Nine villages running along the Lehigh River and Blue Mountain
The northernmost part of Lehigh County, Washington Township, is an Allentown suburb just east of the Lehigh River and south of the Blue Mountain. The township is around 24 square miles, has about 7,000 residents, and comprises nine villages – Best Station, Emerald, Friends, Lehigh Furnace, Lehigh Gap, Neff, Newhard, and Slatesdale. It is home to the Vigilant Fire Company Firemen’s Monument, erected in 1909 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
“It’s a beautiful area in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania before you reach Blue Mountain, says Randy Beitler, an associate broker with the Fredrick Group of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, who spent 30 years as a land surveyor before working in real estate for the last 15 years. “There is not as much going on in Washington Township in terms of development, but that doesn’t mean it is still not a good place to live, just a slower lifestyle.”
The 1909 fireman statue on Main Street honors Washington's firefighting history.
Washington has homes on large lots with mountain views and fenced yards.
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Rural living in the shadow of Blue Mountain
Situated in the rolling hills just south of Blue Mountain, Washington’s home inventory is spread out between its nine villages, breaking up an otherwise rural area. Architectural styles include Colonial Revivals, split levels, and Cape Cods on sizable property lots. The additional yard space allows buyers to fence in their properties and have an unobstructed view of the mountains. Prices range from $180,000 to $1.6 million, but buyers can expect most houses fall in a range of $400,000 to $550,000. “It is a little bit of a price adjustment in this area, as things are cheaper than the rest of Lehigh County, but still everything is selling,” Beitler says.
Colonial Revivals on large lots are common in Washington.
Bi-Level homes are popular in Washington.
Cape Cod homes sit on large lots with attached garages in Washington.
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Practice for a healthcare career at Northern Lehigh High School
Children can attend the Northern Lehigh School District, which earns a C on Niche and serves a little over 1,500 students yearly. Students head to Peters Elementary, Northern Lehigh Middle and Northern Lehigh High School. The elementary school scores a B-minus, the middle school gets a C, and the high school earns a C-plus on Niche. Northern Lehigh High offers the Emerging Health Program, which allows seniors to experience various healthcare careers in a hospital setting and earn college credit through Penn State or Lehigh Carbon Community College. The district provides its elementary and middle school students with Chromebooks, while its high schoolers get personal laptops.
Peters Elementary School in Washington received a B- rating from Niche.
Niche gave Northern Lehigh Senior High School a C+ rating, serving nearby Washington students.
Northern Lehigh Middle School for Washington students in grades 7 & 8.
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Quick commute on the PA Turnpike or LANta shuttle service
For commuters trying to reach one of the nearby cities, the Northeast Corridor of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 476, runs north to south through the township. While there is no active bus route, the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANta) does offer a weekday shuttle service for parts of Washington Township. Residents must make reservations at least 24 hours before the trip and repeat trips can be set up as needed.
Shopping and restaurants in neighboring Walnutport
Residents must travel a little outside the Washington Township community to find retail and restaurants. Locals can pick up their groceries and home needs from the Giant on South Best Avenue in Walnutport. For more retail, Main Street in Slatington is on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to a library and the Vigilant Fire Company Firemen’s Monument. For a bite to eat, Chris & Eli Family Restaurant along Route 873 serves breakfast all day, or Mama’s Pizza on Main Street provides a place to pick up a slice after work.
Washington locals enjoy shopping at the historic shops on Slatington’s Main Street.
Mama’s Pizza is a Washington local favorite in nearby Slatington.
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Explore 7 miles of the Delaware & Lehigh Trail
Spanning nearly 20 acres, Eagles Nest Park on Eagle Road is the largest of five parks in Washington Township. A sports lover’s haven, the park features multiple baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and multi-use fields. Residents can also fish or walk around the lake at the park. Just north of the Emerald Fire Company on Penn Street, Emerald Park is another larger park with two combined baseball and soccer fields, a playground, and a community pavilion. Made from former canals, the Delaware & Lehigh Trail has two trailheads in the area, the Lehigh Gap and Cove Road. The Slatington-Cove Road trail runs 5.5 miles and through a steep hillside, providing views of the Leigh High River, while the Lehigh Gap corridor is just under two miles but intersects with the Appalachian Trail at the northern end.
Washington residents relax and read on benches along the D&L Trail.
Covered tables at Eagles Nest Park offer shaded picnic spots for residents in Washington.
Washington residents can stay active at the volleyball courts at Eagles Nest Park.
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Local farmers and crafters congregate at Slatington Marketplace
The Slatington Farmers Market is housed in a brand-new facility at the Slatington Marketplace Route 873, which formerly housed the Keystone Lamp Factory. The market features fresh farm products, homemade cuisine and handmade goods from local growers and artisans. On the same campus is the Slatington Expo Center, which hosts events from craft shows to comedy shows throughout the year.
Washington Township is built on slate quarrying
While the industry once was booming, slate quarrying remains the principal industry of the township. Slate can be found in vast quantities over the township and is used for roofing, school slates, and blackboard surfaces.
Photography Contributed By
Mitchell Birnbaum
Video By
Barry Ridgeway
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