The flooding experienced by Lewis Township in August 2024 was generational, but the response was typical of the rural Pennsylvania community north of Williamsport. Tropical Storm Debby brought intense rain that flooded roadways and damaged the Trout Run Volunteer Fire Co.’s firehouse to the point it was condemned. Within two weeks, a fundraiser led by a local nonprofit and business had raised nearly $50,000 to rebuild the firehouse. Even though Lewis’s 860 residents are spread among a 24,000-acre township, there’s a sense of community. It’s almost impossible to avoid, as residents are typically surrounded by the same people their entire lives. “We know all our neighbors,” says Christy Hoffman, who runs Christy’s Greenhouse in the township. “It’s all the same people we grew up with.” Lewis is a sparsely populated and pristine community among the forested mountains of North Central Pennsylvania.
Ranch-style homes are common throughout Lewis Township.
Lewis Township spans scenic valleys and wooded hills north of Williamsport.
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Thousands of conserved acres
Just past the playground at Trout Run Park is the bank of Lycoming Creek, where parkgoers can cast a line or wade into the water. After a swim, visitors can picnic under the park’s covered pavilion. Disc golf enthusiasts can play 18 holes at the Willowan Disc Golf Course on the north side of Lewis. The best place to explore the community’s rural character is State Game Lands No. 133, an expanse of 2,500 acres managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Hunters go there searching for deer, turkey and squirrels, but it’s also open to people who want to hike its mountainous terrain or dip into a swimming hole.
State Game Lands near Lewis offer hunting and hiking opportunities.
Lycoming Creek near Lewis is popular for trout fishing.
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Countryside cabins and village homes
Homes in Lewis boast space and privacy. The median lot size is about an acre, and many homes are surrounded by trees and separated from the nearest road by long driveways. Many people live in Lewis their entire lives. For example, Hoffman grew up on a farm near Trout Run and today lives down the road, where she operates her greenhouse. Cabins and farmhouses are spread along the countryside, costing as much as $400,000. Colonial-style houses and ranch homes are arranged closer together in villages such as Trout Run, where prices vary from the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$200,000s. Empty lots with mountain views start around $80,000 for those who want a spot to build a home. There are flood zones throughout the township, particularly near Lycoming Creek. New residents may want to look into buying flood insurance. The township’s CAP Index Crime Score is a 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score; a score of 10 indicates highest crime levels.
Colonial Revival homes are often found in Lewis Township.
Lewis Township offers rural charm and community spirit in Pennsylvania.
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School bus shakeup
Lewis is part of the Williamsport Area School District, meaning long trips to schools. The closest campus is Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School, but some homes are as far as 15 miles away. Hepburn-Lycoming Primary, which teaches kindergarteners through third graders, gets a Niche grade of B-plus. B-rated Lycoming Valley Intermediate School takes students from fourth to sixth grade. Two other campuses are in the city of Williamsport: Williamsport Area Middle School, earning a B-minus, and Williamsport Area High School, which gets a B-plus. Students at Williamsport Area High can get college credits through Advanced Placement courses or earn certifications in skills such as construction or early childhood education. School buses pick up kids in Lewis, but recent flooding has altered bus stop locations and pickup times, Hoffman says. “My daughter’s not happy about getting up at 6:30 in the morning.”
Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary maintains a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Williamsport Area Middle School serves grades 7 and 8 nearby.
Lycoming Valley Intermediate School teaches grades 4 through 6.
Williamsport Area Senior High enrolls about 1,500 students in grades 9-12.
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Grabbing groceries and meals in Trout Run
Most of the township’s businesses are in Trout Run, a village between Route 15 and Lycoming Creek. The Bittner family started a general store here in the ‘70s. It has since changed ownership, but Trout Run General Store remains the community’s only spot for groceries. Otherwise, the closest supermarket is Weis Markets, 8 miles south of Lewis. In town, locals can pick up a bite from the Fatburger or Subway at the Exxon gas station or have a drink and sit-down meal at the Trout Run Hotel. The village is also home to Trout Run United Methodist Church. A trip to the hospital requires a 10-plus-mile drive to Williamsport.
Lewis Township offers access to fast food restaurants like Subway.
Trout Run Hotel serves meals and drinks in a cozy Lewis setting.
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Fishing, shooting and running at Camp Susque
Camp Susque was founded in 1947 as a summer camp for kids, but the nonprofit has expanded its offerings to classes and events for the entire community. It hosts grandparent-grandkid fishing outings, mother-son rifle shooting and cooking classes. Since 2014, the camp has put on the Annual Harvest Festival for free, where attendees can enjoy live music and hayrides. The festival also includes a 5K and 10K trail run.
Work continues on flooded highway
Cars are necessary to get around Lewis, where there’s no public transportation and trips to stores and workplaces usually take several miles. U.S. Route 15 is one of the main highways, leading directly to Williamsport. Pennsylvania Route 14 is the primary thoroughfare for those living north of Trout Run. The 2024 flood washed away a bridge on Route 14 in Trout Run, so the state has set up a temporary traffic light to route traffic around the bridge while a temporary roadway is being built. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation expects to re-open the bridge around August 2025.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
Photography Contributed By
Pushparaj Aitwal
Video By
Taylor Noll
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Looking for a Quiet and Peaceful location? This Solid 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home is situated on 2.61 acres and a cul-de-sac!Owner occupied for more than 35 years with many updates and upgrades including a new roof in 2022, dry basement system and Generac generator to mention a few.Whether you prefer watching tons of deer run or fishing in a freshly stocked creek across the road, this one
Opportunities to acquire over 1,000 contiguous acres in Pennsylvania are exceptionally rare. This expansive property presents a unique chance to own a premier hunting and recreational retreat in Trout Run, just north of Williamsport. Offering the perfect combination of accessibility and seclusion, this land is ideal for continuing Pennsylvania's strong hunting camp tradition for generations to
Levi RentzelWHITETAIL PROPERTIES REAL ESTATE LLC (PA)
Move - in ready manufactured home in Bittner Park features 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms on a large leased lot with carport and shed fully outfitted for a workshop. Newer hot water heater, furnace and roof. Sellers giving allowance toward new carpet. Park approval required with $40 application fee. Monthly lot rent of $400 covers water, sewer and trash. Pets considered with approval. Being sold
Lisa StrouseBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodrick Realty, WPT
Property Id: 2166543First floor 2 bedroom efficiency with appliances. Private access for only two apartments in this specific corner of the building. Walking distance to nearby convenience stores/fast food restaurants. Easy highway access. Very close to nearby camping/hunting/fishing areas.Utilities included!
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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