Along the Appalachian Trail
When homebuyers think about moving to Pennsylvania, they might imagine living in the bustling “City of Brotherly Love,” in one of Pittsburgh’s many smalltown suburbs or even in a small semi-rural community deep in the heart of the Keystone State. What often slips the mind is the stretch of Maryland borderland along the Mason-Dixon Line that gives the Pennsylvania-side city of “Pen Mar” half of its name. Located halfway between the historic battlefields of Gettysburg and Antietam, and just a short drive from the regional hub of Waynesboro, Pen Mar is perhaps most notable as a stop along the Appalachian Trail. Less than 950 people call Pen Mar their home, but homebuyers looking to live in a stately Colonial Revival house or a cozy ranch-style home sitting along Appalachian hillsides may find their desired oasis of serene nature in Pen Mar.
A city surrounded by nature
Pen Mar is perhaps most famous as a stop along the Appalachian Trail, which crosses the Pennsylvania-Maryland border at Pen Mar and runs deep into the heart of the Keystone State. On the Maryland side of the border, Pen Mar Park, a former amusement park founded in 1877, dismantled in 1943 and reopened in 1977, is a popular venue for outdoor recreation. Its covered pavilions, playgrounds, annual music events and panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains, South Mountain and rural Pennsylvania have drawn thousands of locals to this natural attraction for years. Red Run Park is a popular venue for family fun due to its playground, its fishing opportunities and even a miniature train that kids can ride for the price of a voluntary donation. This park is also locally famous for its annual car show, which showcases brightly colored automobiles from as far back as the 1940s. Bluegrass bands occasionally serenade park-goers and add folksy music to the Appalachian atmosphere this park offers.
Conveniences around the corner
Pen Mar is almost entirely residential, but neighboring Rouzerville has every shopping and dining convenience that residents could want. The Rouzerville Commons shopping center is home to a Walmart for groceries, a Lowe’s to cover homeowners’ landscaping needs, and even a selection of brand-name and local restaurants varying from a sushi restaurant to an Applebee’s. Beer connoisseurs may enjoy a visit to the Michaux Brewing Company, which brings out local flavors and creativity through popular drinks such as its cider selection. Additionally, the Pen Mar Antique Market is a treasure trove of oldies and goodies.
Homes in the hills
For such a small city, Pen Mar boasts an impressive variety of housing stock, varying in style from ranch-style and bungalow homes to new-traditional and Colonial Revival houses, in size from 2-bedroom ranches to 5-bedroom estates and in price from $155,000 to $505,000. Many homes sit along hillsides due to Pen Mar’s location among the Appalachian Mountains, with streets closer to the state line tending to meander down slopes and streets in western Pen Mar often consisting of grid-patterned residential lanes. Realtor Matthew Gunder of Coldwell Banker says, “Homes here offer a view of the entire valley, all the way to the Tuscarora Mountains.” Despite Pen Mar’s somewhat remote location, homes tend to sell after just 25 days on the market, compared to the national average of 42 days. The average home price has fluctuated over the years, rising from $169,541 in January 2020 to $253,979 in 2024, with Pen Mar’s panoramic views of the towering Appalachian Mountains and its proximity to regional employment hubs like Hagerstown and Waynesboro adding to its appeal. Gunder adds, “In Edgewood Estates, houses have lots of landscaping with vegetable and flower gardens. Residents can enjoy privacy in a private neighborhood.”
Strong schools in the Waynesboro area
Local students can attend the Waynesboro Area School District, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche. The Waynesboro Area Senior High School is recognized as being among the 235 best public high schools in the state, as students benefit from strong teaching quality as well as a diverse array of technological programs varying from web development and mechanics to the culinary arts and cosmetology. The school also sports a strong 92% graduation rate, and many of its students go on to attend the prestigious Penn State for college.
Between two battlefields
Pen Mar lacks its own public transport system, but locals are within a short drive from regional cultural hubs and employment centers. Pen Mar commuters can reach Hagerstown within a 15-mile and 25-minute drive and Chambersburg within a 20-mile and 35-minute drive, while Waynesboro is a mere 5 miles and approximately 12 minutes away. Likewise, the college town and historic site of Gettysburg is located within a 30-minute and 20-mile drive to the northeast, while the Antietam National Battlefield is just 30 miles and 40 minutes to the southwest, making for excellent school trips.
Public safety
Pen Mar is served by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. In 2023, the Franklin County Free Press recorded that Franklin County had experienced a total of 2,258 property and violent crime in 2020, translating to a crime rate of 1,447 crimes per 100,000 residents, a rate well below the state average of 2,647 per 100,000. That same article relates how Franklin County has consistently ranked among the top ten safest counties in the state, due in part to the county’s low population density and its strong sense of community.
