Harmony

In 1804, a German Lutheran Separatist founded Harmony as a religious commune where he and his followers could live among one another in unity and, of course, harmony. George Rapp endorsed communal living as a lifestyle and taught, among other things, that the “end times” were near. A couple of centuries since, Harmony’s end is no longer a topic of discussion; indeed, some might even call these the best of times.

Just 29 miles north of Pittsburgh and a smidge above its closest neighbor, Zelienople, Harmony is a National Historic Landmark District that’s been around a long while but lately is coming into its own. As a wave of migration pushes rising numbers of homebuyers north and away from the city, and as neighboring towns like Cranberry to the south grow saturated, house hunters are looking to communities like Harmony as an option. “You get more for your money the further out that you get from Cranberry. And you get more land as well,” says Darian McKinney, a Realtor with Your Town Realty. “You’re a mile from Zelienople where you can find pretty much everything you need. To get into Cranberry on 79, you can be there in 20 minutes or less, and you’re just 30 minutes from downtown.”

Harmony’s about what you’d expect out of a slice of historic Americana. Plenty of porched in two stories, Colonial Revivals across from Capes, and in this tiny town of only 1,300 people, there’s space between the houses to breathe. It’s a quiet nod to how much of America once lived. “It’s a very quaint, historical area with a little, small-town vibe.”

The median price for a home in Harmony is $315,000, with homes topping out in the lower $500,000s and an occasional steal around the mid-$100,000s for houses that require some work. “You can get a three-bedroom ranch from $175,000 and up that may need some updates. $250,000 and up for a home that may need some updates. $250,000 and up for a ranch if it already has updates. For new construction, you’re looking from the high $300,000s to $400,000s,” McKinney says.

Students attend Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School, Evans City Middle School, Ryan Gloyer Middle School and Seneca Valley Senior High School, where 99% of students graduate and 86% are proficient readers according to tests. All are in the award-winning Seneca Valley School District, which Niche rates A-Minus.

The students could learn any number of their history lessons by simply stepping outside or participating in any of the town’s backward-glancing events. Harmony’s non-profit historical society owns eight properties, including the Harmony Museum, which has centuries-old tools used in the town’s development. There are historic cemeteries and a log cabin too. To stroll through town is to take a voyage back in time while living in the present.

The Old Opera House contains Wunderbar Coffee and Crepes and Two Fraus Bakery, which sit beside Wood Street Park, alongside the Connoquenessing Creek. Harmony’s other favorite eatery is probably even better known here and points beyond. Harmony Inn is a tavern and restaurant occupying a reputed haunted mansion. Paranormal enthusiasts from near and far come hoping to catch of glimpse of the spirit world as much as they do a meal.

Keeping alive the spirit of historical Harmony is a big thing around town 365 days of the year, especially New Year’s Day, which arrives earlier here than elsewhere in the United States. That’s because here, these descendants of the Harmonists welcome in the New Year at six p.m. December 31, midnight in Germany, in recognition of the town’s German roots. Harmony’s Silvester Celebration has museum tours, a Christmas Tree Throwing Contest, a pork and sauerkraut dinner, a 5-k and more. It’s a big celebration for a small speck of humanity living together in Harmony.

Photography Contributed By

Patrick Graham

Video By

Curtis Newkirk