Rush Township offers close neighbors access to bigger cities
Rush Township is an area in Schuylkill County where people can live close to their neighbors in Hometown or Quakake or be among nature near Lake Hauto. Mike Postupack is a Realtor with Tammy Sword Realty who was born and raised in the area and knows first-hand how close residents can get in an area like Hometown. “It's a very tight-knit area,” Postupack says. “I mean, how many people can say they're from Hometown U.S.A.? Everyone is your neighbor, and people like the small-town feel. There’s a mentality of everyone knows everyone, and everyone can call their neighbors for help.” Rush Township blends the feeling of being tucked away in the valley of Nesquehoning Mountain, surrounded by farms and forests, with easy access to larger and busier cities, like Hazleton and even Wilkes-Barre.
From Cape Cods and New Traditionals to lakefront homes
Some homes have been in the area for decades, while some were built in the last 10 years, just as some residents have lived in Rush Township all their lives, while others have recently moved in. “People keep up their homes, and they take pride in living here,” says Postupack. “We’re starting to see my generation moving back. There’s growth, too. If we can find a lot, people will buy it and build a home. I built my house in 2021, and three more were built around the same time.” Cape Cods and New Traditional homes can sell for nearly $360,000 to $470,000, while ranch-style houses and cottages range from roughly $160,000 to about $350,000. Properties in need of major repairs have sold for less than $160,000. The Lake Hauto community has small cabins to grand lakefront homes with private docks and beaches. Homeowners pay around $60 in monthly HOA fees to access Lake Hauto Club’s shore and boat launch, and anyone who lives directly on the water is likely in a flood zone.
Commuting to jobs in Hazleton or the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area
State Route 309 cuts down the middle of the township and is a major path for morning commuters. Postupack says Rush Township has seen residents move in for access to jobs in nearby Hazleton, especially at manufacturing and fulfillment centers in Humboldt’s Industrial Park. “Rush Township is between Allentown and the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, and there’s industry in both places,” Postupack says. “It’s a halfway point without a huge commute.” Some people commute 45 miles to Wilkes-Barre for work or to fly out of Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport. LVPG Family Medicine-Hometown offers primary care services in the township, while Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton is the nearest facility for medical emergencies. Rush Township’s places of worship are churches set on back roads and surrounded by countryside, like Bethany United Methodist Church. Although, Ebenezer United Methodist Church is within walking distance of homes in Quakake.
Public Tamaqua schools or private Catholic institutions
Most of Rush Township is in the Tamaqua Area School District, which is rated C-plus by Niche. Tamaqua Elementary School earns a C and feeds into Tamaqua Area Middle School, also rated C. Tamaqua Area High School receives a B-minus. Tamaqua Area High graduates automatically qualify for a two-year scholarship to Lehigh Carbon Community College, which has a campus in downtown Tamaqua. Rush Township is also home to the currently unrated St. Jerome Regional School, a private Catholic school that offers kindergarten through eighth grade. Students can later attend Marian Catholic High School, which gets a B-plus. A small portion of residents who live closer to Grier City may be zoned for the Mahanoy Area School District, rated C-minus.
Fishing in Tuscarora State Park or celebrating summer in Tamaqua
Postupack points out how close Rush Township is to the Poconos Mountains and the Jim Thorpe area, both major tourist attractions. Rush residents are close to these outdoor destinations without dealing with busy seasonal traffic. Tuscarora State Park is close to home and known for its lake access and camping grounds. Some anglers prefer to kayak out onto Tuscarora Lake before casting a line into the water. Visitors can relax at the picnic tables before hitting 9 miles of trails or walking to the lake’s beach. “The township is active with events like Easter egg hunts, and the fire company does chicken barbecues,” Postupack says. “Us being part of Tamaqua, we can go a mile and a half down the hill for the Annual Tamaqua Summerfest.” Every June, downtown Tamaqua becomes the venue for live bands, local vendors, horse-drawn trolley rides and games. The craft and vendor fair is the official sign that summer has returned.
Restaurants and farmers markets that have been around for decades
The Beacon Diner & Restaurant has been a local staple for over 80 years. Breakfast is served all day, but people might order classic American or Greek-inspired dishes for lunch and dinner. Skips Dairy Bar & Grill has changed names and hands a few times in the 60 years it's been open, but the restaurant has stayed a local favorite for breakfast, lunch, dinner and ice cream. Residents can get groceries at the Walmart Supercenter or fresh produce at Zukovich’s Farm Market, which also houses Rough Cut Barbeque, a popular lunch spot.
The Dunn family has owned and operated Hometown Farmers Market since 1982. Every Wednesday, vendors set up shop at the market and sell everything from fresh produce and homemade treats to antiques and clothes. The market is especially busy during the Hometown Farmers Market Craft Shows in May and September.
