Towanda is a historic river town nestled in the Endless Mountains
Towanda is a town situated along the banks of the Susquehanna River, surrounded by forested mountains and rolling hills in northeastern Pennsylvania. The town’s Main Street, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is lined with old brick buildings, and homes are nestled in the hills, offering views of the surrounding scenery. “Towanda has a small-town feel. It’s very community driven,” says Realtor Shannon Clark of Century 21, who grew up in Towanda and still lives and works there. “It’s a great place to raise a family.”
Towanda is the county seat of Bradford County, which sits along Pennsylvania’s northeastern border in the Endless Mountain Range. Founded in 1812, its name is taken from a Native American word meaning, “where we bury the dead.”
Eclectic homes with scenic views and walkable streets
Homes in Towanda are situated on a traditional street grid that extends out from the riverside along narrow, hilly lanes. Residents live on large lots, many of which offer pristine sightlines of mountain and riverine scenery. The town’s housing options are eclectic, with everything from regal Victorians built in the 1800s to Cape Cods, traditional and ranch-style homes. “Most of the homes were built in the 1800s and early 1900s. There’s not a whole lot of new construction,” Clark says. Residential areas are safe for walking, and it's an easy trek to the downtown district, local parks and the river. Prices range from around $100,000 to $270,000, although some fixer-uppers have sold for much less.
Towanda’s downtown blends 19th-century charm with daily essentials
Towanda’s downtown district features a wealth of Victorian, Greek Revival and Italianate architecture dating back to its time as a lumber boomtown. Designated a historic district in 1992, there are hundreds of well-preserved buildings lining the streets. Among the most notable is the Bradford County Courthouse, a Neoclassical-style stone structure featuring a domed roof that dates to 1848. The downtown district features boutique shops, local restaurants and small businesses. The New Red Rose Diner is a hole-in-the-wall eatery known for their breakfast sandwiches and omelets, while Vincent’s Pizza is a long-running favorite for takeout. The Keystone Theatre, built in 1887, continues to show films and present community theater productions. For groceries and everyday goods, there’s a TOPS Friendly Markets and an Aldi grocery store just outside town.
Local parks offer swimming, sports and scenic views
The town offers several parks in town, and there’s plenty of recreation nearby. “We’re very outdoorsy. Our tourism is hunting, hiking and the river,” Clark says. The River Valley Regional YMCA features an outdoor swimming pool, a ball field, and an indoor gym. Eastside Riverfront Park, situated just across the river, offers waterfront views and a spacious, grassy picnic area. Merrill Parkway is a well-maintained trail that follows the banks of the Susquehanna River, providing residents with a scenic spot for walking, jogging, and biking. “The riverwalk is great,” Clark says. “Every time people come to visit, they say, ‘I can’t believe how many people are out walking.’” Towanda is also within driving distance of New York’s Finger Lakes National Forest, a popular northeast vacation spot.
Walkable access to three public schools with average ratings
Students can attend school close to home, starting with Morrow Primary School, which serves kindergarten through 2nd grade and earns a B-minus grade from Niche. For grades 3 through 6, students attend C-rated Towanda Area Elementary School. The final step is Towanda Area Junior/Senior High School, rated C-minus. All three schools are within walking or biking distance for many students and families. The high school graduation rate was 90% in 2023, putting it slightly higher than the statewide average. Approximately 65% of graduates proceeded to a two- or four-year college.
Bus routes and highways connect Towanda to nearby towns
Towanda is bordered by U.S. Route 220, which offers a direct connection to Sayre, about 18 miles north. Scranton is 63 miles away, and New York City is about 180 miles away. Towanda is served by several bus stops, which offer routes to Sayre and the surrounding townships. Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital is the nearest medical center, about 17 miles away. Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is about 66 miles away.
