Penn Township offers suburban living, access to Hanover and Baltimore
Penn Township curves around the York County borough of Hanover, known as the Snack Food Capital of the World thanks to local manufacturers like Snyder of Hanover’s and Utz. Its crescent shape connects the cornfields and industrial parks of the countryside with suburban subdivisions and shopping centers, all within about an hour of more distant commuter destinations in Maryland. “Penn Township and all the little boroughs and places around Hanover have become popular for people working in Baltimore; it’s really ramped up in the past 15 years,” says Debbie McLaughlin, a Realtor with Cummings and Co. Realtors who has served northern Baltimore County and southern York County for 30 years. “If you want space, you can get it here. Beautiful countryside, the very pretty Codorus State Park and room to breathe. You might be driving farther, but not in back-to-back traffic the whole way.”
Decades of suburban development and a range of prices
Although farmland and prewar homes still pepper the community’s outskirts, much of Penn Township’s rolling countryside was developed into classic suburban neighborhoods after World War II. Quiet blocks and cul-de-sacs might be characterized by Cape Cods, ranch-style homes, split-levels or colonials, depending on whether they were built closer to the midcentury or the 1980s. Prices for these move-in-ready older homes range from around $200,000 to $600,000, depending on condition and whether they’re set along a suburban street or on a small acreage. From the 2000s through the 2020s, subdivisions of Colonial Revival and Craftsman-inspired New Traditional homes have popped up all over Penn Township. “Really, this area is competing with Baltimore suburbs for buyers,” McLaughlin says. “You can get a beautiful new four-bedroom colonial on half an acre for the same price you might get a townhouse in Owings Mills.” Prices for these new homes range widely from around $380,000 to $1.2 million, depending on age, square footage and whether the property is a half-acre or multiple acres in size.
Getting outside at state and Penn Township parks
Codorus State Park is a 3,500-acre recreation destination along Penn Township’s southeastern edge. Visitors might spend the day kayaking, swimming or fishing in Lake Marburg or stay dry on the park’s forested hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails. Penn Township Community Park is a grassy, tree-dotted space with a playground, baseball diamonds and volleyball courts. Young’s Woods is a more forested park and offers rentable picnic pavilions. Cyclists pedal along trolley lines laid by the York Railway Company on the Hanover Trolley Trail. Members swing on the South Hills Golf Club’s 27-hole course.
Attending the South Western School District
Penn Township is served by the South Western School District, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Kids might start at a few schools, including Baresville Elementary School, which earns a B from Niche. Emory H. Markle Middle School also gets a B. B-plus-rated South Western High School offers dual enrollment courses through institutions like York College.
Big box shopping and Hanover Snack Food
State Route 94 has developed a strip mall shopping district that runs through Penn Township toward Hanover. At the Grandview Plaza Shopping Center, locals might grab groceries at Weis Markets or enjoy a meal under decoratively painted umbrellas at Full Moon Japanese Restaurant. Away from this busier commercial strip, Clair’s Restaurant has been serving comforting diner fare since the 1970s. Bargain hunters score deals on chips and canned goods at the Snyder’s of Hanover Factory Store and Hanover Factory Outlet Store. Gateway Hanover Shopping Center is anchored by Target and Sam’s Club near northern Hanover’s heavy big box commercial district along Eisenhower Drive.
Nearby Snack Food Capital employment, commuting to Baltimore
Hanover may be called the Snack Food Capital of the World, but many Snyder’s of Hanover and Utz manufacturing and distribution centers are in Penn Township. UPMC Hanover, the nearest hospital and a significant local employer, is within about 2 miles of most residents. Rabbittransit buses make a handful of stops near industrial and commercial areas, but locals typically rely on cars to get around. Pennsylvania Route 94 becomes Maryland Route 30, starting commuters on the roughly 50-mile drive to Baltimore. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is also about 50 miles from home.
Township events and days out at Hickory Falls and HBC
The township’s municipal workers organize community events throughout the year, including the annual Easter egg hunt at Penn Township Community Park and the police department’s National Night Out festivities each August. Outside special events, Hickory Falls Family Entertainment Center is a colorful spot for laser tag, mini golf and go-karting. Casual bowlers, senior and youth leagues hit the lanes at Hanover Bowling Center. Several houses of worship hold religious services throughout the community, including St. Joseph Catholic Church.
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Written By
Julia Szymanski
