Sugarcreek is a rural borough between Venango County cities
Sugarcreek rises into the hills north of where the Allegheny River and French Creek meet. This sprawling Venango County borough fills the space between Oil City and Franklin with old-fashioned industry villages, expansive recreation areas and views of the scenic river valleys central to the historic and modern residents of western Pennsylvania’s Oil Region. “I like the rivers, the recreation and the people around here,” says William Moon Jr., broker owner at Gates & Burns Realty who was born and raised in Venango County. “Moving to places like Sugarcreek, you can get more land and reasonably priced housing. I’ve lived here my whole life, but I get calls from people in New York looking to downsize or just start something new in the woods.”
Single-family homes in hilly villages and on rural acreages
Old industrial villages rise into the hills along French Creek and the Allegheny River. In places like Rocky Grove and Reno, quiet blocks of simple National, bungalow and Minimal Traditional homes overlook tree-covered valleys. Houses on less than an acre can sell for about $20,000 to $280,000, depending on their condition. Farther from the water, country roads weave between woods and wide-open farmland. Homes of many kinds hide away on small acreages in these more rural areas, including century-old farmhouses and simple ranch-style and manufactured homes. Prices for these properties typically range from around $130,000 to $320,000. New Traditional homes built in the past couple of decades and houses hidden away on upward of 10 acres are less common, and can go for about $400,000 to $700,000.
Fishing, swimming, golfing and biking around Sugarcreek
Fishermen cast into Justus Lake from kayaks in the middle of Two Mile Run County Park, surrounded by forests filled with hiking trails and campgrounds. A few golf courses also roll with the area's hills. Wanango Country Club members can hit the 18-hole golf course or enjoy other amenities like the outdoor swimming pool and pickleball courts. The Miller-Sibley Pool offers another spot to swim in the middle of Rocky Grove, surrounded by baseball fields and sports courts. To access the Oil Region’s rail trail systems, residents head to access points along French Creek and the Allegheny River in Franklin or Oil City. “There are bike trails that go all the way from Erie to Pittsburgh,” Moon says. “You can cross all these bridges along the Allegheny River. When the water’s low, you can see old petroglyphs on the Indian God Rock.”
Traveling to Venango County and western PA cities
U.S. Routes 62 and 322 connect Sugarcreek to the cities of Franklin and Oil City, just south and east of the borough respectively. UPMC Northwest, a major local hospital and employer, is nearly 15 miles away. While most residents drive to get around, CATA buses also run limited routes to Venango County hubs. Erie International Airport is about 60 miles away, and Pittsburgh is around an hour and a half from home.
Shopping and dining on Route 62
Route 62 meanders along the Allegheny River, lined by many of Sugarcreek’s businesses. Kings Family Restaurant is a regional chain beloved for its no-frills diner ambiance and notoriously grumpy dessert, the Frownie Brownie. A&C Buffet, the local Chinese spot, is in the same strip mall as Dollar General. Giant Eagle and Rural King fill larger footprints. Locals might drive across the river to Franklin or farther upstream to Oil City for more walkable small business districts. Churches hold services throughout the borough, including Galloway Church of Franklin.
Attending Valley Grove School District
Sugarcreek is served by Valley Grove School District, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Valley Grove Elementary School covers pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and earns a B-minus. Rocky Grove Jr.-Sr. High School serves seventh through 12th grades and scores a C-plus. An early college program allows students to earn credit from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Events with the Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department
The Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department has held its Fireman’s Festival for more than 90 years. For five days each summer, locals support their first responders while enjoying fireworks displays, parades, live music and plenty of craft and food vendors. The Rocky Grove VFD also hosts holiday events like Easter egg hunts throughout the year.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
