A historic, scenic valley surrounds Upper Mahantongo
Framed by mountains along the Mahantongo Valley, Upper Mahantongo is a rural township on the western edge of Schuylkill County. The region's wild, bucolic beauty inspired a distinctive style of painted Pennsylvania Dutch folk furniture during the same era that fertile soil in the foothills was spawning long chains of mountainous mill towns and farming villages. Centuries later, life still moves with the flow of the Mahantango Creek and the hum of tractors plowing fields in Upper Mahantongo, offering a country lifestyle about an hour away from Harrisburg. “Out near Klingerstown, it’s all agriculture and rolling hills,” says Nada Laguna, a Realtor with EveryHome Realtors who has served the Schuylkill County market for over 13 years. “I took a ride out there, and all I could think was, ‘Holy cow, it’s gorgeous!’ It’s that beauty and serenity that’s drawing people to Upper Mahantongo.”
Low inventory in the hills around Klingerstown
In Klingerstown and other historic crossroads villages, prewar National-style homes and midcentury Cape Cods stand close together in small-town centers. Outside these denser settlements, property sizes increase into small acreages, and housing styles range from classic ranch-style and manufactured homes to historic farmhouses and New Traditional construction. Homes rarely come on the market in Upper Mahantongo, especially those on acreages far from villages like Klingerstown. Prices for houses on suburban-sized lots range from around $150,000 to $230,000. All around the township, country roads slope past farms and woods, surrounded by the scenic ridges of the Mahantongo Valley.
Businesses in historic Upper Mahantongo villages
Ridge Road winds through Upper Mahantongo’s historical settlements, where commercial life has ebbed and flowed with changes in local industry. The Klingerstown Hotel is now the Klingerstown Country Inn, a favorite for pub-style fare and headlining performances by local musicians. The steeple of Salem United Church of Christ is the only thing that breaks up the farmland in the former mill village of Rough and Ready. Benigna’s Creek Vineyard & Winery is farther from any crossroads, and is a scenic place to sip some wine, listen to live music or watch Christmas lights flash on trellises during the wintertime Lighting of the Vineyard. Outside of stopping at local farm markets, residents will drive about 25 minutes to U.S. Route 209 so shop at places like Walmart, Tractor Supply and Boyer’s Food Market.
Attending Tri-Valley School District
Mahantongo Valley Elementary School serves kindergarten through sixth grade and earns a C from Niche. Students finish at Tri-Valley Junior-Senior High School, which scores a C. Tri-Valley School District partners with Schuylkill Technology Center, offering students a chance to get vocational education in careers like health science and manufacturing.
Hunting and fishing in and around Upper Mahantongo
Those with large acreages enjoy the outdoors on their own properties. Mahantango Creek, spelled differently than the township’s name, offers opportunities for freshwater fishing along its meandering path. The Erdman Sportsmen's Association gives visitors a place to practice trap shooting and archery about a mile from Klingerstown village. Within 10 miles of Upper Mahantongo, residents can find State Game Lands 132. There, hunters seek out deer, turkey and small game across more than 1,000 forested acres of Mahantango Mountain.
Commuting around Schuylkill, Northumberland and Dauphin Counties
Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital is about 15 miles from Upper Mahantongo. The Schuylkill County seat of Pottsville is closer to 30 miles away. The nearest big city is Harrisburg, about 45 miles away in Dauphin County. “It’s a pretty easy shot to Harrisburg from there,” Laguna says. “Depending on the person, they don’t mind that long commute. As long as they get a piece of land with a nice house and room for kids to play, that’s what they care about.” Harrisburg International Airport is about 55 miles from home.
The Klingerstown Fire Company Food Festival
The Klingerstown Fire Company is a volunteer-run operation that serves Upper Mahantongo and its neighboring rural townships. To fundraise for their life-saving efforts, locals come out to the Klingerstown Fire Company Food Festival each summer. The three-day festival kicks off with a parade through the village. The Nite of Stars brings a line-up of local musicians to the tents at the Klingerstown Carnival Grounds. Firefighters grill up chicken and advertise auction tickets for all three nights.
Flood risk on Mahantango and Pine Creeks
Roads and homes near Mahantango and Pine Creeks may flood after unusually heavy rain. Buyers can check maps to understand their potential risk and need for flood insurance.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
