Small-town charm in New Philadelphia
New Philadelphia started as an anthracite mining town in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania. Today, its small-town atmosphere thrives, bolstered by locally owned restaurants and easy access to nearby towns like Pottsville, 6 miles away. “Compared to the city, it's cheaper rent, it feels safer for a lot of people,” says Martina Mazloom, a resident of the town and co-owner with her father of Mazloom’s Bar and Restaurant. “There’s something to be said about knowing your neighbor. We look out for each other; we look out for each other’s kids. You kind of know everyone, though there are a lot of new people moving into town.” The town is made up of a suburban area bordered by U.S. Route 209 and surrounded by greenery. “We’re a very small town, we don’t even have a red light in New Philadelphia,” says Mazloom.
Burgers at Mazloom's, comfort classics at Neapolitan Italian Eatery
Mazloom’s is a popular community staple known for its burgers, rustic interior and pool table. “We know a lot of good people in this town," Mazloom says. "We have a few widowers that come in, and the bartender checks in on them and makes sure they ate that day.” Neapolitan Italian Eatery, along U.S. Route 209, serves comfort food and pizza. Valley Street Food Market, a convenience store on Route 209, also serves weekly specials such as chicken nuggets, cheeseburgers or Italian subs. Across town, The Vette’s serves bar food and is available to rent out for holiday parties or other events. Pottsville, 6 miles from New Philadelphia, has more dining options, such as The Crimson House, a café and bar, and Roma Pizza. The closest grocery stores are also in Pottsville and include Weis Markets and Aldi.
Single-family homes, condos and townhouses along suburban streets
Most homes are close together along gridded streets, some of which have narrow sidewalks. Other houses are set along winding roads surrounded by forest. Foursquare, Colonial Revival and ranch-styles are common, and many homes have deep porches with room for relaxing. Single-family homes range from $50,000 to $150,000. Townhouses and condos range from $60,000 to $100,000. Homes near the Schuylkill River may experience flooding during inclement weather.
Commuters use U.S. Route 209
Area houses of worship include Souls Harvest Baptist Church and Holy Cross Church. Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill is 5 miles away in Pottsville, using Route 209. Lehigh Valley International Airport is 50 miles away. Mazloom says many town residents work at the industrial plant operated by Hydro, an aluminum and renewable energy company. The facility is 10 miles away in Cressona.
Students attend schools in St. Clair and Pottsville
The Saint Clair Area School District operates Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle, which gets a C-plus from Niche, and covers kindergarten through eighth grade. Students may then attend Pottsville Area High, which earns a B and partners with the Schuylkill Technology Center for programs in health care, masonry and cosmetology.
Holiday celebrations at local park
James S Clark Memorial Field has a manicured baseball field for Little League games and a swing set. On Clay Street, there’s a play structure and basketball courts.
Environmental concerns on the Schuylkill River
Homes near the Schuylkill River may experience flooding during inclement weather. Discharge from abandoned mines can cause pollution issues in Schuylkill County, especially in old mining towns like New Philadelphia. The Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Site at the Silver Creek Mine opened in 2010 and cleans iron, aluminum, and manganese from the water before it's released into the Schuylkill River.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
