Swartzville is a newer community known for its vintage finds
Swartzville is a small unincorporated community in northeastern Lancaster County. Much of it is relatively new, featuring suburban developments that began springing up in the 1990s. The community sits between the boroughs of Denver and Adamstown, and homes have Denver addresses. “People don’t really call it Swartzville. They just consider it Denver,” says Wendy Stauffer, a Realtor with Kingsway Realty who has been selling homes in the region for more than 30 years. Swartzville also has close ties to Adamstown, known as Antiques Capital USA, where people from all over the world come to shop for vintage treasures.
More than a dozen antique stores attract people worldwide
Swartzville and Adamstown have more than a dozen antique stores lining Reading Road. Over 1,000 vendors sell vintage products in local antique markets, such as Renningers and Adams Antiques. There are also several standalone antique shops such as Time Matters Antiques and The Vintage Kitchen & Antiques. The area attracts an international audience during Antiques Extravaganza, a five-day event held every April, June and September. Known locally as Extrav, this antique shopping spectacle has shops staying open longer while offering discounts on vintage goods.
For everyday shopping needs, Weaver Markets offers groceries. National retailers like Walmart, Big Lots and Aldi are about 7 miles away in Ephrata. The community also has a few locally owned restaurants, including Park Place Diner, known for its casual homestyle meals. “Park Place is a really popular diner. They’re known for their homemade desserts,” Stauffer says. Locals can also dine out at Zia Maria Italian Eatery & Pub, which serves Italian-American food inside and on the outdoor patio.
Townhouses and single-family homes from the 1990s and early 2000s
Among its winding residential streets and gentle hills, Swartzville has a mix of single-family and townhouse developments built between the 1990s and early 2000s. Some developments have sidewalks, but low traffic allows for neighborhood strolls even on the street. Many townhouses have garages and three-bedroom living spaces, with prices ranging from $300,000 to $330,000. Ranch-style and split-level homes sell for around $280,000 to $360,000. Larger Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals range from $360,000 to $515,000.
Award-winning ASL program at Cocalico High School
Most students are zoned to Adamstown Elementary School, which receives a B grade from Niche. A small portion south of Scenic Drive is served by Reamstown Elementary, graded a B-plus. All students go on to Cocalico Middle School and Cocalico High School, each of which receives a B-plus. The high school football team won a district championship in 2022 and 2023. The Cocalico School District earned national recognition in 2025 for its high school student-led American Sign Language program, one of seven in the country to receive the District of Distinction Award from the District Administration Leadership Institute.
Parks in housing developments and nearby Adamstown Park
Some subdivisions have their own parks within walking distance of most homes. Old Homestead Park in the Old Homestead development features two playgrounds and two basketball courts with a wooded backdrop. Celebration Park is behind the backyards of homes in another development. It has a playground with a slide built onto a hill and an open grassy field with soccer nets. Nearby Adamstown Park is home to a community pool, plus basketball and tennis courts.
Central to major cities around eastern Pennsylvania
Locals have easy access to U.S. 222 and Interstate 76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike). It takes about 30 minutes to drive 20 miles to downtown Lancaster. Swartzville is also nearly equidistant to Philadelphia, Allentown and Harrisburg, each 50 to 60 miles away. All three cities have international airports.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
