A small town feel minutes from Philly
Just over the Walt Whitman Bridge from Philadelphia is the small borough of Mount Ephraim, also known as the Village at the Crossroads because of its historic location at the intersection of two centuries-old thoroughfares: Kings Highway and Black Horse Pike. The community is named after Ephraim Albertson, who owned a meeting house at the intersection during the early 19th century. "Mount Ephraim offers what hometowns are made of," says Mayor Susan M. Carney. "This is a place where neighbors help neighbors, parishioners go to church together, and residents know their governing officials, their police officers and serve on the volunteer fire company." She notes that the townspeople gather often to participate in many annual and seasonal events hosted by the town's Celebration Committee. The community's low CAP Index crime score of 3 out of 10 adds to its appeal.
Mount Ephraim's Cape Cods and colonials
Mount Ephraim's streets are laid out in a neat grid, and sidewalks are found throughout the neighborhood. The majority of homes here were built in the decades following World War II, and there is a lot of variety in the housing stock, with a mix of Cape Cods, bungalows and colonial-style homes featuring vinyl, brick or shake siding. About half the homes have garages, and most have private driveways. However, street parking is not an issue, and overnight parking permits are not required in the neighborhood. Lot sizes here are large enough to fit a small garden or patio. “Home prices in Mount Ephraim are lower than in most surrounding areas,” says Joe Bozza, a Realtor with Daniel R. White Realtor LLC who has lived in the area for decades. "First-time homebuyers will absolutely find this community appealing." Homebuyers can expect to pay between $255,000 to $365,000 for an updated Cape Cod, while those willing to do some renovations may pay around $200,000. Larger colonial homes average between $305,000 and $500,000.
Local football hero supports Audubon High
Children in the Mount Ephraim School District may begin their public school education at Mary Bray Elementary, which serves kindergarten through fifth grade and has a C-plus rating from Niche. Raymond W. Kershaw Middle School has sixth through eighth grade and earns a B-minus rating. Audubon Junior/Senior High School also has a B-minus rating. NFL quarterback Joe Flacco is a 2003 graduate of Audubon, and the 2013 Super Bowl champion lives in the area and occasionally attends the high school's football games.
Mount Ephraim's playgrounds, parks and lakes
The 73-acre Haddon Lake Park surrounds its namesake lake and features several miles of walking trails, a pair of playgrounds, a ballfield and an amphitheater. Kayakers and paddleboarders can take advantage of the park’s boat launch. At the neighborhood's southwest corner, Shining Star Park offers a place for children to play basketball and let their imaginations run wild on the playground. Two miles east, Little Timber Creek Nature Trail offers a half-mile looped walking path along the creek's banks.
Busy Black Horse Pike is filled with shops
Black Horse Pike is the community’s main commercial thoroughfare. It's lined with businesses like urgent-care centers, pharmacies, gas stations and fast-food franchises. Local restaurants found there include The Black Horse Diner, a classic eatery serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Bobby Ray’s Black Horse Tavern, a quintessential sports bar offering patrons plenty of TVs and beer choices. Del Buono’s Bakery and Carmen’s Deli is also on Black Horse Pike, and the combined bakery and deli is said to serve one of the best cheesesteaks in town. Its Biggy Daddy cheesesteak with fried onions and cherry peppers was once featured on the Food Network show “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” If it's time for a large grocery shopping trip, there's a ShopRite in Brooklawn, just steps outside the neighborhood.
Parades and other pastimes in Mount Ephraim
In April, the borough presents Ales on the Rails, where local breweries proudly serve samples of their beers. The event also features family activities, food trucks and music. In June, nearby Gloucester Township holds the annual Camden County Fair. Attendees can enjoy pony rides, 4-H demonstrations and carnival rides. Mount Ephraim celebrates July Fourth with a focus on families. The day begins with a baby parade, immediately followed by a bicycle parade for children, after which they receive goodie bags and flavored ice waters.
Getting around Mount Ephraim
Mount Ephraim is 9 miles from downtown Philadelphia via Interstate 676, while Philadelphia International Airport is 11 miles away via I-76. Atlantic City is 55 miles from Mount Ephraim via the Atlantic City Expressway. Interstates 76 and 295 border the neighborhood, making for easy access to most of the region. NJ Transit provides bus service throughout the community and the larger metro area.
Photography Contributed By
Carmen Gerace
