Scenic mountain views in Pen Mar, right on the Mason-Dixon line
Pen Mar is a rural Franklin County community named for its position along the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. Mostly made up of forests, country roads and a handful of unassuming neighborhood streets, this pocket along the Mason-Dixon Line is perhaps most notable as a stop along the Appalachian Trail. Long-time residents and through-hikers alike often stop to enjoy the scenery. “Homes here offer a view of the entire valley, all the way to Tuscarora Mountain,” says Matthew Gunder, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. People who set down roots in Pen Mar enjoy quiet country living near quaint local parks, state-spanning recreation areas and larger community, cultural and commuter hubs in both Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Getting outside and enjoying events in the Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Trail passes through Pen Mar, taking day-trippers and through-hikers across the Maryland border and deep into the heart of the Keystone State. In Maryland, Pen Mar Park is on the site of a former 19th-century amusement park that was closed in the 1940s. Today, its covered pavilions, playgrounds, panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains and annual music events make it a popular recreation destination. Red Run Park is a family-friendly spot with a playground, fishing pond and a miniature train for kids to ride. Red Run Park hosts an annual car show, bringing in brightly colored automobiles from as far back as the 1940s. Bluegrass bands occasionally perform, adding to the region’s Appalachian atmosphere.
Single-family homes in subdivisions, on mountainous rural acreage
Along Pen Mar’s ranging hills, buyers can find suburban-style subdivisions and rural single-family homes of many kinds. “In Edgewood Estates, houses have lots of landscaping with vegetable and flower gardens. Residents can enjoy privacy in a private neighborhood,” Gunder says. Communities like Edgewood Estates are full of a blend of Colonial Revivals, bi-levels, split-levels and ranch-style homes built from the 1960s through 2000s. Many types of homes have been custom-built along country roads, offering even more privacy and the opportunity to live on acreage in the woods. Panoramic views of the surrounding mountains are a selling point for many properties, visible between coves of dense forest. Prices can range from around $230,000 to $500,000, depending on the size and condition of the home and its surrounding property.
Commercial life in Rouzerville
Pen Mar is almost entirely residential, but locals can get most of their shopping and dining done a couple of miles away in Rouzerville. The Rouzerville Commons shopping center has a Walmart and Lowe’s for household and grocery needs. Chain and local restaurants are nearby, including the barbecue-centric Red Run Grill and Applebee’s. Michaux Brewing Company is a newer, trendier spot that serves Pennsylvania-made beers and other craft beverages. Down the road, the Pen Mar Antique Market is an old-fashioned antique mall filled with vendor booths packed with vintage trinkets.
Well-rated Waynesboro Area School District
Kids can attend schools in the Waynesboro Area School District, which earns a B from Niche. Hooverville Elementary School gets a B-minus, while Waynesboro Area Middle School receives a C-plus. B-rated Waynesboro Area Senior High School offers College in the High School courses through Hagerstown Community College and the University of Pittsburgh, letting students earn college credit while still enrolled in WASHS.
Commuting between Pennsylvania and Maryland
From Pen Mar's quiet neighborhoods, it’s a straightforward drive to regional hubs and employment centers. Hagerstown is less than 15 miles across the Maryland border. Chambersburg, the Franklin County seat, is about 20 miles away, as is the college town and historic site of Gettysburg. Waynesboro is closer to 5 miles away, home to WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital. Both Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport are about 70 miles from home.
![Julia Szymanski]()
Written By
Julia Szymanski
