Lower Yoder, 18 miles from downtown Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is part of Lower Yoder Township and is made up primarily of greenery. Gallitzin State Forest State Park and State Game Lands Number 42 occupy most of the area. Homes are clustered along gridded streets that make up the outskirts of more prominent Johnstown subdivisions. The Westwood Plaza, 14 miles away, serves as a gathering place for locals. “It’s a very popular area, a meeting spot for a lot of people,” says Trey Sarabaugh, the manager of Westwood Plaza Theatre & Café. “With all the restaurants and how many people come to this area, a lot of people like it.” Lower Yoder is a rustic municipality surrounded by nature but close enough to Johnstown to access its commercial areas.
Lower Yoder is up in the hills and mountains of Cambria County.
You can find small homes that fit your personality in Lower Yoder.
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Hikes in Gallitzin State Forest
Gallitzin State Forest is 2.2 million acres and one of North America's most extensive dual-certified forests. It is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, ensuring it is sustainably managed. Gallitzin has over 51 miles of hiking trails, all of which are open to mountain bikes. Hunters and anglers may hunt and fish during designated seasons, though these activities are available year-round in State Game Lands Number 42.
Westwood Plaza Theatre & Café offers dinner and a show. “At our theatre, we actually serve food,” says Sarabaugh. “Instead of just having normal candy, we have burgers and chicken sandwiches and a whole bunch of stuff.” Locals may rent out an auditorium in the theater for private viewings.
Kayakers enjoy the waters of Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park near Lower Yoder.
Westwood Plaza Theatre is a unique cinema featuring two screens in Lower Yoder.
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Colonial Revival, split-level and ranch-style homes from $50,000
Trees dot rolling hills, with only the occasional roadway interrupting the forested scenery. Most homes are organized along gridded streets and branch off from the suburban neighborhoods of Johnstown proper. Colonial Revival, split-level and ranch-style are common in the area. These range from $50,000 to $175,000.
Some homes have the Lower Yoder trees as a backdrop.
Lower Yoder provides safe streets for the residents of this area.
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Transportation provided for students over 2 miles away from local schools
The Greater Johnstown School District serves the area and receives a C-minus from Niche. Children may attend Greater Johnstown Elementary School and Greater Johnstown Middle School, both of which receive a C-minus. Students advance to Greater Johnstown High School, which receives a C. Students who live more than 2 miles from the school are eligible for transportation through the school district.
The dedicated teachers of Greater Johnstown High School lead the students of Lower Yoder.
Greater Johnstown Elementary School receives high marks from Lower Yoder parents.
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State routes lead to downtown Johnstown
The township is car-dependent. State Routes 56 and 271 border the area, leading into downtown Johnstown. The Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center’s main campus is 17 miles away. The John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport is 23 miles away.
You can see down into the valley where Johnstown meets Lower Yoder.
The people of Lower Yoder love their country.
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'The World's Fair' at St Therese
The local Catholic church, St Therese, hosts events throughout the year, the most notable being its annual festival, which locals call “The World’s Fair.” The church offers a raffle, carnival rides and fair food during the June festival. Other houses of worship in the area include West Hills Community Church and St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox.
The Lower Yoder area is full of history.
St Therese Church in Lower Yoder has been serving the community since 1931.
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Shopping and dining near Westwood Plaza
Most shopping and dining are near Westwood Plaza, where locals can find chain restaurants and retailers like Dollar Tree, Burger King and McDonald’s. Pizza is especially popular in the area, and Pizza Man’s Pizza and Santo’s Pizza are local favorites. Groceries are available at Sheetz or Giant Eagle Supermarket, 18 miles away. “There’s a big empty building on the far side that used to be a grocery store,” says Sarabaugh, when describing the plaza. “Most grocery shopping you’re gonna get in this area is Sheetz. The Giant Eagle is a little farther away.”
Lower Yoder loves Sanot's Pizza because they treat you like family.
Pizza Man's is family owned and has been serving Lower Yoder for years.
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Important to Know
Johnstown has experienced several great floods. While it has fortified its levy system and built flood walls, it cannot stop flooding entirely. “There haven’t been any major flooding problems that I’m aware of,” says Sarabaugh. “There have been times, and this doesn’t really matter, when buildings will leak when it rains, but it’s really rare. It doesn’t flood in this area.”
Come and discover Lower Yoder for yourself.
Lower Yoder is a township just outside of Johnstown PA.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
Photography Contributed By
Alan Battles
Video By
Becky Gaskill
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dan Waterhouse,
an experienced agent in this area.
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