Rural town beside the Susquehanna River
Tucked into a valley at the base of the Appalachian Mountains, Hollenback is a secluded town dotted with country homes and farms in Luzerne County. “It’s a big agricultural area,” says Randy Hockman, a Realtor with RPA Real Estate with 28 years of experience serving northeastern Pennsylvania. “Fishing and boating are popular on a lot of small private lakes around the Hollenback area.” For outdoor fun, there are several small private lakes around town, as well as protected state game lands for hunting or hiking close to the Susquehanna River. Though agriculture and logging have historically been major industries around the town, residents are close enough to be able to commute to Wyoming Valley employers in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton along Interstate 81. Because of the rural nature of the place—which is a large part of the draw for residents here—locals usually shop at a network of local farms, or they venture out of town to get groceries or grab a bite to eat.
State game lands, golf and private retreats for camping
Several private retreats are located within Hollenback for visitors to rent campsites or engage in outdoor recreation . North of the Susquehanna River is State Game Lands 260, a protected wildlife management area spanning 3,000 acres. The park allows hunting, hiking and cross-country skiing in the snowy Pennsylvania winters. The Susquehanna Riverlands is also north of Hollenback, with paved trails popular for birdwatching or bike riding. The public Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club is seven miles east and features a scenic 27-hole championship course on picturesque woodlands and rolling hills. The club also has a clubhouse for private events, a pro shop, and a dining area.
Single-family homes on spacious country lots
Properties in Hollenback range from $200,000 to $600,000, varying by square footage and lot size. Modest ranch-style homes and farmhouses often sit along winding, hilly roads and come with multi-acre lots, many of which are used for farming. Some land lots can also feature small ponds and lakes for private recreational use. “There's always been a lot of farming around here,” says Hockman. “But recently, some have been moving out, which is opening up the market.”
Local farms for groceries, upscale dining at The Lookout House
Rinehimer Farms is within the town’s borders and sells butcher meats and fresh cheeses, while Pumpkin Hill Produce Farms is a few miles west along Wapwallopen Road for locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Residents can reserve a table at The Lookout House for a fine dining experience close to home. The restaurant serves steak, veal and seafood platters in a rustic, stone cottage. For more extensive shopping and dining, residents can head to Hazleton Township, about 11 miles south, where they’ll find a Walmart Supercenter, Boyer’s Food Market and a variety of stores within the Laurel Mall.
Served by Berwick Area School District
The Berwick Area School District serves the Hollenback area. Salem Elementary, also called East Berwick Elementary, has a B-rating from Niche, while Berwick Area Middle and Berwick Area High both have B-minus ratings. East Berwick Elementary lets students display their art projects on a digital gallery on the school website, so they can have their work available for families and friends to see.
Less than an hour from Scranton or Wilkes-Barre
Along I-81, commuters can reach Wilkes-Barre after a trip of 19 miles, or half an hour, while Scranton is 36 miles away, which typically takes about 45 minutes. “It’s close enough to live without the rush hour congestion around Wyoming Valley, and still close enough to commute,” says Hockman. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is approximately 30 miles away. The nearest hospital is the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton, 19 miles south on Pennsylvania Route 93, which takes around 30 minutes.
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
