Porter Township has a laid-back country atmosphere close to nature
Porter Township’s farm fields arch across rolling hills that stretch toward the mountains surrounding it. This small Pennsylvania community in Schuylkill County includes slightly more densely populated areas along U.S. Route 209, like Muir and Orwin, and encapsulates the borough of Tower City. “Because it’s such a small town, you do feel like everyone’s looking out for you and you do know almost anyone and everyone,” says Francesca Imboden, a Realtor at Iron Valley Real Estate who has lived in Porter Township her whole life. “It’s nice in that way.” It’s the kind of friendly, slow-paced environment where people enjoy catching up at weekly sporting events. Porter Township’s connection to nature is another major draw for many, including Imboden. “I have an appreciation for the woods and being kind of disconnected from the fast-paced world,” she says. “But I like that you’re very close to big cities. If you need to go shopping or spend the day in the city, you can go to Hershey, Harrisburg or Selinsgrove.”
Older homes with views and acreage
Porter Township’s American Foursquares and colonials were often built before 1925. Houses are closer together near Route 209, but still tend to have decently sized backyards. More rural houses along sometimes narrow country roads are usually visible to each other but separated by farmland. “Often, you can get a nice piece of property, maybe 1 to 5 acres...,” Imboden says. “It gives you some breathing room.” Fixer-uppers occasionally drop to about $50,000, but most homes start closer to $140,000. In more populated areas, homes tend to max out at about $280,000, but houses with extensive acreage can climb as high as $630,000. “The sought-after homes would be the ones with mountain views or with views of the fields, because there’s a lot of rolling fields in our area and they’re beautiful,” Imboden says.
Off-roading and hiking through nature, youth sports at Tower City Park
People with off-road vehicles like trucks, Jeeps and SUVs head to Rausch Creek Off Road Park. There’s an entry fee, but its 3,000 acres are full of trails with varying difficulty levels. Those with quads, bikes and side-by-sides head instead to its nearby sister location, Rausch Creek Trail Riders. Hikers head to Big Mountain or the Gold Mine Gate trails, plus Sweet Arrow Lake County Park is 12 miles away. Imboden says youth sports are also big in Porter Township. The baseball and softball fields at Orwin Softball Field and Tower City Park often host games. During summer, residents cool off in the Porter-Tower Recreation Commission’s outdoor pool.
Demo derbies at the annual Gratz Fair
Although it’s about 17 miles away, the Gratz Fair is an annual fixture for locals. Started in 1873, it has traditional carnival rides and the grandstands fill up for its demo derbies. “It’s like adult bumper cars," Imboden says. "It is so fun; there’s no way you wouldn’t have a good time. And aside from that, the fair food is delicious, and there’s farm animals the kids can see.”
Attending Williams Valley schools
The Williams Valley School District, which consists of just two schools, has a C-minus on Niche. Williams Valley Elementary School teaches kindergarten through sixth grade and also earns a C-minus, while Williams Valley Junior/Senior High School has a C. In addition to dual enrollment and Advanced Placement classes, the high school offers job shadowing to give students hands-on experience in careers.
Access to I-81, less than an hour to nearby cities
Route 209 and state Route 325 are the biggest roads in this car-dependent township, but it takes just minutes to hop on Interstate 81. “We’re a small town on the outskirts of Lebanon and Harrisburg and Hershey, so within an hour you can be in those major cities,” Imboden says. Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital is about 25 miles away.
Restaurants on Route 209, driving for groceries
A handful of Italian restaurants dot Route 209, including Nino’s Italian Family Restaurant. Residents often head into Tower City to meet friends at O’Neal’s 4th Street Station Pub for drinks and wings or drive 20 miles for dinner and live music at the iconic Carsonville Hotel. Groceries are a bit of a trek. Redner’s Warehouse Markets is about 7 miles away, and there are two Boyer’s Food Market locations about 10 miles away. For busy folks who want to minimize travel time, Imboden says, Walmart delivers groceries to the area. About 16 miles away, Crossroads Market is a year-round farmers market that meets weekly. “Everything is local, which is really nice,” Imboden says. “It’s almost like you’re stepping back in time a little bit to a slower lifestyle, but in the best way.”
Nearby biosolid facilities lead to local protests
Residents have raised complaints about odors created by biosolids facilities near Porter Township. People in the area continue to push for better odor management.
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Written By
Christina Norwood
