About 5 miles southwest of the Electric City between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre is the quiet borough of Old Forge. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains along the Lackawanna River, with a view of the scenic Pocono Mountains, Old Forge offers breathtaking natural beauty. The borough’s original use was to be a forge for converting ore into iron, with roots dating back to the 18th century. Now, the neighborhood has its signature claim to fame as the Pizza Capital of the World, serving Old Forge-style, square pizza in over 160 different shops. Homebuyers come to Old Forge for its lower taxes compared to nearby, more populated areas, such as Scranton. Residents have built a strong, close community, participating in events and cheering on the local Blue Devils in football. Small businesses, CVS, Rite Aid and other markets are available for essentials in the borough, but residents are also close to the big-name stores, such as the Walmart Supercenter or the Giant, further north in Scranton. The closest medical facility, Geisinger Community Medical Center, is within 6 miles of the borough, as well. Old Forge converges history, community, nature and pizza to create a unique borough of Lackawanna County.
The Pizza Capital of the World
In Old Forge, pizzas are square, and people order it by the “tray.” The borough has been making pizza since the 1920s, whereas in perspective, Chicago Deep Dish was not invented until 1943. The Ghigiarelli Family started making pizza for Italian coal miners for a late-night snack after working all day. Miners would come to the family’s restaurant to play cards, wind down and indulge in homemade pizza. Now, locals flock to restaurants such as Arcaro and Gennell, Anthony’s and Revello’s, to name a few. There is a balance between small markets, locally owned businesses and bigger stores in Old Forge. For example, CVS and Rite Aid are available in town, but there is also the community Old Forge Pharmacy. The Walmart Supercenter and Giant are about 3 and 6 miles away, respectively.
Come and grab what you need at Rossi's Market in Old Forge, PA.
Largo's Place in Old Forge, PA serves up amazing sandwiches and pastas.
Old Forge, PA is known for their different delicious pizzas.
Come for the great flavors of Mary Lou's Pizza in Old Forge, PA.
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Various home sizes in Old Forge
Old Forge offers an array of homes catering to various budgets and preferences. Traditional- and ranch-style homes are popular in the borough and typically sell between $100,000 and $300,000. Larger traditional- and Colonial-style, and sometimes even Victorian homes, tend to start around $400,000. Residential streets have hilly terrain, so some homes are strategically built on a slant, with attached garages and driveways on the lower level of the property. Homes tend to have backyards, and more spacious plots have front lawns, as well. Many residential streets lack sidewalks, but residents agree that the borough is still relatively walkable. “There are a lot of small businesses, banks, salons, everything is within walking distance,” says Christine Kovaleski, local Realtor for around 30 years at ERA One Source Realty.
Live in a beautiful brick façade craftsman style home in Old Forge, PA.
Residents in Old Forge, PA enjoy spacious living with garages in their craftsman style homes.
Live amongst friendly neighbors at Old Forge, PA.
Residents of Old Forge, PA live in spacious colonial style homes.
Cozy bungalow homes in Old Forge, PA are perfect for a starter home.
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Old Forge School District
The Old Forge School District, rated C-plus on Niche, serves the borough. Children can attend Old Forge Elementary School, which scores a C-plus on Niche. Elementary students can participate in various activities, such as music lessons and theater. Old Forge Junior-Senior High School also earns a C-plus. The whole community comes together to cheer on the Blue Devils football team and throw fundraisers. These events include Designer Bag Bingo, where participants can support the school district by purchasing bingo cards and raffle tickets for a chance to win a luxury purse.
Old Forge Elementary School is a good school to enroll your child.
Enroll your child at Old Forge Junior High School and watch them grow.
Students at Old Forge High School enjoy a safe and comfortable place to study and learn.
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Lackawanna County outdoor adventures
Miles Street Community Park offers a baseball field, tennis and basketball courts and green space for Old Forge residents. While there are few established parks in the borough, there are plenty of options in the surrounding Lackawanna County. Popular activities include camping, hiking and fishing in the mountains and along the Lackawanna River. Residents go to McDade Park for its arboretum, walking and biking trails and pools and playground, just 4 miles away. “McDade Park is a really popular spot in the county. It has everything there,” Kovaleski says.
Mile Street Community Park in Old Forge is a great place to watch and cheer on your local teams.
Lackawanna River is a beautiful place to visit while living in Old Forge, PA.
Beautiful nature awaits you just outside your window at Old Forge, PA.
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Christmas spirit of Snow Forge
The annual extravaganza, Snow Forge, transforms the borough into a winter wonderland each year. The event includes horse and carriage rides, visits with Santa, vendors, a Jingle Bell Jog and other festive activities. Residents work to adorn the town with twinkling lights, and the event attracts locals around the county.
COLTS and proximity to I-81
Locals can take the County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) bus around the county, or hop on major highways close by, such as Interstates 81 and 84 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is only a few miles away from the borough and offers daily direct flights to cities such as New York and Orlando.
Public transportation is reliable in Old Forge, PA.
I have been a REALTOR since 2004. My love of architecture and design lead me to getting my REAL ESTATE LICENSE. I enjoy working with sellers and buyers and helping them with their real estate goals! My certifications include Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®), Referral Channel rCertified?, Accredited Buyer’s Representative® (ABR), Certified Listing Agent
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
