Mehoopany offers rural charm and a strong sense of community
Areas like Scranton and Wilkes-Barre are packed nearly to the brim with people, so when the time comes to find a quiet, rural place to live without excessive commutes to work, people turn to Mehoopany Township in Wyoming County. This section of Northeastern Pennsylvania has family farms, woods that extend over rolling hills and easy access to the Susquehanna River. Life moves slowly, but the community has places to gather, like the Mehoopany Area Library. Jean Anne Oakley is a local who works at the library. “There’s camaraderie here and great friendships,” Oakley says. “Our supervisors are great, and it’s just a lot of fun. You know people by name, and when you get to know them, you know them for life.” After a long day of working at manufacturing plants across the river or tending to fruit fields, residents can return to their homes tucked between open fields and mature trees.
Colonial and split-level homes on large lots throughout Mehoopany
Mehoopany locals stay in the area for years, meaning homes rarely go on the market. Properties that recently sold went for nearly $200,000 to almost $500,000 for colonial-style homes and split-levels. Ranch-style homes needing repairs have sold for around $200,000 or less. Some locals turn their cabins into Airbnbs, where out-of-town visitors can rest after exploring the Susquehanna River. Most properties have sprawling lots that create plenty of space between neighbors, but those near State Route 87 are closer together, so residents can walk across their yards to the houses next door. Because homes in the area are older, locals usually park in their driveways or under carports because attached garages are uncommon. It is common, though, for properties to run on septic tanks and well water systems.
Chatting with friends at Mehoopany Area Library or sailing the river
A small staff runs the Mehoopany Area Library, organizing monthly adult craft events and story hour for young kids on Wednesday mornings. “We do seminars,” Oakley says. “We just had a nutritionist come in and talk. We also do Monday Fun Nights from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. We crochet and cross stitch, and some people play games.” Locals can stop by the library to catch up over homemade treats, even outside planned events. “A bunch of us get together and talk about growing up here,” Oakley adds.
Aside from the library, residents have to drive to reach nearby recreation areas, like Creek Junction Park in Forkston. Kids can explore the park’s playground or play a pickup game on the paved basketball court. The two baseball fields have bleachers nearby so parents can rest while watching their athletes play. The Susquehanna River flows along Mehoopany’s northern border, and Howland Preserve Boat Ramp in Vosburg Neck State Park has the nearest boat ramp and a rocky bank along the water where anglers might fish for smallmouth bass.
Fresh fruit at Henningstead Organic Farm and Tunkhannock restaurants
Henningstead Organic Farm is a family-owned farm that has been in Mehoopany for the past seven generations. The farm currently grows and sells blackberries, raspberries and organic honey. Some people pay to pick their own berries, while others stop by the Berry Stand to purchase cartons of fruit. Tunkhannock has the nearest restaurants, including the cozy Todd + Rachel’s diner that serves classic burgers and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. Twigs Cafe has a similar menu, though customers can pair their burgers with cocktails or draft beer. Dandy is a convenience store and gas station in Mehoopany, but most residents drive to Tunkhannock to shop at grocery stores like Walmart. Chain retail stores and restaurants are down in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, including Target and Lowe's Home Improvement.
Working at Procter & Gamble or in Wilkes-Barre's medical field
Although Mehoopany is rural, residents live close to job options. “Procter & Gamble is a big one, and there are family farms and independent businesses,” Oakley says. The drive to the P&G manufacturing plant takes less than 10 minutes, depending on where people live. State Route 87 leads about 11 miles to downtown Tunkhannock, a 15-minute drive, where there are restaurants and a few boutiques. The Wyoming County Healthcare Center is in Tunkhannock, offering primary care services and clinics specializing in areas like lab work and dialysis. Anyone who needs to reach the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for work or emergencies has a 30-mile drive using State Route 309. Wilkes-Barre also has the Wilkes-Barre International Airport.
Students head to class in Tunkhannock
Mehoopany falls within the Tunkhannock Area School District, rated C-plus by Niche. Tunkhannock Area Primary Center has kindergarten through second-grade classes and is currently unrated by Niche. Tunkhannock Area Intermediate Center gets a C-plus and shares a building with Tunkhannock STEM Academy, which has a C rating. Tunkhannock Area High School has a B-minus and serves eighth through 12th graders.
The FWM Volunteer Fire Company handles the fireworks every July
The FWM Volunteer Fire Company’s fire station is in Mehoopany, and the volunteers respond to emergencies in the area and surrounding towns like Forkston. Every Fourth of July, residents visit the fire station for a full parade, chicken dinners made by firefighters and an evening filled with fireworks. All the money raised by selling roasted chickens supports the fire company. Mehoopany Baptist Church has been a part of the area for over 200 years. It was originally established in the early 1800s as a Presbyterian church, but the current location on State Route 87 was built around the 1960s.
