New Palestine

New Palestine might be Indiana’s best-kept secret. Set among the midwestern state's checkerboard of green farmland, the small, one-stop-light town doesn’t seem like it would be less than 30 minutes outside Indianapolis. “Although you’re out of the hustle and bustle of the city, you’re still relatively close,” says Realtor Vickie Jordan of Home Bound Real Estate. “But the rural feel and close-knit community draws people to New Palestine the most.”

Established in 1871, New Palestine – shortened to New Pal by residents – is a growing town that offers an amalgam of home styles, from historic to new. “The unique thing about New Palestine is that we’ve got a diverse community and a plethora of home styles,” Jordan says. “It’s not one-size-fits-all. We have 100-year-old historic homes that line the streets of downtown, one-million-dollar custom homes, and new construction.” It’s normal to see a 1970s rancher, a traditional farmhouse and a recently built contemporary Craftsman on the same street. The median listing price of real estate hovers at $363,500, with three to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms common, and Jordan says that the property values in New Palestine stay consistent relative to other communities. “The property values out here tend to be a little bit higher than the surrounding areas, but you’re paying for the out-of-the-city community, great schools, and the amenities that come along with that,” she says.

Students in New Palestine attend top-rated schools in the Southern Hancock County Community School Corporation, which received an A rating from the Indiana Department of Education. “Many families move here for the top tier school system and the top tier sports programs,” Jordan says. With a campus off Main Street, centrally located New Palestine High School has a flourishing athletics program that is a big part of the community. The school isn’t limited to freshmen through seniors living in New Palestine. Instead, it pulls students from all over Hancock County, making its student body of 1,200 almost half the size of the town’s population itself. Parents can also enroll their kindergarteners through fourth graders in Brandywine Elementary School, while New Palestine Intermediate School serves fifth and sixth graders. Both schools boast an A- overall rating from Niche. At New Palestine Junior High School, seventh and eighth grade students can participate in the school’s award-winning robotics team.

For a day of outdoor fun, residents take to the recreational facilities at Sugar Creek Township Park. The 88-acre tract features soccer fields, playgrounds, and a nine-hole disc golf course. Jordan says the park’s walking trails and the Pennsy Trail, which cuts through the north side of the town, is a popular place for folks to get some fresh air and take walks with their kids and pets.

The close-knit feel of the community is exemplified during events and festivals that bring residents together in every season. Most notable is the New Pal Summer Fest, a weekend celebration involving live music, food and vendors, and a 5k race. Enjoy local tunes during the town’s Music on Depot summer concert series every fourth Saturday from July to September, usher in the autumn season at the Harvest Fest in October and get in the holiday spirit for the annual Christmas parade and Winter Fest.

When it comes to the local dining scene, residents have plenty of tantalizing options. “The new coffee shop called Barrel Racing Baristas is very popular,” Jordan says, adding that a few newer spots display the town’s growth and revitalization. “We’re not just growing in homes, but also in business and opportunities.” But there’s one local staple that takes the spotlight. “You can’t come to New Pal and not try Frosty Boy,” Jordan says of the walk-up ice cream stand on Main Street. With an extensive menu of sweets and more, the beloved drive-in serves up soft serve, slushes and sundaes, as well as an array of fast-food favorites, like cheeseburgers and hot dogs.

Even with its steady growth, the relaxed rural haven preserves its small-town charm. “New Pal just has that hometown feel that draws people in,” Jordan says.

Written By

Christina von Claparede-Crola

Photography Contributed By

Mark Chenoweth

Video By

Syd Silberman