Littlestown's small-town vibe appeals to commuters
Founded in 1760 by Peter Klein, Littlestown predates its well-known neighbor, Gettysburg. The Adams County borough was where soldiers rested, got medical treatment and boarded trains amid the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. The railroad helped the community thrive off industry, and while trains no longer pass through today, several longstanding companies remain, including Littlestown Foundry, Inc. The enclave, surrounded by countryside with an urban core that’s home to about 4,800 people, offers a small-town atmosphere and appeals to commuters. “You're close to the Maryland line, so the job market can be a benefit,” says Carolyn Boyle, a lifelong resident of South Central Pennsylvania and a Realtor with Re/Max Quality Service, Inc. “There are people who work in Maryland and live here because the cost of living is better.” The median price for a single-family home in Littletown is around $300,000, under both the national median and Maryland’s median.
The borough’s mix of architecture includes 19th-century styles
The sidewalk-lined blocks surrounding downtown Littlestown offer a variety of homes, mostly built between the 1850s and 1950s, including spacious Victorians, American Foursquares and Colonial Revivals as well as smaller cottages and bungalows. Neotraditional detached homes, townhouses and condos from the 1990s and 2000s line cul-de-sac-capped streets in subdivisions along the borough limits. New construction is rising in the new Mayberry development. The surrounding countryside features ranch-style homes, farmhouses and custom builds on lots that can exceed several acres.
Single-family home prices start at around $130,000 and can reach $670,000. Townhouses cost between $160,000 and $500,000. Condos rarely go on the market. Two 1,700-square-foot units sold in October and November 2024 for $275,000 and $285,000. Potential buyers should note that some properties along creeks rest in or near flood hazard areas.
Historic buildings and small businesses in downtown Littlestown
The intersection of Queen and King streets anchors downtown Littlestown. This walkable district features rows of historic buildings, where small businesses from boutiques to barber shops are on the ground level and apartments and offices occupy the floors above. A few restaurants and pubs dot the borough, serving mostly American and Italian fare. The employee-owned Kennie’s Market is the local grocery store. National brands are available at the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg and around the North Hanover Mall, which are both less than 10 miles from Littlestown. Gettysburg and Hanover also have the closest full-service hospitals: WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital and UPMC Hanover.
Recreation at Crouse Park, Littlestown Community Park
Littlestown's parks range from the events-focused Crouse Park, which features a central pavilion surrounded by open green space, to the recently renovated Littlestown Community Park, where residents can use new pickleball courts, an updated playground and a walking trail, among other things. The Littlestown Area Branch YMCA offers indoor recreation and youth programming. The public Quail Valley Golf Course has 18 holes and is one of four golf courses within a 10-mile drive. Farther from the borough, visitors can walk through a historic battlefield at Gettysburg National Military Park, and horseback riders can traverse wooded trails at Union Mills Recreation Area in Carroll County, Maryland.
Good Ole Days celebrates the end of summer
Littlestown’s biggest annual event is the Good Ole Days. The three-day festival in mid-August starts with a themed parade through Littlestown Square. The next evening is a community night with live music and a movie screening in Crouse Park. Day three is all about supporting small businesses, with nearly 100 local vendors taking over the park, along with children’s activities and live entertainment.
Renovations and consolidation in the Littlestown Area School District
The Littlestown Area School District earns a C-plus rating from Niche. Three schools serve all students in the district: the B-minus-rated Alloway Creek Elementary, the C-plus-rated Maple Avenue Middle and the B-rated Littlestown High. Major renovations are underway at the high school to upgrade and expand the aging building, as the district is consolidating the middle and high schools under one roof. Construction is set to be completed in late 2025.
In reach of Baltimore and Harrisburg
While downtown Littlestown is walkable, the community is car-dependent. State Route 97 is the main road through the borough, connecting commuters to Gettysburg and Westminster, which are about 10 and 14 miles away. “It’s 25 minutes to Westminster and about an hour to White Marsh, which is where people can take a bus to New York City,” Boyle says. Baltimore and Harrisburg offer the closest airports. Both cities are around a 50-mile drive.
