Historic architecture and riverside beauty define Lewisburg
Driving through Central Pennsylvania’s rural Susquehanna Valley, someone would be surprised to find Lewisburg. This charming town, where church spires rise like a skyline, features centuries-old buildings, historic homes and cast-iron lamp posts with three globes, patented and distinct to the borough. “Lewisburg is a vibrant community made up of academics, professionals and artists,” says resident Sabra Karr, broker of Villager Realty, Inc. The West Branch of the Susquehanna River flows to the east, and nearby Bucknell University brings a revolving door of students, many of whom stick around, drawn to the region’s beauty and Lewisburg’s picturesque streets.
Historic homes downtown, with suburban infill to the west
Downtown, near the river, historic Colonial Revival, Federal-style and Victorian houses have unique features, like ornate trims, turrets or column-framed front porches. Depending on size, age, and condition, they typically cost $360,000 to $800,000. Residential infill continued as the borough expanded west, trading gridded streets and small lots for grassy front yards and nearby farmland. Out here, $200,000 and below can get buyers a small house needing repairs. Ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals and split-levels, typically built between the 1950s and 1980s, can range from $230,000 to $350,000. Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals from the late 1990s and early 2000s can cost $350,000 to $550,000. Condos and townhouses are also available, running around $270,000 to $380,000, with newly constructed luxury townhouses in the Derrstown Village community topping that range. “The property values are slightly higher than in surrounding areas, but that goes hand in hand with what buyers might want from this community,” Karr says.
Market Street blends historic charm with shops and dining
Downtown Lewisburg centers around historic Market Street. Flower beds, mature trees and the town’s signature streetlamps line sidewalks. Flanked by well-preserved Victorian and Federal-style buildings, Market Street is the region's commercial and cultural hub, with boutiques, art galleries, local restaurants and entertainment venues. Elizabeth’s An American Bistro has a red brick exterior and white tablecloths inside, offering a seasonal menu and a vast wine list. Nearby Brendan’s Towne Tavern brings a homier feel, serving everything from filet mignon to burgers. Tastecraft Coffee is a go-to in the morning, while Paris Bakery & Café is popular for something sweet. Built in 1941, the historic Art Deco-style Campus Theatre is a community staple. Its single screen shows one film at a time. The Lewisburg Children’s Museum provides children and families with an imaginative and interactive environment. On nearby Water Street, the Street of Shops sits within a historic woolen mill, with 375 indoor booths selling homemade soaps, antiques, rustic home items and more. With vintage streetlamps and an old bank teller window, it resembles a vintage town square. A Giant grocery store is also nearby.
Lewisburg schools and Bucknell University anchor academics
Lewisburg Area School District gets an A from Niche. All the district’s schools–Kelly Elementary, Linntown Intermediate, Donald H. Eichhorn Middle and Lewisburg Area High–earn A’s. The high school offers dual enrollment courses in partnership with Lackawanna College.
Bucknell University, a private liberal-arts college with about 4,000 undergraduates, is in the area. The school’s 450-acre campus features Georgian architecture and gently rolling hills dotted with oak trees. Bucknell is known for its top engineering, management and liberal arts programs.
Lewisburg parks offer playgrounds, sports fields and riverfront fun
15th Street divides Lewisburg Area Recreation Park, with sports fields to the west. The eastern half has a swimming pool, a skating rink, a playground, basketball and tennis courts, a skatepark and picnic areas. Nearby D.F. Green Field also features a basketball court and a playground, as well as ball fields. To the north, St. Anthony’s Street Park & Wolfe Field adds two more diamonds and another playground. Downtown’s Hufnagle Park is manicured, with paved paths leading to a gazebo, a playground and shaded benches. Soldier’s Park provides a place to spend downtime by the river.
“Kayaking and fishing take people to the river,” Karr says. “The surrounding area is beautiful. There’s hiking, biking and all kinds of activities at state parks… the appeal to this area is the outdoor living, whether it be the mountains, the river or the woods.” Milton, Sand Bridge and Shikellamy state parks are less than 15 miles away, and the roughly 10-mile Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, a section of the 500-mile Susquehanna Greenway, runs through Lewisburg.
Year-round events, from farmers markets to fireworks
Rain or shine, live performers play every Wednesday in the summer at Hufnagle Park’s Music in the Park event. On Wednesdays year-round, the Lewisburg Farmers Market sells seasonal produce, prepared foods, plants and more. The Union County Veterans’ 4th of July Celebration features a parade through downtown, live music and fireworks. At the Market Street Mask-A-Rade, trick-or-treaters gather candy from shops downtown, a tarot card reader tells fortunes and costumed residents walk an orange carpet outside the Campus Theatre.
Within driving distance to Williamsport, Harrisburg and Philly
Rabbit Transportation offers fixed bus routes, and Bucknell University provides transportation to students. U.S. Route 15 and Pennsylvania state routes 45 and 192 run through. Williamsport is about 25 miles away, Harrisburg, with Harrisburg International Airport, about 60, Philadelphia about 160 and Pittsburgh about 205. WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital is in town.
Three watersheds contribute to local flood risk
Much of Lewisburg falls within FEMA-designated flood zones. The borough is in three watersheds: Buffalo Creek, Bull Run/Miller Run and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, historically posing the biggest risk. To protect themselves from damage, residents can acquire federally supported flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.
![Adreanna DeMarino]()
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
