Friendly communities surrounded by farms in West Cocalico Township
In 1838, Cocalico split into East and West Cocalico townships. The east side became more commercialized and the west has maintained much of its Amish and Mennonite farming roots. Within West Cocalico Township are a few small unincorporated communities, including Schoeneck and Stevens, which are mostly made up of subdivisions, and Reinholds, a similar area but with a few restaurants and farm markets. Along with scenic backroads of abundant farmland, the county’s tallest mountain adds to the township’s natural beauty. The friendly faces also bring comfort to residents like Kimberly Smith, who works for the township and moved back here from Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2024. “Everyone was in such a hurry in Charlotte. Here, they take the time to say ‘Hello’,” Smith says. “If you reach out to someone with a question or a need, a typical response is, ‘I know someone that can help you.’”
Housing prices have a wide range due to various lot sizes
Home prices in the area vary greatly based on lot size. Some homes are in suburban-like developments, while others are either tucked away in the woods or facing sprawling farmland. Ranch-style and split-level homes with less than an acre of land sell for $170,000 to $370,000. Similar homes with one to 11 acres range from $200,000 to $650,000. Larger and more upscale New Traditional homes cost between $650,000 and $950,000. Historic bungalows dating back to the mid-1800s to early 1900s are also an option, with prices ranging from around $200,000 to $490,000.
Shopping and Dining
Of the township’s few stores and restaurants, most are in Reinholds. “While it’s not a place for shopping or busy nightlife, that’s exactly what makes it appealing,” Smith says. “It’s safe, serene, and rooted in community.” Kountry Korner Drive-In has been a community staple since the 1960s. The restaurant serves comfort food, including fried chicken, cheesesteaks and soft-serve ice cream, with options for eating outside at a picnic table or in the small shack. The Historic Reinholds Inn started as a hotel and train station in the 1860s. Today, it’s the one spot in town with a beer garden, trivia nights and live music. For pizza and cheesesteaks, locals head to Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant. Locals have access to fresh produce and flowers at Railside Produce Farm Market and Dogwood Farm Market. The borough of Denver is right next to the township and has even more businesses, including a Weaver Markets grocery store and several restaurants. There are even more shopping and dining options in Ephrata , about 6 miles away.
Highly rated schools in Denver
Each public school is outside of the township in Denver. Students may attend Denver Elementary School, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche. Cocalico Middle School and Cocalico High School are both graded a B-plus. High schoolers have the opportunity to participate in an internship program, which allows them to hands-on training and career guidance from local partnering businesses.
Texter Mountain and parks support active lifestyles
Texter Mountain Preserve features miles of wooded nature trails that lead to the highest point in Lancaster County at 1,180 feet above sea level. During the summer, hikers enjoy picking wild raspberries while exploring the mountain. It also has designated areas for archery hunting. Galen Hall Golf Club has been in the foothills between Lancaster and Berks counties since 1917. It’s open to the public and most notable for hole 15, known as the “Moat Hole,” one of the country’s first island greens. The township has a few small parks with playgrounds, basketball courts and ball fields, including Chapel Gate Park in Reinholds and Schoeneck Park, which also features a sand volleyball court.
Getting to Lancaster, Reading and cities with international airports
West Cocalico Township is a car-dependent community with no public buses. The township is halfway between Lancaster and Reading, so commuters can drive 20 miles to either city. The Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) runs directly through the township, with the closest access point in Denver. It’s about a 50-mile drive to Harrisburg and Allentown , and about 70 miles to Philadelphia . All three cities have international airports.
Crime
The township has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. The Ephrata Police Department serves the area, and each small community has its own volunteer fire department. “All the fire companies have events. Sometimes they do bingo, barbecues or all-you-can-eat breakfast,” Smith says.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
