Hamilton Township offers rural charm and a historic presence
In the rustic countryside of East Pennsylvania, Hamilton Township offers a sense of seclusion where suburban-like amenities aren’t far. “Hamilton Township is more rural than surrounding areas, with a farm-like feel in what is mostly a series of valleys that differs greatly from the nearby Pocono Mountains,” says Xander Weidenbaum, a local Realtor and President of Redstone Run Realty. “Outside the commercial corridor in the very northern tip, it’s largely rural with rolling hills and small farms. It also tends to have less regulation and lower taxes than neighboring Stroud Township, even though they share a school district. And from a housing perspective, lot sizes tend to be larger and more spread out.” The pastoral Monroe County town is home to about 8,500 residents, most of whom appreciate a slower-paced life with vintage charm and natural green spaces. The community takes measures to preserve both historic sites, including a grist mill and 1700s farmstead, and local animal species, including the ones found in Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Natural spaces help to preserve local wildlife and ancient cultures
Hamilton Township’s rural landscape lends itself to several green spaces, from hunting lands and shooting ranges to nature preserves. On the town’s south side, Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge helps to conserve the area’s migratory birds and other species like turtles, black bears and woodchucks. In addition to hosting nature walks and other educational programs, the wildlife refuge hosts an annual fall festival that offers children’s activities and classic fall flavors. On the town’s north side, Glen Brook Golf Club is a public municipal golf course with an 18-hole fairway and membership options.
The bucolic town features historic sites, including a grist mill built in 1730 at Old Mill Preserve. Visitors can observe the fieldstone-style old mill from a drawbridge over McMichael Creek, which connects pedestrians to a walking path along the water. Just east of town, Columcille Megalith Park draws in a crowd of both spiritualists and history buffs. “It was privately started as a place of reflection and calm,” Weidenbaum says. “But now it’s open to the public and observes things like the summer solstice and other earthly celebrations.” The Celtic sanctuary features 3-billion-year-old stones that are placed carefully throughout the park and walking trails that connect visitors to the Appalachian Trail.
Historic sites celebrate the area’s Pennsylvania Dutch heritage
The old grist mill and the ancient Celtic sanctuary aren’t the only historic landmarks in Hamilton Township. Near the mill, the Fenner Snyder Homestead, built in 1805, showcases Pennsylvania Dutch antiques and artwork. Located on the other side of town, Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm also illustrates Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Beginning as a farm in the 1760s, the vintage estate is now used as an open-air museum with live reenactments of older times. The farm also hosts family-friendly events all year, including a craft fair, a harvest festival and a Halloween-themed murder mystery. Centrally located in the community, Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church is a fieldstone-style church that was built in 1829 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. “The property features a number of stone farmhouses that date to the early 1800s,” Weidenbaum adds.
Housing options vary from ranch-styles to Colonial-styles with acreage
Locals typically live along narrow, two-lane country roads lined with dense forests of oak and pine trees, some opening to reveal open fields. “Hamilton Township has a lot of older farm-style or rural housing, but there’s also a mix of newer 1990s to 2000s builds in subdivisions with large lots,” Weidenbaum says. Ranch-style and raised-ranch style homes usually offer 1,200 to 2,000 square feet of space, with price tags between $200,000 and $400,000. Colonial Revival estates that sit on 2 to 10 acres can have 3,000 to 5,000 square feet of space. These larger properties, often located in desirable subdivisions like Buck Ridge or Brookside, can cost from $500,000 to more than $1 million. “Beautiful Cherry Creek and Appenzell Creek both run through the township, creating a nice natural landscape and opportunities for exploring and fly fishing,” Weidenbaum says. “Generally speaking, Hamilton Township tends to have a higher price per square foot than the majority of Monroe County.” Buyers interested in purchasing land can plan to spend from about $18,000 for a half-acre to $400,000 for 4 acres.
Students can attend Stroudsburg schools and East Stroudsburg University
The Stroudsburg Area School District, which receives a B-plus rating from Niche, serves students living in Hamilton Township. Young learners can begin at Hamilton Township Elementary School before progressing to Stroudsburg Middle School, both of which receive a B rating. Students can then move on to Stroudsburg Junior High School, which has a B-minus, before ultimately graduating from Stroudsburg High School, which holds a B-plus and is ranked by Niche as the No. 1 high school in Monroe County.
Graduates can continue their education at nearby East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. The public institution offers 49 undergraduate programs, with particularly popular courses of study in education and business, 20 master’s programs and two doctoral programs.
Residents can dine in Hamilton Township and run errands in Stroudsburg
While Hamilton Township offers select options for dining, residents typically head to nearby Stroudsburg for grocery runs and other errands. “Most people tend to go to Stroudsburg for the major daily conveniences, or they go southwest to Brodheadsville, which has the world’s largest ShopRite,” Weidenbaum says. “In Hamilton Township, people like the Stone Bar Inn. And they also like The Lakeside, a restaurant at Saylor’s Lake in Saylorsburg.” While both options offer American fare, Stone Bar Inn is more elevated, and The Lakeside is a more casual spot.
U.S. Route 209 and State Route 33 serve the car-dependent community
U.S. Route 209 and State Route 33 are Hamilton Township’s main thoroughfares, intersecting at the town's center. Route 33 leads residents to Lehigh Valley International Airport, about a 25-mile drive south, and to Philadelphia International Airport, around 75 miles past there. Commuters can also access Interstate 80 from the northern edge of town. The community is car-dependent, as no public bus or train service the area.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
