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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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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.
Tucked away on a private, quiet road in Summit Township, this home is full of potential and ready to be brought back to life. The standout feature is the expansive oversized garage/workshop—formerly home to a tool and die business—offering incredible flexibility for hobbies, storage, large vehicles, and RV. It’s an open canvas for your creative vision—bring your ideas, your large tool belt, and
Welcome to this cute and cozy 3-bedroom, 2-full bath home located in the peaceful and convenient Summit Heights community in close proximity to the Millcreek Mall and Upper Peach Street. This inviting residence offers a functional layout, featuring a spacious eat-in kitchen for easy meal prep and casual dining that opens right into the family room. The primary bedroom includes its own private
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
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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
Experience carefree living in the highly desirable Summit Heights 55+ community! This 2017 double-wide sits on a spacious corner lot and is in absolute excellent condition. The standout feature is the brand-new, wrap-around composite deck, providing the perfect stage for outdoor entertaining. Inside, you'll find a spacious 1,352 sq. ft. layout featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. The sale
VERY NICE 2 BEDROOM, 2 FULL BATH MOBILE HOME IN SUMMIT HEIGHTS. PRIMARY BEDROOM SUITE WITH A WALK IN SHOWER. LARGE EAT-IN KITCHEN INCLUDES A GAS RANGE, DISHWASHER, AND REFRIGERATOR. COZY DINING AREA AND SPACIOUS LIVING ROOM FEATURE DESIRABLE VINYL PLANK FLOORING. ONE ADDITIONAL SPACIOUS BEDROOM AND FULL BATH. CONVENIENT FIRST FLOOR LAUNDRY! ENCLOSED, SCREENED IN BACK PORCH IS A PLUS. STORAGE SHED
±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
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