Built on slate mining, Banger honors history and community
Found 27 miles northeast of Allentown, a bird’s eye view of Bangor will reveal several quarries, and these sparkling bodies of water reveal the borough’s history in plain sight. Settled in 1760, Bangor is part of Pennsylvania’s Slate Belt, and the Welsh immigrants of the area found it to be extremely valuable for slate mining. The quarries of present day are old mining sites that have gradually filled with groundwater over time, and Bangor still honors its heritage in every way it can. “The Heritage Center walks you through all the Bangor history, and that history is a huge point of pride for the community,” says Nancy Kessler, a local Realtor with Realty Executives who’s been working in the business since 1989. “It’s about community. All the beautiful murals you see downtown were artists getting outside and uplifting our area during COVID. This is a place of longevity.”
Washington sits in the mountains surrounded by beautiful trees.
Beautiful murals are painted all around Washington.
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From historic slate homes to modern subdivisions
The center of the borough has painted and brick Colonial houses and Queen Anne-styled properties, sitting closely together along the calm downtown streets. On the outskirts, contemporary housing has cropped up in modern subdivisions, sporting large yards and breathing room for more residential privacy. “A lot of the appeal for homes is that they cost less than surrounding areas. One exciting thing is the revitalization – older buildings are being converted into apartments and condos,” Kessler says. “But there’s still so much history. You can still see slate roofs and slate in the interior of the older homes, some in the sidewalks.” The median selling price for single-family homes in Bangor is $280,000. Older three-bedroom homes typically start around $250,000, while four and five-bedroom modern housing can spike to $400,000 and upward.
Historic stone Colonials are the heart of Washington.
Contemporary homes make living in Washington luxurious.
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Finding the local personality along Broadway
Bangor is based in locally owned business, save for a couple of well-known names, such as CVS and USPS. “There aren’t big stores, like Walmart and Target, but if people want to find them, they’re only about 15 minutes away in Stroudsburg,” Kessler notes. Locals stop into the Bangor General Store for groceries and visit the clothing boutiques and pubs along downtown Broadway. The borough has its own selection of dining, from the casual stop for rich ice cream at The Local Scoop to the burgers and drinks at Broadway Pub.
The local Bangor General Store in Washington serves it's residents with essentials.
Grab a beer at Murrays Brewing company in Washington.
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Getting schooled with the BASD
Public institutions are served by the Bangor Area School District, and it has three elementary schools that split up grade levels: Five Points for kindergarten through second grand, Washington for third and fourth, and Domenick DeFranco for five and six. All of them receive overall B ratings from Niche and keep a low student-teacher ratio, averaging at 12-1. Students move on to Bangor Area Middle, which receives a B-minus from Niche and offers academic clubs that help prepare children for more advanced challenges in high school. The final step of primary education is taken at Bangor Area High, graded with another B-minus on Niche. Bangor High is well-known in the area for its band, which represents Bangor’s primary Welsh heritage through uniforms modeled after the Welsh Guard and has traveled to several different states to play for competitions.
Students of the Washington will attend Bangor Area High School.
Bangor Area Middle School provides a wealth of learning opportunities for students in Washington.
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Trains in the Memorial Park and fishing at Greenwalk
Bangor Memorial Park is well-attended by locals, who walk the track in the mornings, take kids to the new playground and make good use of basketball courts and athletic fields. Youth activities for the community typically use the Memorial Park, as it has a full-sized football field and baseball diamonds. “The local Bangor Elks organization has this old train they run through the park a couple of times a year, and the kids love it,” Kessler says. “Greenwalk Creek is stocked with trout every year, and that’s huge for fishing. And Minsi Lake – there’s gorgeous wildlife up there and walking trails, plus people just love to sit and enjoy the view.”
The historic train tracks run though Washington.
Gorgeous bodies of water carve out the mountain side in Washington.
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Busy days in downtown Bangor
Every Thursday in the summer, Bangor hosts Quarry Brews & Bites, the most attended event for the borough. Food trucks come to vend alongside nearby breweries and wineries, and residents can sit around fire pits while listening to live music. The Bangor Farmers’ Market is also a preserving weekly factor for the community, committed to staying open year-round to provide local produce, meats, cheeses and artisan crafts. Though the borough is small, it makes an effort to always have something happening, whether it be the annual holiday craft show or Halloween parade.
How to navigate to and from Bangor using state routes
Pennsylvania Route runs north-south through Bangor towards Bethlehem and Allentown, while Pennsylvania Route 512 runs east-west through neighboring townships. Banger has stops for the 217 bus line to and from Bethlehem, operated by the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority.
Photography Contributed By
Alec Oswald
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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Agents Specializing in this Area
James (Jim) Galligan
Keller Williams Real Estate - Stroudsburg 803 Main
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MOTIVATED SELLER! Welcome to this beautifully maintained ranch home located at 504 Washington Boulevard in desirable Washington Twp. Situated on a 0.34-acre lot, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers 1,557 square feet of comfortable main-level living, plus a partially finished basement, bringing the total square footage to 2,007.The main level features a functional and inviting layout with
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Available for the first time, this 4 bedroom 2 full bathroom split level is ready for you to call it home, in one of the best locations of the Slate Belt. The spacious layout has multiple options for home office or bedroom as well as a first-floor family room with fireplace. A huge living room for large gatherings flowing into the adjacent dining room and eat-in kitchen with all new appliances.
TO BE BUILT (Photos are of a previous build)! Completion Spring 2026! Pick your colors and customize this home the way you want it! Ask about our $5,000 Builder Lender Credit! Buy down your rate, reduction in price or closing cost credit! Situated on an Acre & a Half of land within Country Mews Estates, Bangor School District! This colonial floor plan boasts 4 bedrooms, 2 & half baths! Custom
Jennifer SchimmelKeller Williams Real Estate - Northampton Co
Build your dream house on this 1-acre lot in nice location. Mobile on the property is not habitable and needs to be removed. Existing septic designed for (2) bedroom home. Flat location, and driveway access. Hard to find (1) acre lot ready to go for a new build. No deed restrictions, no HOA! Easy commute to Rt 80 and located in beautiful country location!
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Build-ready 1.5-acre wooded lot in Bangor Borough with public water and sewer available. Sewer lateral moratorium has been lifted, and sewer capacity reservation fee has been paid, streamlining the path to construction. Enjoy a peaceful setting just minutes from Bangor Memorial Park and local conveniences. Ideal for builders, investors, or buyers looking to design and build their custom home on a
Welcome to 346 Messinger St, Bangor PA!This charming home offers comfort, potential, and a convenient location in the heart of Bangor. Featuring spacious living areas, natural light throughout, and a layout perfect for everyday living or investment opportunity. features 3 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, a comfortable living room, and a separate dining room—perfect for everyday living and
This distinguished all-brick estate residence offers over 3,600 square feet of finished living space set on 1.96 beautiful acres. The house just underwent a complete and thoughtful restoration that highlights this home's undeniable charm. This house is ideal for entertainment, nature lovers, and hobbyists alike - with too many features to list, including:1) Inground pool with new liner, pump
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