A rural area with mountain views and an active community
Jenner Township was a busy place in the early 1900s, with miners moving in from other Somerset County areas to find jobs. The mines closed around the 1970s, and life slowed down, but the know-your-neighbor atmosphere never left. Today, Jenner Township has two boroughs, Jennerstown and Boswell, an active restaurant scene and annual community events that bring neighbors together across the township. “Jenner Township is a nice, quiet area outside the main area of Somerset,” says Karyn Belardi, an experienced Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who specializes in Somerset County. “It’s beautiful and scenic. People move out there for the more rural setting since it’s a nice place to raise a family not far from the Somerset borough.” The township is at the foot of the Laurel Highlands, which makes for stunning views and a space to connect with nature.
Jenner Township has two boroughs, Jennerstown and Boswell.
The Oakbrook Golf Club is a public 18-hole golf course in Jenner.
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State and local parks
Laurel Ridge State Park is 11 miles to the north, with 70 miles of hiking trails that cut through the Laurel Highland’s hills and forested areas. The Laurel Mountain Ski Resort is 7 miles from home and opens its ski slopes every winter. Closer to home, there’s the Oakbrook Golf Club, a public 18-hole golf course in Jenners. Some golfers stop by to get lunch at the Grill Room before hitting the greens. The Boswell Historical Society had a hand in creating Orenda Park. This green space was transformed from an old mine into a park with informational markers about the town’s history, plenty of room to walk among the trees and access to the Quemahoning Creek for catching trout. Jennerstown Community Park is a small open area near the Jenner Area Joint Sewer Authority with playground equipment and a paved basketball court.
Laurel Ridge State Park offers scenic hiking trails.
Jennerstown Community Park is a place for families to bring their kids and play.
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Shopping and dining in Jennerstown or Somerset
While Jenner Township is rural, the local restaurants stay busy. Jennerstown has the most stores and restaurants. The Flyin Lion Pub & Eatery serves classic American dishes for dinner, while the Fat Squirrel down the street serves a Thai fusion menu. The Coal Miner’s Diner stays open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the display case is often full of fresh cakes, pastries and pies. Krause’s Soft Freeze is only open from May to early September and serves sandwiches, wings and a long list of ice cream flavors and slushies. The 1806 House is an antique shop that stocks trinkets, handmade furniture, and decorations from almost every decade. The house itself is an antique, as it was built in 1806 by the first hotel owners in town. The shop also sells locally made items like ground coffee and sweet treats. There’s a Dollar General in Jennerstown and a Family Dollar in Boswell for grabbing small items. For groceries, most drive down 12 miles to Somerset to shop at the Walmart Supercenter or Giant Eagle Supermarket.
The Fat Squirrel is a popular fusion restaurant that mixes Asian and American food for Jenner locals.
There’s a Dollar General in Jennerstown and a Family Dollar in Boswell for grabbing small items.
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Living in a quiet township
Jennerstown and Boswell are boroughs, while Acosta, Gray, Jenner and Ankeny are a part of the greater township. Some residents have stayed in the area to live close to family, and new faces pop in occasionally. “I’ve seen new people moving in,” says Carrie Friedline, a longtime Jennerstown local and president of the Jennerstown Area Recreation & Community Association. “My neighbor’s home sold quickly, and a young couple from Farmington moved in. I’ve lived in Jennerstown for 14 years and in Jenner Township before that. I think it’s a safe area with a tight-knit community, a good school district and a lot of recreation. I love all the seasons here.” Being such a large area, multiple housing styles fill the streets, including bungalows, Cape Cods, ranch homes and split-levels. Most were built between 1900 and 1970, but the occasional 1980s to early 2000s home can be found. Prices generally range from $75,000 to $300,000. Unlike other rural Somerset County areas, most homes in Jenner Township have access to water, sewer and gas lines.
Jennerstown and Boswell are boroughs of Jenner.
Many homes in Jenner were built in the early 1900s to support miners moving in from other counties.
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Catching a student production at North Star High
The North Star School District serves the area, and two of the three schools are located in Boswell. North Star Central Elementary offers prekindergarten through fourth grade and earns a B-plus from Niche. North Star East Middle School is located in Stoystown with fifth through eighth grade and a B-minus. North Star High School earns a C-minus and is known for its theater productions, ranging from traditional plays to musicals.
North Star Central Elementary School has 376 students.
North Star East Middle School serves grades 5-8.
North Star High School serves grades 9-12.
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Events at the Jennerstown Speedway and in town
Every May through September, the Jennerstown Speedway Complex fills with racing fans ready to watch experienced and budding career racers compete for first place. The track was built in the 1920s and has been renovated over the years to become the racing destination it is today. “The speedway is awesome,” Belardi says. “It’s open from early April to about late September, and there are events every Saturday. People come from all over the country to visit the speedway. There are races, but they also host concerts and fundraisers for the local schools.” The Jennerstown Area Recreation & Community Association organizes one of the township’s biggest events — the Great Allegheny Yard Sale. This multiday, community-wide sale happens every July throughout the township. It’s a chance to reduce waste, explore the township and meet neighbors. “We also do a Halloween parade,” Friedline says, “and we do a Christmas tree lighting event with a 40-foot tree. Santa usually rides in on a firetruck and takes pictures with the kids. All our events are free to attend.”
Every May through September, the Jennerstown Speedway Complex fills with racing fans.
The Fish is a sports bar with live music only minutes from Jenner.
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Driving to Johnstown or Somerset
Lincoln Highway, also known as U.S. Route 30, is the main thoroughfare commuters use to head to the Laurel Highlands or Somerset. Those living in the township's southern half use Somerset Pike, which flows 24 miles to Johnstown and 12 miles to Somerset. No bus routes are nearby, so owning a car is essential to get around town. There are multiple churches throughout the township, including the All Saints Church in Boswell and the Jennerstown Community Church.
All Saints is the only Catholic church in Boswell and Jenner.
Jennerstown Community Church is a Methodist congregation that serves much of the community.
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Written By
Rylee Doyle
Photography Contributed By
Ricardo Picon
Video By
Edward Pokoj
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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an experienced agent in this area.
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Looking for a house with lots of space, this 4 bed/2 bath cape cod may be just for you. Hardwood floors in many of the rooms throughout the house. Extras include a detached garage, a covered porch, a full basement waiting to be finished. Close to Stoughton Lake, Laurel Mt. Ski Resort, the Jennerstown Speedway.
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