Farming community with frequent events to connect residents
Summerhill Township, 17 miles from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is made up of rolling green hills and farmland. Those looking to escape city living appreciate this quiet area that's near over 12,000 acres of state game lands, a wind farm and the Beaverdam Run Reservoir. Some notable farms are also in the area, including McCormick Family Farm LLC, where chickens socialize in a grassy pen, and cows graze lazily in front of a maple tree backdrop. The farm also harvests fruits, vegetables, honey and syrup. Golden Farms grows wildflowers in the spring and summer and harvests pumpkins in the fall. Despite the township’s rural appearance, events are frequent in the area. Farmers sell goods at farmers markets, the library displays township memorabilia and the volunteer fire department hosts events throughout the year.
Holiday events at the Summerhill Township Volunteer Fire Company
The Summerhill Township Volunteer Fire Company hosts events in its social hall. The spring and fall gun raffle and holiday events are their most popular. “We have breakfast with the Easter bunny and breakfast with Santa Claus,” says George Fedore, the assistant chief and financial secretary at the Summerhill Township Volunteer Fire Company. “The events fundraise to keep the fire department operational.” Beaverdale, one of the area's main communities, includes the Beaverdale Public Library hosts basket parties, where patrons bring decorated baskets filled with goodies. Participants place their names in a raffle and may win a basket to take home. The library also has children's story hour, crafting classes and displays town memorabilia. Local farmers may be seen at the Ebensburg Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. from July to the third Saturday of September. Religious services are held at Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Hunting and enjoying nature in state game lands
A portion of the township is taken up by State Game Lands 026, where locals may hunt, trap, bird watch and enjoy nature. Nearby is the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, which commemorates the failure of the South Fork Dam in 1889. The memorial offers Path of the Flood Hikes, which takes hikers on a 14-mile trek through the flood-affected areas to show that local communities and municipalities have grown and flourished since the great flood. Flooding is not common due to the hilly topography of the area.
Single-family homes starting at $40,000 in Beaverdale
Beaverdale's homes are clustered in a grid, while those outside the area are spread out along winding roadways traversing the township. Some sidewalks and gravel paths exist within Beaverdale, and houses are close to the road with fencing that’s either picketed or made of brick and stone. Bungalows and Colonial Revival Foursquares are common styles in the area. Housing within Beaverdale ranges from $40,000 to $75,000, while homes outside of Beaverdale range from $100,000 to $200,000.
Commuters use state routes 53 and 869
The region is car-dependent, with no public transportation and little sidewalks. Several state routes cut through the area, including state Routes 53 and 869. The John Murtha Johnstown Cambria County Airport is 12 miles away.
Fine Arts department at Forest Hills schools
The Forest Hills School District, which receives a C-plus from Niche, serves the area. Children may attend Forest Hills Elementary School, which receives a B-minus, for prekindergarten through sixth grade and Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School, which receives a C, for seventh through 12th grade. The Forest Hills School District has an extensive fine arts department that offers courses in photography, ceramics, painting, drama and music at the elementary and junior/senior levels.
Shopping and dining in nearby towns
While there are a few restaurants and convenience stores in Summerhill and nearby areas, locals head to Richland, King of Prussia or Ebensburg for large grocery and shopping trips. King of Prussia Town Center is a large indoor mall near Wegmans and a Costco. Red’s Bar-B-Que on Portage Street in Summerhill, is a local dive bar known for its wings served in a dimly lit setting with a pool table and neon signs. Fox’s Pizza Den in Wilmore Borough, a small municipality within the township, serves pizzas and sandwiches. For quick grocery trips and snacks, residents visit Beaverdale Convenience Store.
