The seclusion of Star Tannery’s mountains and valleys has long made it an ideal home for nature retreats and campgrounds. There’s not much else in this region of Frederick County along the West Virginia state line, a fact that draws nature lovers who want to be far from city life. Mountains to the east and west invite hikers and mountain bikers, while farms in between sell goat milk soap and offer home deliveries of dairy for the fridge and manure for the garden. It’s about 30 minutes to Winchester, a city of 28,000 people where Star Tannery residents can take care of errands and shopping.
Rural homes and spacious lots for sale
Most houses are in the lower-lying central and eastern areas of Star Tannery. Ranch homes and Colonial Revivals often perch on hillsides, with screened-in or covered porches facing distant ridges. On the more mountainous west side, trees surround cabins and new traditional houses. There are also large, wooded lots for those who want to build a custom home. Houses generally sell between $315,000 and $550,000. Parcels of land vary from $65,000 to $120,000. The CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Getting outdoors on local trails and at national forests
Hiking and mountain biking trails surround Star Tannery, with Devil’s Backbone State Forest to the southeast and a portion of the 1.8 million-acre George Washington National Forest to the northwest. There are also trailheads for the Tuscarora Trail, which spans 250 miles from Virginia to Pennsylvania. Shelters along the route provide overnight hikers with places to sleep, and the Star Tannery portion of the trail passes by Eagle Rock, a vista with views of George Washington National Forest. Hunting and fishing are also popular. Double Spur Outfitters leads guided hunts for those who want to bag black bears, deer and turkeys.
Children zoned to Frederick County Public Schools
The public schools that students can attend are all 10 to 15 miles outside of Star Tannery. Children may begin at Indian Hollow Elementary, graded a C-plus by Niche, before advancing to Robert E. Aylor Middle, which gets a B-minus. The original Aylor Middle School campus closed in 2021 after more than 50 years of use. The district replaced it with a new building designed with an open-concept library and classrooms that accommodate woodworking and agriculture courses. Located less than 2 miles from the middle school, Sherando High receives a B-plus.
Barbecue chicken and banjo pickin’ at the Gravel Springs Picnic
The community started a picnic in 1873 for the employees of the local tannery that gave the community its name. The Gravel Springs Picnic has continued for more than 150 years, outlasting the tannery, which closed more than a century ago. Today, hundreds gather every August to continue the tradition with an afternoon of barbecue chicken, country ham and bluegrass music at Gravel Springs Lutheran Church.
Most nearby businesses are in Winchester, Strasburg
One of the only retail businesses is The Corners Bar and Grill, where stained glass windows, neon beer signs and dangling skeletons decorate the walls. People stop in for burgers, beer, darts and occasional live music. Pembroke Springs Retreat has been operating in Star Tannery since 2001, welcoming guests who want to rent a room in the quiet countryside, relax in the retreat’s Japanese baths and hike the nature trails winding through the property. Simply Shenandoah, a 640-acre nature retreat with a spa and treehouses, plans to open on a Star Tannery hilltop in 2027. About 10 miles south of Star Tannery, several restaurants line East King Street in downtown Strasburg. The downtown area has experienced a comeback in the past decade, says Brian Doman, a Preslee Real Estate Realtor and Strasburg native. “The thing we had before was a lot of empty buildings downtown. Now, when you come into downtown, we have a pavilion that, in spring and summer, they bring in different bands and singers,” he says. “They put in Box Office Brewery, which has good food and a local owner. We’ve got a hot doggery. We’ve got a nutritional shake place. Things are starting to grow here.” Fifteen miles outside of Star Tannery, Winchester is home to banks, supermarkets and nationally known retailers such as Walmart, Costco and Lowe’s Home Improvement.
Local highways connect to I-81
Asphalt covers U.S. Route 48 and state highways, but side roads and driveways are often gravel. Route 48 leads to West Virginia and east to Interstate 81, which extends through western Virginia past cities such as Winchester, Harrisonburg and Roanoke.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rhonda Sager,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Star Tannery
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Star Tannery Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Star Tannery, Strasburg sell after 111 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Star Tannery, Strasburg over the last 12 months is $144,000, down 79% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
5.4 partially wooded acres with an as is double-wide (3 bed/2 bath mobile home) rancher (on foundation). Mountain views. Outside entrance to the basement. Located close to I-81, I-66, and route 55.Please make an appointment. Cash offers, please.
Are you ready to build your dream home?? This amazing lot has view potential and is ready for your imagination!! It has been perc'd for a three-bedroom alternative system, and the certification letter is on file with the VA Department of Health (see attached documents). The property is conveniently located just past Shawneeland and Wilde Acres - only 30 minutes from downtown Winchester. It also
READY TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME?? This gorgeous lot has view potential and is priced UNDER the tax assessment. It has been perc'd for a FOUR-bedroom alternative system, and the certification letter is on file with the VA Department of Health (see attached documents). The property is conveniently located just past Shawneeland and Wilde Acres - only 30 minutes from downtown Winchester. Don't wait!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rhonda Sager,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
929
Median Age
47
Population under 18
22.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$72,779
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$100,643
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
86.6%
College Graduates
26.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.6%
% Population in Labor Force
71.1%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
8''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 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.
