From rural Summit Township roots to a suburban boom outside Erie
Historic settlers hiked up a ridgeline several miles south of Lake Erie to reach Summit Township, ready to build rural sawmills and clear fruitful farmland in the countryside. Thanks to its proximity to the city of Erie, and the modern phenomena of through-traffic on Interstates 79 and 90, this once-sleepy stretch of creek-strewn forests and agricultural land has also developed new heights of suburban convenience. “In Summit Township, you’re centrally located to everything in Erie, minutes from Millcreek Mall and Peach Street shopping, and there are all types of recreational things, the biggest being Presque Isle Downs and Casino,” says Jake Scheloske, vice president of sales at Agresti Real Estate, who’s served the Erie County market for 14 years. “You can find these new construction subdivisions, or you can go toward Waterford and still be in a rural area where you can have your own land.”
Peach Street going through the heart of Summit offers a plethora of retail option minutes away for most residents.
Summit was developed around rural sawmills and farmland a few miles south of Lake Erie.
1/2
A market that ranges from manufactured homes to large new construction
A truly diverse housing stock rolls along the wooded hills of Summit Township, lining quiet back roads and set in denser developments designed for convenience to nearby highways or seclusion in the countryside. Cape Cods, ranch-style and split-level homes built from the 1940s through 1970s are common, but buyers can also find farmhouses built earlier in the 20th century. Prices for these older homes range from around $150,000 to $520,000, depending on condition and whether they’re set on half-acre or multi-acre properties. Manufactured homes, many of them in the 55-plus community of Summit Heights, can go for about $10,000 to $140,000. Patio home condos were built in low-maintenance subdivisions like The Meadows from the 2000s through the 2020s, where prices range from around $290,000 to $470,000. Other New Traditional homes built from the 1990s through 2020s can sell for about $340,000 to $690,000, depending on age, size and whether they’re set in a suburban cul-de-sac or on a small, secluded acreage.
Ranch style homes in Summit offer comfortable living on one level.
The Summit market offers manufactured homes within the wide range of homes available.
1/2
Private recreation centers and scenic public parks
Tourists enter Summit Township from I-90, heading to Splash Lagoon and other recreation destinations. Beyond its slot machines and horse racing, Presque Isle Downs and Casino offers Summit Township some cost-of-living benefits. “There’s a countywide homestead exclusion program that people can apply for, but Summit itself enjoys very friendly tax funding and savings directly correlated with the casino revenue,” Scheloske says. Athletic leagues and hobbyists play on LECOM Sports Park’s indoor hockey rinks and Erie Sports Center’s indoor and outdoor multi-purpose fields. Orchard Ponds Golf Club's has a nine-hole course and is open to the public. Picnic pavilions help explain Picnicana Park’s name, but locals also head to the township park to hike trails through the woods, wade in LeBoeuf Creek and hit the playground. Youth leagues play baseball and soccer at the smaller Summit Community Park. The first of Presque Isle State Park’s 11 Lake Erie beaches is about 20 minutes from home.
Picnicana Park in Summit has sports courts, a playground and picnic shelters.
Lecom Sports Park ofers indoor hockey rinks.
1/2
Shopping and dining on Peach Street and Perry Highway
A busy strip mall shopping district lines Peach Street around its junction with I-90. Walmart, Target and Sam’s Club are just a few of Summit Township's big-box stores. Dozens of chain restaurants pop up between specialty businesses, including fast food drive-throughs and sit-down spots like Texas Roadhouse and Quaker Steak & Lube. The Millcreek Mall Complex is only a couple of miles up the road. A smaller commercial area coats Perry Highway, also near I-90. There, fans of topping-packed and quirkily named hot dogs browse the menu at Lucky Louie’s Beer and Wieners.
Federal Hill Smokehouse near Summit was founded in 2016 and has some of the best barbecue in the area.
The Target in Summit is located behind the Best Buy on Peach Street.
1/2
Attending the Fort LeBoeuf School District
Summit Township is served by the Fort LeBoeuf School District, which gets an A-minus from Niche. Robison Elementary School is in the township and earns an A. Fort LeBoeuf Middle School scores an A-minus. Fort LeBoeuf High School gets a B-minus and was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2021.
Fort Leboeuf Middle School near Summit has 478 students.
Fort Leboeuf Senior High School near Summit has 679 students.
1/2
Warm weather community events at Summit Township parks
Picnicana Park and Summit Community Park hold outdoor events through the summer months. Resident’s Day, sometimes coinciding with National Night Out, brings neighbors together to enjoy bouncy castles, lawn games and cookout food. The Senior Citizens’ Picnic has been going on for over 25 years, centered around live music, bingo, health screenings and ice cream. Residents might attend religious services at small houses of worship like Summit United Methodist Church or the much larger Erie First Assembly.
Commuting to Erie, traveling farther on I-79 and I-90
Erie and county seat hubs like UPMC Hamot and Saint Vincent Hospital are within about 10 miles of Summit Township. The community is largely car-dependent except for a handful of Erie Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus stops along South Hill Road and U.S. Route 19. Interstates 79 and 90 intersect to the township’s west, opening access to southwestern Pennsylvania or Ohio and New York, respectively. Erie International Airport is a little more than 10 miles from home.
Truck traffic and cheeky cheer at the Lake View Landfill
Residents living near the Lake View Landfill can expect truck traffic on surrounding roads. As a cheeky nod to being one of the highest points in Erie County, the landfill’s capped mound is topped with a shining Christmas star each December; it’s visible from I-90 and Lake Erie.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
Photography Contributed By
Stefan Ludwig
Video By
Tyler Belile
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer L. Ferrick,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
This beautiful condo offers a spacious, open layout that just feels easy to live in. The kitchen comes fully applianced and has a nice separate seating area—great for everyday meals or a quick coffee in the morning. The living room is warm, open, and inviting, with a gas fireplace that makes it the perfect spot to relax. You’ll also love the convenience of first-floor laundry, with direct access
Many uses permitted for this Zoned RMD (Residential - Medium Density) lot in Summit Township, including - single, 2 family, short term rental & more! Plus others on special exception. See attached zoning ordinance.
Charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath doublewide home in Summit Heights offers bright, open living with abundant natural light. The primary suite includes a garden tub, separate shower, and a generous walk-in closet. Recent updates include a new roof, furnace/AC, flooring, landscaping and storage shed. All appliances are included.
Welcome to 1544 Pinegrove Drive in Summit Heights, a well-maintained 55+ community in Erie, PA. This 2005-built, 2-bedroom mobile home has been meticulously cared for and offers a clean, move-in-ready interior that feels like new. The home includes all appliances, featuring a brand-new washer and dryer, making for an easy transition for its next owner. A convenient front entry ramp adds
This impressive 11,700 sq ft Morton building offers a rare opportunity for agricultural, storage, hobby, or future residential use. Situated on 10.91 acres with 1500 feet of road frontage, this well-built structure is divided into multiple functional areas. The building includes six 12’ x 12’ insulated commercial garage doors with openers and two 9’ x 9’ insulated garage doors, providing
6.5± Acre development site for sale on upper Peach Street. Located just 1⁄2 mile from I-90 at exit 24 (Route 19/Waterford Peach Street). Along greater Erie PA’s major retail & service corridor. Site is contiguous with Gulf Gas Station, Bro Man’s Sammiches & 8270 Peach Street Plaza featuring Luminary Distillery, Cheryl Mitchell Insurance Agency, Moose Head Pottery & Fyzical Therapy & Balance
Sherry BauerSBRE - Sherry Bauer Real Estate Services
WELCOME TO THIS BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED 3 BEDROOM, 2 BATH CONDO IN SUMMIT TOWNSHIP! WITH TONS OF UPDATES THROUGOUT, THIS HOME COMBINES STYLE, COMFORT, AND CONVENIENCE. THE OPEN AND INVITING LAYOUT IS PERFECT FOR EVERYDAY LIVING OR ENTERTAINING. ENJOY THE EASE OF CONDO LIVING WHILE BEING CLOSE TO LOCAL AMENITIES, RESTAURANTS, AND SHOPPING. A MUST SEE!
Welcome to desirable Summit Heights! This renovated double-wide offers incredible value. Featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, this home provides dual primary bedroom options and is handicap accessible. Enjoy total peace of mind with a new metal roof, new furnace, new central air, new hot water heater, all new flooring, fresh paint and so much more. All appliances are included! This home is truly in
A piece of history right here in Erie County. This property was built circa 1750, (Erie County indicates 1850), and used to be a type of hotel/boarding house and a church over the years before it became a family home on the road between Waterford and Erie. Local lore has mentioned that George Washington may have visited! This home sits on 4.7 acres with lots of trees and plantings, and is really
±13.34 Acre industrial development site made up of (2) parcels located on Oliver Road near the J. Robert Baldwin Business Park. Level site with 786' frontage on Oliver Road, conveniently located 1.2 miles from I-90 at exit 24 and 3.8 miles from I-79. Please see attachments for additional information. Parcels offered individually, MLS reference numbers: 188089, 188090
±8.14 Acre industrial development site located on Oliver Road near the J. Robert Baldwin Business Park. Level site with 570' frontage on Oliver Road, conveniently located 1.2 miles from I-90 at exit 24 and 3.8 miles from I-79. Please see attachments for additional information. Adjacent parcel offered together, combining for 13.34 Acres, MLS reference number: 188089.
±5.2 Acre industrial development site located on Oliver Road near the J. Robert Baldwin Business Park. Level site with 216' frontage on Oliver Road, conveniently located 1.2 miles from I-90 at exit 24 and 3.8 miles from I-79. Please see attachments for additional information. Adjacent parcel offered together, combining for 13.34 Acres, MLS reference number: 188090.
A new private community nestled on 62 acres of beautifully landscaped countryside, on-site Super Star management team including expanded office, 24hour emergency service, professional interior maintenance and complete exterior care with no additional fees. Distinctive single level floor plan for easy accessibility and maximum privacy. Resident clubhouse for private entertaining, community social
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
