Washington Township wants to keep its quiet, rural feel
The mural at the heart of Washington Township perfectly captures what residents and visitors can expect to encounter here. The mural is a historic scene with a barn and farms, but Washington Township hasn’t changed much since then. Patchworks of corn fields and grassy expanses spread out across the terrain, where there’s plenty of space between homes. The township includes Kralltown, a small borough where the mural and the township government office are located. “We have no restaurants, no gas stations and no stores,” says Diane Deardorff, the secretary and treasurer for Washington Township. “We don’t have a township park, and we don’t have a fire department. We’re covered by our surrounding neighbors.” Washington Township’s location outside of York and Harrisburg means big-city amenities like grocery stores, healthcare and travel hubs are just down the road, but still far enough away to maintain the quiet atmosphere residents enjoy.
Farmhouses and crop fields across Washington Township's landscape
Narrow country roads run through the hilly countryside in Washington Township. Farmhouses, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes are close to the road, spaced out between corn fields. Homes typically range from $200,000 to $550,000 and include 1 to 16 acres, with higher acreages pricing higher. “We have very little land that can be subdivided anymore because we have strict zoning,” Deardorff says. “And because we don’t want to develop a lot more.”
Nearby cities and towns with amenities for township residents
The area’s agricultural culture means residents might get stuck behind the occasional tractor on Washington Township’s winding two-lane country roads. New York Route 194 is the township’s largest thoroughfare, which links it with East Berlin and Dillsburg, where there are local grocery stores and restaurants. York is about 17 miles away, with UPMC Memorial along the way, about 14 miles away. The state’s capital, Harrisburg, is about 22 miles away. Harrisburg International Airport is 30 miles from Washington Township.
Students attend Northern York County School District
In 2021, Northern York County School District incorporated Washington Township into its school system. The district receives a B-minus, and students can attend one of its four elementary schools. Northern Middle School receives a B-minus, while Northern High School receives a B. High school seniors can enroll in the school’s career internship program to get work experience while earning their diploma.
Dining out at nearby East Berlin's local restaurants
Without restaurants or a dining scene of its own, Washington Township residents head to nearby communities when they want to dine out. East Berlin has a few options, like Dylans, a casual American pub that serves burgers, sandwiches and seafood. Sidney Tavern has a more fine dining atmosphere and a menu with entrées like pasta, seafood and short ribs. East Berlin also has a Weis Market, about 8 miles from Washington Township. Deardorff says residents will head to Dillsburg and Dover as well for restaurants. Dillsburg’s Giant is about 10 miles away.
Campsites, horseback riding stables and nearby state parks
Conewago Creek makes up Washington Township’s southern border, lined with campsites, like Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm and Pine Hill Park. Summerset Stables has horseback riding programs and stables where locals can keep their horses. Diamond 7 Ranch and Arena focuses more on show horses and bigger performances. Next door, in Warrington Township, Gifford Pinchot State Park’s 18 miles of hiking trails surround the lake. East Berlin Community Park includes a basketball court, soccer field, walking path and skatepark.
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Written By
Caroline Ernst
