Tower City is a rural community with a coal mining legacy
Tower City is a small borough in Schuylkill County with about 1,300 residents. Shaped by the coal industry, the town was founded because of some nearby mines. While that trade is no longer present, many residents are descendants of miners, and their legacy remains in local heritage. “Generations of families stay in the area,” says Realtor Jill Saunders with Saunders Realty, who was born and raised in the Pottsville area. “Their great-grandparents came to work in the mines, and their descendants are still here.”
The Appalachian Mountains frame Tower City in lush green in the spring and summer, and bright red and orange in the fall. Winter brings heavy snow and iced-over roads. “Tower City is rural,” Saunders says. “It’s a city, but it’s still far away from everything, like Pottsville.” The community features a small downtown area and is surrounded by parks, forests and game land, making it a great location for those who want access to the outdoors and seclusion.
Tower City Park and nearby outdoor escapes
In town, Tower City Park features a playground, basketball courts, a ball field and the Tower City Pool. Designated state game lands, state parks and forests also surround the community. About 4 miles away, the nearly 30,000-acre Weiser State Forest offers nearly 33 miles of trails, including 4 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The forest also has boating, fishing and hang gliding opportunities. About 9 miles south of Tower City, Swatara State Park spans over 3,500 acres of rolling fields and forests. Among other outdoor recreational activities, it features trails of varying difficulty and fishing opportunities, including Trout Run, a trout-stocked stream.
Tower City’s dining scene includes pubs, pizza and delis
Shopping and dining options are limited in Tower City. Residents can dine at local spots like O’Neals 4th Street Pub, which has a laid-back vibe and serves everything from wings and quesadillas to seafood and steak. At nearby DW’s Deli and Hoagies, folks walk up to the counter and order pizza and subs, while at Nino’s Italian Family Restaurant, they can eat those dishes from the cozy dining room or outdoor patio. Williams Valley Farm sells homegrown produce, plants, meat and dairy products from their farm market. There’s a Dollar General about 3 miles west in Williamstown and a Boyer’s Food Market grocery store about 8 miles west in Lykens.
Homes at lower prices than nearby areas
Homes sit on small lots, close to their neighbors. Many properties don’t have driveways, so cars are parked along the curb, next to sidewalks if they’re near the town center. A lot of houses feature front porches and small yards. For under $100,000, buyers can find a home needing significant repairs. Colonial Revivals, American Foursquares and ranch-style homes can range in price from $150,000 to $310,000, depending on their size, age and condition. While investors have bought up a lot of homes in Schuylkill County in recent years, Saunders says they haven’t gotten to Tower City quite yet. “Property values and home prices are still a lot less than surrounding areas,” she says. “Give it a few years and they’ll get here.”
Zoned for Williams Valley School District
Students attend the Williams Valley School District, which earns a C-minus from Niche. Williams Valley Elementary gets a C-minus, and Williams Valley Junior/Senior High gets a C. High school students can attend construction and mechanical courses at Schuylkill Technology Center.
Interstate 81 and Route 290 offer regional connectivity
Tower City is rural and car-dependent. U.S. Route 290 runs east-west through the community and leads to other small towns in the area. It’s about a 6-mile drive east to U.S. Interstate 81, which runs throughout Appalachia. It’s about 21 miles to Pottsville, 37 miles to Harrisburg and 120 miles to Philadelphia. Harrisburg International Airport is about 48 miles away.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
