Small town with commuter access and scenic beauty
Mount Jackson is a small Shenandoah County community about 28 miles northeast of Harrisonburg. “You’re going to see beautiful, panoramic mountain views, and in the spring, everything is lush and green,” says Rhonda Sager, a Realtor with Sager Real Estate and a lifelong Shenandoah County local. The rural town is home to Route 11 Potato Chips, but lacks major industry, so many residents commute or work remotely. “A lot of people work from home, and they’ll venture down to the city once a week, if that,” Sager says. There’s a modest shopping and dining scene, and the nearby Bryce Resort draws vacation homeowners, especially from the Washington, D.C. area. “If you want gorgeous mountain views and a slower pace of life, Mount Jackson is a great place to live.”
Fast-moving market with limited inventory
Mount Jackson’s homes are diverse, but the inventory is low. “As soon as they come on the market, the desirable ones are snatched up right away,” Sager says. “The Shenandoah Valley is booming right now.” Many homeowners here are seasonal residents or property investors with vacation rentals because of the town’s easy access to Bryce Resort. “There are quite a few second homeowners who own weekend homes and come up for the summer,” Sager says.
Homes in the center of town are set closely together along narrow, sidewalk-lined streets, while larger properties on the outskirts have acreage allowing for privacy and features like detached workshops, guest houses or waterfront access. Mid-to-late 20th-century bungalows and ranch-style homes are common, but there are also a few 19th-century farmhouses and new 21st-century construction. “Many families have held larger parcels of rolling farmland for years, and sometimes they sell off a few,” Sager says. “Homebuyers buy 8 to 10 acres and build a new home on it.” The median sale price in Mount Jackson is about $290,000, compared to $340,000 in Harrisonburg.
Attending Shenandoah County Public Schools
Mount Jackson is part of Shenandoah County Public Schools, which serves about 6,000 students and earns an overall B-minus from Niche. The Massanutten Regional Governor’s School is located in Mount Jackson and serves as a half-day program for gifted juniors and seniors focused on environmental science and technology. At the B-rated Stonewall Jackson High, teens can take dual-enrollment courses for college credit at Lord Fairfax Community College and Shenandoah University.
Leisurely recreation and nearby tourist attractions
Lions Park is the town’s main green space, featuring a playground, paved walking trail, seasonal pool and spots for picnics or pick-up basketball games. Along U.S. Route 11, there’s the Veterans Memorial and Shenandoah Bowling Lanes, an old-school duckpin bowling alley. Anglers can cast their lines in the nearby North Fork Shenandoah River for smallmouth bass. About 3 miles away, the Shenandoah Caverns are renowned for their natural beauty, including the bacon formations resembling bacon strips hanging from the cave ceiling. The four-season Bryce Resort is 11 miles away for skiing, snowboarding, and more. “The Bryce Resort is a big pull for Mount Jackson,” Sager says.
Shopping and dining along U.S. Route 11
A handful of national chains and locally owned businesses line U.S. Route 11. Coffee to Grow is the go-to morning stop for a simple cappuccino or craft drinks and pastries, including Nutella banana cold brew and heart-shaped mini-waffles. At Mount Jackson Centre, quick bites can be found at Hardee’s and China King, while Italian Touch is the spot for baked pasta, pizza and hoagies. For a laid-back meal, Mount Heritage Bar and Grill serves beer and fast-casual Greek and American fare, like gyro sandwiches and cheeseburgers, on a string-lit patio. Food Lion has all the essentials for groceries, and Ye Olde South End Market is stocked with specialty Asian ingredients. There’s also SEARCH Thrift Shop and Mount Jackson Thrift and Gift, with vintage clothing, secondhand treasures and collectables. About 5 miles away, The Winery at Kindred Pointe is a former horse ranch that re-opened as a winery and cidery in 2013, offering 58 acres of tranquil pastures and vineyards, as well as a curated tasting room menu.
The annual Tater Fest
“Mount Jackson has a lot of special events,” Sager says. “For instance, we have a potato festival coming up, so all things potato — French fries, chips, you name it.” Tater Fest is held at Lions Park in September with fun traditions like the French fry eating contest and the Couch Potato 1-miler. “There’s good food and good music,” Sager says. “You run into people you know and catch up. That’s what those festivals are for, reconnecting and so forth.” Other community gatherings include Movies in the Park, Trunk or Treat at Town Hall and the Mount Jackson Christmas Parade with Santa. The Route 11 Potato Chips factory offers visitors the opportunity to watch kettle-cooked chips being made, sample flavors and purchase fresh chips.
Getting around Mount Jackson
Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 pass through Mount Jackson, granting easy access to Harrisonburg, 28 miles away. “You have to drive,” Sager says. “No trains, buses or things like that.” Shenandoah Memorial Hospital is 12 miles away, and Shenandoah Valley Airport is 40 miles away.
Mild winters
Mount Jackson averages 22 inches of snowfall annually. “We’ve had very mild weather in our area over the last several years,” Sager says. “You don’t get snowed in very often.”
