$193,268Average Value$208Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Rustic cabins in the Appalachian Plateau
The mountainous terrain of rural Snow Shoe Township, 30 miles from State College Borough, sits on the Appalachian Plateau and is a getaway for those craving summertime solitude. Secluded cabins dot the rural landscape, hidden in thick trees along dirt roads. Year-round residents settle in small communities within the township, like Snow Shoe Borough, Clarence and Moshannon. “It’s a peaceful area,” says Don Myers, a Realtor with RE/MAX Centre Realty. “It’s not in a heavily populated area, so you have a lot of elbow room and can appreciate the country lifestyle up there.”
The area was once a well-visited vacation and coal-mining location before the closure of the Bellefonte and Snow Shoe Railroad. Although the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has been cleaning and reclaiming old mining sites within Snow Shoe and nearby state game lands, residents are reminded of Snow Shoe’s history through the Lions David House Heritage Museum, an old housing unit for mine workers, and the yellow streams that traverse the mountaintop. “There was a lot of soft coal mining in the Snow Shoe and Moshannon area,” says Myers. “If you get on into Snow Shoe, a lot of the streams are yellowish. You see the water flowing down, and it’s yellow in color. The state does some mediation in places to clean up that area.” In 2012, the Centre County Conservation District, with the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps and the Trout Susquehanna Restoration Coalition, tested waters in and around Snow Shoe, determining that only Beech Creek, outside the township, was affected by mine drainage. Despite this, campers can still be seen carrying water bottles and jugs along for their summer getaways.
Summer cabins and long-term residences in Snow Shoe
Homes are in organized communities or scattered around the mountaintop in secluded clearings. Most communities have year-round houses, while the cabins are secondary vacation homes for hunting or summer getaways. Cabins have varying degrees of rustic living; some lack electricity and running water. Year-round houses have electricity and running water, often clustered along gridded streets or off state routes. Homes are in the cabin, farmhouse and ranch styles. These range from $150,000 to $325,000. The CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, which is below the national average is 4.
Homes in Snow Shoe's villages harken back to a simpler time.
Houses in Snow Shoe often sit on wide lots.
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ATVs permitted on Snow Shoe Trail
The Peale Tunnel, stretching over 1,000 feet, rumbles with ATVs meandering down Snow Shoe Trail, part of an over 40-mile scenic trail system for snowmobiles, ATVs, hikers, bikers and equestrians. ATV riding is a popular pastime in rural townships, and locals have fought for the right to do so. The Snow Shoe Industrial Track rail line was railbanked in 1993, meaning it would be used for recreation but could become a railroad should the need arise. Railbanked trails rarely allow motorized vehicles, so locals struck a deal with Headwaters Charitable Trust, a nonprofit that aims to expand recreational opportunities in Pennsylvania and helped the old railroad become railbanked. Passionate ATV riders formed the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association and were given trail ownership in 1999. The association still maintains the trails today, and locals can be seen riding through the rugged terrain of bucolic Snow Shoe Township on their beloved four-wheelers.
Locals as well as tourists flock to Snow Shoe's ATV trails.
Snow Shoe Rails To Trails has a large network of ATV trails for local riders to enjoy.
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Local sandwich shop popular with ATV riders
The township has a few small restaurants and shops, including Brother’s Pizza in Snow Shoe Borough for Italian fare. Newman’s Sandwich Shop, a popular ATV stop, serves subs, burgers and wings in a small, diner-style locale. Groceries are available at the nearby Dollar General and at Mt View Market Place Deli in Kylertown, 18 miles away or Weis Market in Philipsburg, 28 miles away.
Newman's Sandwich Shop is a popular spot for casual eating in Snow Shoe.
Popular local chain Brother's Pizza has a shop in Snow Shoe.
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Lumber Legacy Days at Black Moshannon State Park
Black Moshannon State Park, 27 miles away, hosts a Lumber Legacy Days event in July. Visitors may explore the park, witness live lumberjack demonstrations and visit with exotic animals brought by Exotic Edventures, an exotic animal education and rescue organization. During the fall, Snow Shoe hosts a Fall Festival and Car Show with local vendors, food, an auction and a power wheel parade. Religious services are held at Snow Shoe Church of Christ, Mountaintop Alliance Church and Queen of Archangels Catholic Church.
Students host craft fair at Bald Eagle Area Middle and High School
Bald Eagle Area School District serves the Snow Shoe Township area and receives a B-minus from Niche. Children may attend Mountaintop Area Elementary School, which receives a B, and Bald Eagle Area Middle and High School, which receives a B-minus. The Bald Eagle Area High School Spanish Club plans, advertises and hosts a Fall Craft and Gift Fair at the school each year.
Mountainous area makes travel difficult
“You can’t get there easily,” says Myers. “There’s no straight line through the mountains. So, it’s probably one of the reasons why it is still pretty much rural. People don’t want to drive that distance.” While the township is remote, Interstate 80 cuts through the area, leading to Kylertown and New York City. Other state routes pass through the mountainous region, such as 144, which connects the Moshannon and Snow Shoe Borough communities. ATVs are also allowed on roadways. The State College Regional Airport is 26 miles away. The Mount Nittany Medical Center is 30 miles away.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
State College Regional
41 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Snow Shoe
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Snow Shoe Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Snow Shoe, Snow Shoe Township sell after 3 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Snow Shoe, Snow Shoe Township over the last 12 months is $410,000, down 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifully updated ranch home on full walk-out basement on .42 acre lot. This charming 1990 home has been thoughtfully updated and offers modern amenities with spacious, comfortable living. Enjoy a brand-new kitchen featuring soft-close cabinetry, ample counter space, a built-in China cabinet, and new stainless steel appliances, including a Bosch dishwasher and a new gas range. The home boasts
There's something great about going off grid. This cabin is where you can escape the hustle and bustle world and sit on your front porch and enjoy the peace and quiet and watch the wildlife roam through. The cabin offers two bedrooms plus large loft that can sleep 4+. Wood stove in the living room that has pine flooring. Enjoy your evenings out on the rear deck that has an awning. Great hunting
Sandra SoudenBetter Homes & Gardens Real Estate - GSA Realty
WOW! This cabin was 95% lovingly remodeled in 2022, and is now more reminiscent of an attractive, cozy home rather then a rugged cabin. You will be delighted to find an open concept living room and kitchen, 2 good sized bedrooms, and a spacious full bathroom inside. No more trekking to the outhouse in the middle of the night, unless you want to! Some of the valuable updates are; a new well,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nik Stover,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,586
Median Age
50
Population under 18
20.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.4%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$61,791
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$76,298
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.6%
College Graduates
10.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
6/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
