New Oxford is a walkable borough known for its antiques
A small borough incorporated more than 150 years ago, New Oxford has an appreciation for vintage charm. The community is unofficially known as the Antique Capital of Pennsylvania for its collection of antique-filled boutiques in its well-preserved Victorian-era Center Square. “Walkability is a selling point,” says Carolyn Boyle, a Realtor with Re/Max Quality Service, Inc., who’s a lifelong resident of South Central Pennsylvania. New Oxford is one of the few places in rural Adams County where residents can pick up hardware supplies, grab a bite to eat and stop by the post office without getting into a vehicle. Home to manufacturers, schools and small businesses, the borough runs on a diverse economy. Historic homes, highway access and proximity to communities such as Hanover and Gettysburg add to this community’s appeal.
Century-old homes and converted rental properties near Town Square
The median price for a single-family home in New Oxford is around $280,000, well below the national median. Most properties fall between $130,000 and $410,000. Near Center Square, 18th-and 19th-century Victorian homes sit between Craftsman bungalows and Colonial Revivals on wide blocks lined with sidewalks. Some properties have been converted into duplexes, apartments and shops. Ranch-style homes and bi-levels rest on larger lots farther out. Potential buyers should note that some homes are next to manufacturers, warehouses and railroad tracks.
Antiquing and shopping small in Center Square
Boutique businesses fill historic buildings surrounding the circular park in New Oxford’s Center Square. Shops in this walkable shopping district sell a variety of goods, from books and gifts to collectibles and home goods. There are also two restaurants: Deja Brew Coffee & Bakery, a cozy café serving lattes and baked goods, and Pizza Garden Italian Restaurant, an unassuming spot for pizza and pasta.
Antique stores dot the borough, including Zelma's Emporium, which has welcomed shoppers from near and far for more than 30 years. The locally owned shop, near the borough’s historic train station, now manages the New Oxford Antique Show each October. The one-day shopping experience, dating to 1968, features over two dozen antique dealers.
A few local markets and discount chains offer groceries. Supermarkets, national retailers and the North Hanover Mall are around 5 miles away in Hanover. The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg are around 12 miles away.
Private and public school options serve New Oxford families
The Conewago Valley School District receives a B-plus overall rating from Niche. The small district of five B-rated schools and a virtual academy is based in New Oxford. Many students living in the borough can walk to class. New Oxford Elementary, a kindergarten through third grade school, feeds into Conewago Valley Intermediate, which offers fourth through sixth grade. Students can move on to New Oxford Middle and then New Oxford High, which partners with Adams County Technical Institute to offer career-focused pathways. “It’s another avenue for kids going into trades,” Boyle says. Freedom Christian Schools, which has a campus along West Golden Lane, is a C-plus-rated private option.
Enjoying the outdoors from Conewago Creek to Codorus State Park
The middle of Center Square is New Oxford’s sole public park, a circular green space divided by walking paths with a fountain and park benches. This park, typically used for community events, provides residents with a place to rest or enjoy a picnic. Courts and fields for sports from soccer to tennis surround the local schools. Recreation Park, in Oxford, offers a new playground and walking trails. Boyle says camping along Conewago Creek is a popular pastime, with rentable campsites and cabins available at Camp Conewago. Farms and woods hug the public 18-hole course at The Bridges Golf Club. The sixth hole is parallel to Lincoln Speedway, which hosts weekly sprint-car races on its short clay track dating to the 1950s. Codorus State Park, a regional destination for outdoor adventures on Lake Marburg, is a little over 10 miles away. “People go out on their boats, and there are some trails out there,” says Boyle, who adds that the volunteer-run Friends of Codorus State Park provides programs for kids and adults.
Seasonal events fill New Oxford’s community calendar
There are more than antique shows in New Oxford. In late June, the annual Market on the Square highlights local artisans, crafters and farmers. Then, in October, the Harvest Day Festival & Parade celebrates the Fall season with family-friendly activities. December’s Light Up New Oxford, a self-led holiday light tour through the borough, follows a Christmas tree lighting in Center Square, a century-old tradition.
New Oxford is walkable and bikeable with public transportation
Walking, biking and catching a ride with Rabbit Transit are all options to get around New Oxford. U.S. Route 30, a well-traveled highway across Southern Pennsylvania, slices through the middle of the borough. Gettysburg is about 10 miles away, while York is around 20 miles away. Harrisburg International Airport is roughly a 45-mile drive. New Oxford Medical Center provides primary care and laboratory services in the borough. The full-service UPMC Hanover is less than 10 miles away.
