McSherrystown is a small borough west of Hanover
McSherrystown is a classic example of small-town Pennsylvania, centered by an old-fashioned Main Street and the efforts of active community groups. While the borough favors quieter community parks, locally owned restaurants and the occasional Moose Lodge concert, it's also a bedroom community for south central PA hubs like Gettysburg. Hanover, also known as the “Snack Food Capital of the World,” is just across the county line. “What I think is most appealing about McSherrystown is that it’s in Adams County, so taxes are cheaper than in York. It’s a little, one-horse town right on the outskirts of Hanover, so you’re still near shopping and everything,” says Susan Hartman, a Realtor with Re/Max Quality Service who has specialized in Adams and York counties for 19 years.
Blocks of prewar single-family homes and newer midcentury construction
Sidewalk-lined blocks branch from McSherrytown’s Main Street, forming a grid of single-family homes. Closest to the main drag, classic prewar styles like American Foursquares, farmhouses and National-style homes were built close together. Around the older, core residential blocks, midcentury subdivisions are lined by Cape Cods, ranch-style homes built from the 1940s through 1960s, and similar newer construction. Prices range from around $160,000 to $320,000. Thanks to investor-owned homes and some larger, scattered apartment complexes, McSherrystown is pretty evenly split between renters and homeowners.
Hanover manufacturing hubs and super commuting to Maryland
Many warehouses and factories are within several miles of McSherrystown, including the iconic Utz and Snyder’s of Hanover facilities that earned Hanover its “Snack Food Capital of the World” reputation. The UPMC Hanover hospital is less than 2 miles away. Gettysburg is more than 10 miles away. Rabbittransit buses make stops on Main Street along a limited regional route. “Some people work in Maryland but move because you can get more house for your money in Pennsylvania. It’s so different here. At 7 p.m., it’s like they roll the streets up; there’s no traffic,” Hartman says. While traffic is uncommon in McSherrystown and Hanover, commuters will see more activity on major roads like Interstate 83 on the roughly 50-mile drive to Baltimore. Harrisburg International Airport is also around 50 miles from home.
Attending Conewago Valley School District
Conewago Township Elementary School serves kindergarten through third grade and earns a B from Niche. B-rated Conewago Valley Intermediate School serves fourth through sixth grade. New Oxford Middle School and New Oxford Senior High School also earn Bs. High schoolers can receive career and technical education through programs at the Colonial Career and Technology Center. The private Delone Catholic High School also earns a B from Niche.
Shopping and dining in McSherrystown and Hanover
Several mom-and-pop restaurants line Main Street and the surrounding blocks. North 5th Street Diner specializes in classic diner fare and ambiance, while Ripleigh’s Creamery serves experimental ice cream flavors near the local pharmacy. Hanover chains like the cozy Britton Coffee Co. have also franchised out to McSherrystown. Food Lion and Myers’ Meat Market are on either side of the borough for groceries. Walmart, Target and Sam’s Club anchor strip malls within 3 miles of home in Hanover.
Community parks and larger south central PA recreation areas
South Street Park offers access to athletic fields, sports courts and playground equipment. At North Street Park, a fenced dog park gives furry friends space to run near Plum Creek. A handful of athletic fields host sports games near Delone Catholic High School. More expansive recreation areas are several miles from home, from the private, 18-hole Flatbush Golf Course to Codorus State Park, which sprawls across more than 3,400 forested acres around Lake Marburg.
Events with McSherrystown’s community organizations
Live music and fundraiser dinners are common at the McSherrystown Moose Lodge. Houses of worship like Life Discovery Church hold regular religious services and sponsor community events like Easter egg hunts. The McSherrystown Senior Center’s grounds are a popular venue for these kinds of get-togethers, and the center also advertises weekly bingo, exercise and craft activities.
Flood risk near Plum Creek
Properties close to Plum Creek fall into higher-risk flood zones after unusually heavy rain. Buyers can consult maps to understand their potential risk and need for insurance.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
