Saltlick

Like much of Fayette County, Saltlick Township was once rich in coal and agriculture. Today, these industries have all but disappeared, leaving behind what Martie Cain, Secretary Treasurer of Saltlick Township and lifelong resident, describes as "…a collection of seven communities centered around themselves with unique identities, but complementing one another in a way that creates a tight-knit community." <br><br>Connected by winding roads heavy with trees and undergrowth, these smaller areas host what Cain calls "patch housing," or small clusters of homes surrounding post offices, churches or small businesses. The average home, which might be a 1970s ranch house with 1,300 square feet and three bedrooms, lists in the mid-$200,00s but can range in style and price from restored mid-19th century farmhouses with three bedrooms and a full basement for $175,000 to modern log cabins with three bedrooms for $375,000. You'll also find homes on farmsteads and private acreage. A three-bedroom ranch house with 2,000 square feet, custom finishings, outbuildings and a pool on 2 acres could cost you $220,000. Or, along the township's eastern border near the Seven Springs Mountain Resort, you can find luxury mountain estates with eight bedrooms, panoramic mountain views and 15 acres for $1.5 million or more. <br><br>While many families have been in Saltlick for generations, Cain feels that change is afoot. "Fayette County is a more depressed area in terms of overall wealth," admits Cain. "More young people are moving into cities like Pittsburgh, but on the other hand, we're getting people from Pittsburgh who want to leave the city for a quaint and quiet life. We're also seeing vacation rental investors." <br><br>Set against stunning mountain backdrops, these rental properties draw people from all over, but it's not just tourists who revel in rural beauty here. Cain says, "We're active, and you'll always find locals on the trails or trout fishing in Indian Valley Creek." The Indian Valley Creek Trail is one of the most popular destinations in the area for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with 10 miles of paths slicing through shady forests and rocky outcrops. Just off the trail, C.W. Resh Park provides a tot-friendly playground tucked among tall trees and athletic courts that entertain bigger kids. A gazebo and several pavilions offer the perfect place to settle in with a good book while listening to the babbling creek nearby. You'll also find outdoor groups like the Indian Creek Valley Sportsman Club and the Indian Creek Valley ATV Club and camping at Mountain Pines Campground. Choose from tent sites, RV hook-ups or cabins and enjoy swimming, mini-golf, a snack shack, playgrounds, sports facilities, special events, theme weekends and fishing. Saltlick locals stay environmentally active, too, thanks to the Mountain Watershed Association, which has restored 70% of the Indian Creek Watershed since 1994. The association also hosts events, like trail walks, member parties, litter clean-ups, fly fishing workshops and community education.<br><br>Although many locals commute the 50 or so miles to Pittsburgh for work, a feat made easier because Pennsylvania Route 711 bisects the township, one of the largest employers in Saltlick is the Connellsville Area School District, where many local students attend. Little learners can start at Springfield Elementary, which earns a C-rating from Niche. Middle schoolers head to Connellsville Area Middle, which earns a C-minus from Niche and offers dozens of clubs from athletics to arts to academics. Connellsville Area High School earns a C from Niche and gives students a head start with College in High School, a program that allows them to take early college courses. <br><br>Retail and dining are scarce overall, but G&D Market has provided grocery staples since it started as a supply stop for coal miners. Today, it's still going strong and stays packed with friendly neighbors. The same holds true for the Creekside Grill, a homey diner serving down-home fare to locals and visitors alike. For more expansive options, you'll need to head 10 or 15 miles northwest to Mount Pleasant or southwest to Connellsville. <br><br>While Saltlick Township no longer offers the mining and agriculture it once did, it has retained its greatest treasures—verdant natural beauty and a close-knit community where you'll always feel at home.