Washington Township has manufacturing jobs and a quiet setting
Washington Township is a little busier than the rest of Wyoming County for two reasons: The Vosburg Neck State Park and manufacturing jobs. That said, most residents live spread out among farmland and dense patches of trees, creating a laid-back, slow-moving atmosphere. Virginia Hawk owns the nearby Stony Mountain Family Campground, and she’s seen how more people are searching for the rural lifestyle Washington offers. “You see a lot of children who move out after graduating because of the job market, depending on what they want to do,” Hawk says. “Some are coming back, though. They want to get back to what they know. You also see people who want to live in a rural area, a slower-paced life.” Hawk used to work for Procter & Gamble, a major employer in the area, which has a plant in Washington Township. Washington Township can feel worlds away from city life, but residents can be in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre in about an hour.
Ranch-style homes and split-levels in subdivisions or among farmland
Ranch-style homes and split-levels are common, selling for $170,000 to $370,000. Subdivisions are rare in Washington, but the few that exist allow people to live closer together. Locals might walk across their yards or down the sidewalk-free street to chat with their neighbors. Homes outside the subdivisions are spread out, usually on lots with at least an acre. Some properties with at least 15 acres have sold for $470,000 to almost $580,000. Due to the rural setting, homes run on well water and septic tank systems, regardless of whether the properties are in a subdivision or tucked between farms.
Exploring Vosburg Neck State Park and nearby campgrounds
The Vosburg Neck State Park fills the southern-most half of the township, with almost 670 acres of untamed trees, 7 miles of hiking trails and access to the Susquehanna River. The Howland Preserve Boat Ramp allows kayakers to launch onto the water, and anglers can stand on the rocky shore while attempting to reel in smallmouth bass. Camp Lackawanna is in the park, and while the camp is mainly used by church groups for retreats and vacation Bible school, anyone can hike around 7 miles of trails.
Hawk’s Stony Mountain Family Campground offers places to stay overnight and annual events for the public. “The campground has been open since 1963, but I bought it in 2008,” Hawk says. Campers pay to stay on the grounds, but anyone can visit for the annual kids’ fishing derby in June and the car show in August. “We allow car enthusiasts to bring their prized vehicles or to just come check out the cars,” Hawk says. “We have a basket raffle and a chicken barbecue. We don’t charge admission.”
Working for Procter & Gamble or commuting to Scranton or Wilkes-Barre
Out of all the townships in Wyoming County, Washington gives residents the easiest access to manufacturing jobs. The drive to the Procter & Gamble manufacturing plant takes less than 5 minutes, depending on where people live. Commuters heading to Scranton or Wilkes-Barre drive around 30 miles down state Route 6, which can take almost 50 minutes with light traffic. It takes nearly the same amount of time to reach the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport.
Attending Tunhannock Area schools, preschool at Russell Hill UMC
Kids attend kindergarten through second grade at the Tunkhannock Area Primary Center, which is currently unrated by Niche. Tunkhannock Area Intermediate School gets a C-plus and feeds into the C-rated Tunkhannock STEM Academy. Tunkhannock Area High School earns a B-minus and has championship-winning sports teams and an active Future Farmers of America group. Russell Hill United Methodist Church is the only place of worship in the township, and the church offers preschool and pre-kindergarten classes in addition to before- and after-school care services.
Antiques and bars in Washington, stores and restaurants in Tunkhannock
When it comes to shopping and dining, nearby Tunkhannock has the most options, from locally owned restaurants to chain grocery stores like Aldi and Walmart. Marty's Market in Meshoppen is a short drive from home, and people can purchase all their weekly groceries or order a sandwich at the deli. “Usually, a lot of people go to Sam’s Club in Scranton,” Hawk says.
Anyone who wants to shop in Washington Township can browse the selections at Apple Wagon Antique Mall near Route 6. The wide front porch usually has items on display, showing a small sample of what’s waiting inside behind the red front door. The Highway Inn is the township’s only bar, and it’s been in the area for decades. Locals drive down Route 6 to the Fireplace Restaurant for a steak, sandwich or salad paired with a specialty cocktail or locally sourced wine.
Contests and blue ribbon entries at the Wyoming County Festival
At the end of August every year, residents travel one township over to Meshoppen for the Wyoming County Festival. The event was created so farmers could show off their prized animals and crops, and while blue ribbon contests are still a feature of the festival, locals can participate by entering pie contests, tractor pull races and the demolition derby. Vendors sell handmade crafts while a headlining act plays live music and visitors pet animals or wait in line for carnival rides.
