Lemon Township's rural charm attracts city dwellers
Lemon Township in Wyoming County was a popular vacation spot in the late 1800s thanks to Lake Carey. While the vacation economy in the area has faded away, residents who move to Lemon Township repeat history, searching for a place to reconnect with nature without the noise and commotion of living in the city. “It’s very close-knit,” says Virginia Hawk, owner of Stony Mountain Family Campground, who grew up in the area. “People are very helpful to one another. One good thing is that it’s close to three points; we can be in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton or Bristol within the same amount of time.”
Some families have been in the area for ages, running farms and feed stores. Hawk says kids may move out to pursue careers in nearby cities, but some are moving back to relax in the rural setting. “A lot transpired when COVID hit,” Hawk says. “The Poconos had people moving down from New York. People who live in cities get to the point where they want to be rid of the hubbub and fast-paced life in the city. They want a slower pace.” Lemon Township feels like a remote corner of Pennsylvania, but there are restaurants, shops and jobs less than an hour from home.
Lakeside properties and ranch-style homes near farms
Homes are limited, and they rarely go on the market. Properties closer to Lake Carey tend to have more turnover. Ranch-style homes and split-levels are common, while houses closer to the lake have colonial-inspired designs with wraparound porches and private docks on the water. The average home value is about $300,000, and properties that sold recently ranged between $110,000 and almost $250,000. Some lots have plenty of acreage to farm or have animals, while those close to the lake are smaller. Homes near Lake Carey may also require flood insurance.
Lake Carey has historically been a place to relax
Lake Carey has almost always been known as a spot to relax on the water. The Lake Carey Welfare Association members pay dues that go toward water tests and maintenance. The group also organizes Lake Carey Day, an annual event held the last Saturday in July with highlights like kayak races, historic boat tours and raffles. While most of the activity is near the water, visitors can also go to the Lake Carey Volunteer Fire department or Old Carter Barn for live music. The lake is especially busy in the summer, when boaters and anglers are on the water. The docks are privately owned, so people from out of town might rent a vacation home with a dock or use the dirt ramp on Marina Drive to access the lake.
Stony Mountain Family Campground events for campers and locals
Stony Mountain Family Campground is another popular spot to vacation, since it's close to Barton Pond and offers a full calendar of events for campers. Hawk highlights two of the campground’s events that are open to the public. “We do our kids' fishing derby,” Hawk says. “If they want a shirt, they have to preregister for $10. That’s a pretty big event. We usually see 40 or 50 people. The kids go fishing, and we give them prizes. We do it in early June so it’s not too hot for the kids.” The Annual Car Show in August is a free admission event where car enthusiasts put their prized vehicles on display, and visitors enter raffles and buy barbecue chicken dinners.
Straight-forward commutes to Tunkhannock, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre
State Route 29 guides commuters down to Tunkhannock. “Procter & Gamble is there. I used to work for them,” Hawk says. “Then they have the Millwood pallet company and a stone company.” Residents who don’t have manufacturing jobs in Tunkhannock may commute almost 30 miles to Scranton, a trip that takes close to 40 minutes using U.S. Route 11. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is a 32-mile trip. Wilkes-Barre is closer to an hour away and has manufacturing jobs and the Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Lemon United Methodist Church is the only church within the township, and services are held in the small white chapel on Route 29.
Heading into Tunkhannock for school
Kids start school at the Tunkhannock Area Primary Center, which is currently unrated by Niche for its kindergarten through second-grade classes. Third through sixth graders attend Tunkhannock Area Intermediate Center and then transfer to the Tunkhannock STEM Academy for seventh grade. Both schools get C-plus ratings. Tunkhannock High School earns a B-minus and offers eighth through 12th grade courses. The Tunkhannock Area School Board is trying to add solar panels to the high school campus to improve the school’s energy use, though the project is paused until the board finds a suitable area for the panels.
Locally owned restaurants in Tunkhannock, chain stores in Scranton
Lemon Township has a Dollar General on Route 29, though most businesses in the area are farms or feed stores, like Wilcox Farm Supply. When locals want to dine out, they head to Tunkhannock. “Tunkhannock is a small town,” Hawk says. “We have three restaurants that offer a variety of food. We frequent the local restaurants, but if we want a change, we have to go to places like Scranton. Sometimes you want a Texas Roadhouse.” In Tunkhannock, Twigs Cafe is a lunch and dinner spot that serves sandwiches, soups and burgers. Tioga Bistro has a similar menu, though it opens for breakfast and lunch. Mercantile 22 on Tioga Street is a veteran-owned general store that sells clothes, yarn and locally sourced goods. There's a Weis Market and Aldi for groceries, but as Hawk says, residents travel to cities like Scranton for more restaurants and stores, including Sam’s Club.
