 local vendors, food, family activities and live music. The Centre County Grange Fair, the only remaining tenting fair in the country, is held in nearby Centre Hall every August. Running for over 150 years, the event sees thousands camping on the fairgrounds in tents or RVs over the course of its nine days. The fair features amusement rides, games, motorsport and equine events, vendors, food trucks and live music from different artists each night.
Penns Valley Area High CTE programs
Students may start at Penns Valley Area Elementary/Intermediate School, which earns a B-plus from Niche for kindergarten through sixth grade. They can then attend Penns Valley Area Junior/Senior High School, which gets a B-minus and offers career and technical education programs in fields like horticulture and carpentry.
Local produce at Olde Village Mercantile Co.
Along West Aaron Square, Olde Village Mercantile Co. sells local breads, meats and produce alongside homemade specialty items like quilts. “In the past, there was a small grocery store, a hair salon and a post office here,” Cowher says. “I just wanted to restore the building and continue its legacy." There’s also a Dollar General in Aaronsburg and Burkholder's Country Market 5 miles west.
Olde Village Mercantile's staff is proud of their connection to their customers.
Burkholder's Market is your go to spot for not only food supplies but gas too.
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Commuting via Penns Valley Road
Haines Township is heavily car-dependent, and residents use State Route 45 to get in and out of the area. The closest airport is State College Regional, which is located 25 miles west. The Mount Nittany Medical Center is the nearest hospital, also located 25 miles west.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
Photography Contributed By
Ed Messenger
Video By
Luke Mancari
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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Endless possibilities await on this unique 5.64-acre property! Perfectly situated as a weekend getaway, a Penn State game-day escape, or the future site of your dream home, this property is ready for you to start enjoying the Woodward area today. The property features two functional, finished structures with electricity. The first is a cozy sleeping cabin with warm wood-paneled interiors and
Christopher BickfordKeller Williams Advantage Realty
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