Serenity and history in the Snack Food Capital of the World
The growing community of Hanover sits in the Susquehanna River Valley. Founded in the 1720s, this Pennsylvania city’s roots run deep, from serving as the country's temporary capital during the American Revolutionary War to witnessing the opening skirmishes of the Confederate Army’s Gettysburg campaign. In the early 1900s, the city’s location in the Pretzel Belt and the establishment of snack food giants such as Utz Brands earned it the nickname of the “Snack Food Capital of the World.” Today, the city’s home prices – lower than others in the region – have attracted growth and Maryland commuters, though the community’s quaint identity persists. “Hanover’s a peaceful, serene community that still has a small-town feel,” says Stacey White, Realtor with Coldwell Banker and a long-time city resident. “We have a lot of intergenerational families who have kept the same home, but we’re seeing an influx of people from Maryland because they can get more of a house here for a less expensive price.”
Hanover Historic District is a densely populated suburban town in central Pennsylvania.
A statue to remember the Battle of Hanover stands in the Hanover Historic District.
In Hanover Historic District, the Utz outlet store is loaded with bargains on its snacks.
Hanover Historic District offers a host of shops all within walking distance of each other.
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Vintage homes in the Hanover Historic District
The median home price in Hanover is around $290,000, which is roughly $120,000 below the national median. On average, homes stay on the market for approximately 32 days.
The Hanover Historic District offers vintage homes and modern constructions. Colonial Revivals and American Four Squares from the 1880s through the 1920s are located closer to downtown and are characterized by sturdy building materials and ornate decorations such as columns and dentils. Split-levels and ranch-style homes from the 1950s are farther out, while New Traditional constructions are popping up on Hanover’s periphery. Prices for single-family homes run from $150,000 to $430,000, though larger homes from the 2020s can reach $700,000. Townhouses are peppered around Hanover and priced between $60,000 and $350,000.
Four Square homes with small yards are common throughout Hanover Historic District.
Colonial Revival homes can be found throughout Parkville.
Split level homes are one of the more common style of houses found in Parkville.
Traditional homes often have two car garages in Hanover Historic District.
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Local restaurants, a farmers market and the North Hanover Mall
Local restaurants, shops, pubs and brewing companies fill Hanover’s downtown. The culinary scene revolves around American fare, Latin American food and seafood. Additional eateries are farther down Pennsylvania State Route 94 in Parkville and in the community’s suburbs. There are more shops and businesses for residents to explore at the North Hanover Mall, anchored by Burlington and Rural King, a supply store for farmers and outdoorspeople. The Markets at Hanover is an indoor farmers market that is open year-round. Wares available include handcrafted furniture, deli meats, locally grown produce and brick oven pizza.
Enjoy a flight of beer with friends at the Fat Bat Brewing Company in Hanover.
Try the Maryland crab cake and other seafood at Mike's Crab Shack in Hanover.
Dutch Country Restaurant specializes in Dutch comfort food and is a go to spot in Parkville.
Rural King is a farmers and sporting goods store located at the Nort Hanover Mall.
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Boating, fishing and playing at Codorus State Park
The Borough of Hanover manages 10 parks and trails. The Moul Avenue Recreation Complex features two diamonds for baseball and softball and a spacious field, the site of events such as an Independence Day fireworks show and the Hanover Chili Cookoff. Spanning nearly 3,500 acres, Codorus State Park sits just a few miles east of Hanover. Boaters and anglers can take advantage of Lake Marburg, which the park encircles, while other visitors come to play a game of disc golf, explore biking and hiking trails, hunt game species such as deer and pheasant or stay the night at one of 190 campsites. Long Arm Reservoir offers additional recreational activities for boaters, such as kayak, paddleboat, and canoe rentals. The North Hanover YMCA invites locals to stay in shape by swimming in the pool, exercising in the gym or playing sports such as basketball and volleyball. The Hanover Trolley Trail extends 3 miles from Moul Field and will eventually run to Spring Grove.
Moul Park has several baseball diamonds, perfect for a game with friends.
Two local fishermen try their luck along the shores of Lake Marburg in Cordorus State Park.
Boat ramps at Cordorus State Park provide boaters easy access to Lake Marburg.
The 1,275-acre Lake Marburg has 26 miles of shoreline at Codorus State Park.
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The Hanover Halloween Parade
Hanover is known for its annual parades, which are so popular that the city has prohibited locals from placing their lawn chairs on the sidewalk too early. Costumed children and decorated floats march through the streets during the Hanover Halloween Parade in late October, while the Christmas Parade follows Santa to his cabin, where he meets with children.
The Hanover Public Schools District is well-rated
Approximately 2,000 students attend the five schools of the Hanover Public Schools District, which receives an overall B-plus from Niche. Hanover Senior High is the district’s sole high school and B-plus-rated. Private schools in the area include St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, which usually has roughly 150 students and a 9:1 student-teacher ratio.
Hanover Middle School has 798 students in grades 5-8.
Hanover Street Elementary School has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
Students head to Hanover Senior High School for grades 8-12.
St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School - McSherrystown Campus serves grades 3-8.
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Commuting to Maryland or working in the Pretzel Belt
Rabbit Transit bus routes 20N, 20S and 22N carry residents around town, while route 16 heads up to York. Pennsylvania Route 94 runs through Hanover, with the Maryland state line just a 7-mile drive south. Baltimore is 45 miles south by car, and Washington, D.C., is another 30 miles. “Some people commute for work, but a lot of people stay here and work at our many family-owned businesses,” White says.
Home to Utz, Snyder’s and smaller businesses such as Revonah Pretzels, Hanover’s nickname of the “Snack Food Capital of the World” is well-deserved. However, the community’s economy has diversified, including that of other employers such as Elsner Engineering Works and Conewago Enterprises. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hanover is centrally located within the borough and a major employer.
The Hanover Borough Police Department keeps residents informed
According to the Hanover Borough Police Department, the city saw a 2% decrease in violent crimes between 2022 and 2021. Property crimes increased 27% over the same period. Still, available data collected by the FBI for the year of 2022 reports that violent and property crime rates remain well below state and national averages. Through the Crimewatch mobile app, the police department keeps residents updated on incidents and happenings.
Hanover experiences four seasons with mild, humid summers and cool, snowy winters.
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