Kane offers an array of amenities in a small-town package
Located just beyond the Allegheny National Forest, Kane is a northwest Pennsylvania outpost that punches above its weight. This borough, home to just about 3,400 people, offers an eclectic dining scene, its own school system and is close to outdoor recreation. That’s all without sacrificing the calm atmosphere at the basis of life here. “A lot of people want to come back to their roots,” says local Realtor Jaime Nuhfer, who’s with ERA Team Real Estate and has nearly 20 years of industry experience. “Or they like the small town and what the community has to offer, as far as the outdoor recreational piece.”
Classic homes give buyers an assortment of options
Most of Kane’s houses were built between 1900 and 1920. The area’s sidewalk-lined streets showcase the gable-front cottages, colonial and Foursquare architectural styles. Properties are relatively close on lots from one-tenth to one-quarter of an acre. Homes needing some TLC can sell for $20,000 to $40,000, but most houses sell for $70,000 to $160,000.
Students can explore interests early in Kane Area schools
The Kane Area School District carries a B-minus rating from Niche. Kane Area Elementary also gets a B-minus, and its fifth graders can participate in extracurricular activities including band, chorus and orchestra programs. The B-rated Kane Area Middle has a Science Olympiad team and a school newspaper. The B-minus-rated Kane Area High offers career and technical education courses in agriculture and coding.
Dining and shopping thrive along Kane’s central corridor
Fraley Street is the destination for dining and shopping in Kane, full of brick Italianate-style buildings with glass storefronts. Several of the restaurants and shops here opened over the last decade. “Kane’s been doing a great job at trying to bring the community together and working together to build it up,” Nuhfer says. “They’ve been doing a great job at opening these shops up. Each shop helps the other, and they’re more than willing to jump in at community events and go the extra mile.” Fraley Street’s Table 105 opened in 2018 and is popular for its pizzas, crafted from hand-tossed dough. Root Bar opened in 2022, a coffee shop with seasonal specials like lavender iced coffee in the summer and pumpkin spice lattes in the fall. Pepe’s Pizzeria is one of the stalwarts on this stretch, around since 1987 and hard to miss with its bold blue, gold and red facade.
Locals can scratch their retail itch on Fraley at spots like The Crooked Hem, which opened in 2021 and specializes in women’s clothing. Chickie & Co. debuted in 2020 and carries everything from jewelry to baked goods. There’s a Tops farther north on Fraley for groceries.
Outdoor recreation ranges from hiking and boating to trout fishing
Kane residents are within 20 miles of accessing the Allegheny National Forest and the Kinzua Bridge State Park. The forest covers over 514,000 acres, and the state park spans another 339 acres. “It attracts a lot of people that want to do hunting or want to go fishing or boating,” Nuhfer says of the region's recreation options. The Allegheny National Forest has over 200 miles of hiking trails, and its 7,647-acre Allegheny Reservoir is open to fishing and boating. Hunters can also seek deer, turkey and more in certain parts of the forest. Kinzua Bridge State Park is known for its 301-foot-tall viaduct, a former railroad structure that’s now a walkway where visitors can soak in scenic views of the surrounding area. The nearby Kinzua Creek is a spot for trout fishing. Green spaces within town include Glenwood Park, where there’s a playground, a full-length basketball court and a ball field.
Route 6 is a key artery for commutes through the region
U.S. Route 6 runs through Kane and takes drivers to U.S. Route 219 for the 20-mile trip northeast to Bradford Regional Airport. The facility offers daily flights to Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. Bradford Regional Medical Center, just under 30 miles away, has an emergency department. Route 6 is also a connection to the city of Warren , which is located 30 miles northwest and has a population over twice that of Kane’s. The Area Transportation Authority bus system has multiple stops in Kane.
Kane's activities include music, produce and pancakes
There’s a wide variety of festivities throughout the year in Kane. “I know the mayor does a great job at getting community events together and organizing things,” Nuhfer says. Squatchfest is among them, a Sasquatch-themed music festival in July at the Kane Family Drive-In, with activities for kids and fireworks. The Kane Community Center hosts a trunk-or-treat around Halloween and a Santa’s pancake party in early December. Vegetables, doughnuts and other fresh products are available at the Kane Farmers and Artisans Market on Saturdays off Fraley Street.
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
