Rural North Manheim has accessibility
The rolling greenery of the Appalachian Mountains gives way to the sprawling farmland of North Manheim Township, 5 miles from Pottsville, Pennsylvania. The township is known for its country feel, accessibility and price range. “The cost of living compared to surrounding Counties to the south and east, along with easy access to main corridors such as Interstates 78 and 81,” says Wayne Bowen, the chairman and a member of the board of township supervisors for North Manheim Township and Tami Stump, the township secretary/treasurer. “It’s family-oriented and somewhat of a bedroom community.” State routes within the township lead to the nearby boroughs of Cressona, Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville for those commuting to work or looking for entertainment.
Single-family homes on large lots
Homes are either near state Route 443 or along winding roadways near or attached to farmland among the rolling, green hills of North Manheim. Most houses have large lots surrounded by maple and ash trees. Residences are predominantly single-family, but there are townhouses available. National, Colonial Revival and saltbox styles are common. They range in price from $75,000 to $550,000. Townhouses, mainly row homes, range from $145,000 to $235,000.
Commuters use state Route 61
“We border 13 other municipalities, thus providing many local employment opportunities,” says Bowen and Stump. North Manheim surrounds Schuylkill Haven and Cressona for those working in the Schuylkill Haven School District or at the Hydro Extrusion plant. State Route 61 leads 5 miles to Pottsville for more employment, restaurants, retailers and entertainment. Route 61 also leads to Interstate 78, 13 miles away, and Interstate 81, 20 miles away.
Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill is 5 miles away in Pottsville, and Lehigh Valley International Airport is 49 miles away. Saint Ambrose Church borders Schuylkill Haven. For emergencies, North Manheim is served by the Pennsylvania State Police and the County Mutual aid for fires. “We make annual donations to 10 individual volunteer fire companies from Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven, Landingville, Cressona and Orwigsburg, who have agreed to respond to emergencies in our Township,” says Bowen and Stump.
Shopping and dining along state Routes 443 and 61
Most restaurants and retailers are along state Routes 443 and 61, such as Renninger’s Farmers Market, an indoor flea market open every weekend. The market sells farm-fresh food, artisanal goods and collectible merchandise like Pokémon cards and vinyl records. Along Route 61 is the Manheim Diner, a reflective silver building with a 1950s space-age aesthetic that serves classic diner food like burgers and fries. Nearby is the Cressona Mall, which has a GIANT grocery store. The Nutty Pear is a small American restaurant in a log cabin along West Adamsdale Road. The restaurant is open three days a week from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is known for its stuffed salmon and romantic atmosphere. “Chain restaurants and coffee shops such as Texas Roadhouse, Starbucks and possibly Chipotle will soon be breaking in our Township,” says Bowen and Stump. More shopping and dining are within Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven, which have a mix of chain and locally owned restaurants.
Parks and recreation in North Manheim
The private Schuylkill Country Club has an 18-hole course with a Swim and Recreation Complex with two pools and tennis courts. Along Greenview Road is the Schuylkill Racquet Club & Fitness, a gym offering classes such as yoga, pickleball and cardio. State Game Lands 286 is near the Schuylkill River and covers 478 acres, and residents may hunt, hike and fish in the area. Near state Route 61 is the Forest Hills Playground, a large open field centered around a pastel playground and a hard-top tennis court for pick-up games.
Students attend schools through the Blue Mountain School District
The Blue Mountain School District, which gets a B from Niche, serves the area. Children may attend Blue Mountain East Elementary, which gets a B, Blue Mountain Middle, which receives a B-minus and Blue Mountain High, which gets a B. The Blue Mountain district offers a virtual academy for students to participate in online learning. Penn State has a campus within the township, where students may attend undergraduate and associate classes.
Events in Pottsville
The D.G. Yuengling & Son in Pottsville is America’s Oldest Brewery. Locals and visitors alike have toured the brewery or stopped for a pint. In January, at Alvernia University-Potsville College Towne, the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce hosts Winterfest, an annual festival celebrating the winter season with vendors, ice sculpture demonstrations and a pierogi eating contest.
Environmental concerns in North Manheim
The Schuylkill River may flood during inclement weather, and coal mining has impacted the river's water quality. “The devastating effects of coal mining in Northern Schuylkill County (particularly abandoned mine drainage) and the discharge of untreated wastes have severely impacted the Schuylkill River, which flows through the Township,” says Bowen. “However, in the recent decades, several watershed groups have completed watershed restoration projects, and communities have built new or upgraded sewer systems that discharge clean water to the river.”
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
