Ryan Township may be rural, but the community has space to catch up
In Schuylkill County’s Ryan Township residents live minutes from popular state parks, weekly bingo nights at the local fire station and annual ice cream socials at church. “It’s a bit quieter, off in a more rural area,” says Mike Postupack, a Realtor with Tammy Sword Realty. “They have their own township and a couple small stores. It’s more residential with a farm feel.”
Homes fill the eastern half of the township, while the western half is a destination for camping, fishing and golfing. Farmland and patches of dense trees add to the small-town atmosphere. Although life moves slowly here, people have plenty of ways to catch up with friends or take short trips to larger cities nearby, like Tamaqua and Hazelton.
Older Foursquares and newer Colonial Revivals with sprawling lawns
This community offers homes within walking distance of neighbors, as well as options tucked away. “There’s more land availability, so you have more chances to get a piece of property,” says Postupack, who grew up in nearby Rush Township. “There’s some new construction out that way and a few smaller developments.”
Most homes have Colonial Revival designs and sprawling lots, ranging from around $330,000 to almost $530,000. The lawns are large, and some even have in-ground pools in the backyard. Homes near Route 54 are often American Foursquares or ranch-styles built in the early 1900s. They can sell for almost $180,000 to roughly $330,000. Because these properties are older, driveways or detached garages are common. Residents who live directly off Route 54 may have to park behind their homes or access garages.
Chatting at the annual Strawberry Social or weekly bingo
Saint Peter’s United Church of Christ, established in the mid-1800s, is one of the township’s few places of worship. Every third Saturday in June, it opens its doors to the community for the Strawberry Social, a tradition for over 62 years. “There are tickets that are sold in advance for anyone to purchase from the church,” says Josh Nemeth, pastor of Saint Peter’s UCC. “The ticket is good for one strawberry shortcake with ice cream.” Nemeth says other food is also for sale, like burgers and pierogies. The event usually includes games. Visitors can enter the basket raffle to win prizes. “There is nothing greater than the community being able to come out and enjoy that time well spent in fellowship with one another,” Nemeth says.
The Ryan Township Fire Department organizes weekly bingo on Thursday evenings, and firefighters open the kitchen and sell scratch-made meals. Every July, a lineup of local bands plays at Grove Stock V while visitors relax in their folding chairs or order from food trucks.
Camping, fishing and hiking at Locust Lake State Park
Ryan residents already live among lush nature, but anyone who wants to sleep under the stars can drive roughly 10 minutes to Locust Lake State Park. Day visitors and campers can launch kayaks onto the lake or bike the trail that circles the water. When the lake freezes in winter, visitors might try their hand at ice fishing. Nearby Tuscarora State Park is another popular green space for anglers, boaters and campers. Anyone who prefers sand traps to sandy lake shores can play a round at Mountain Valley Golf Course, which has two 18-hole courses open to the public.
Traveling to Hazleton for work or personal emergencies
State Route 54 connects to nearby Interstate 81, which leads to the Humboldt Industrial Park, 14 miles away in Hazleton. People might travel to Hazleton to work for fulfillment centers or manufacturing plants. Nearby Mahanoy City and Rush Township have primary care centers, but the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton has the nearest emergency room. The Reading Regional Airport is 40 miles away, about an hour by car, but some people prefer to drive closer to 50 miles to the Lehigh Valley International Airport for more options.
Students learn in the Mahanoy Area School District
Residents in Ryan Township are in the Mahanoy Area School District, rated C-minus by Niche. The C-rated Mahanoy Area Elementary School serves kindergarten through sixth grade, and students later transfer to Mahanoy Area Junior/Senior High School, rated C-plus. A tornado damaged the school’s roof in 2024, jeopardizing the upcoming graduation, but workers moved quickly to complete essential repairs, allowing the ceremony to continue as scheduled in the school’s gym.
Nearby Rush Township has restaurants and grocery stores
Chantilly's Restaurant & Banquet Hall serves seafood and classic American fare for dinner on Wednesdays through Saturdays. Rush Township has a few more restaurants, like The Beacon Diner & Restaurant, which has served comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1941. The Dollar General in Ryan stays stocked with quick grocery options, but nearby Rush Township has a Walmart Supercenter and the busy Hometown Farmers Market.
