Dunbar Township

Find your new abode in the mountain foothills that inspired Frank Lloyd Wright to create one of his most beloved designs. Dunbar homeowners live around the corner from the famed Falling Water home site in the lush Laurel Highlands. Dunbar is a little town off the highway with a robust industrial history. Its era-specific buildings remain a testament to the past. Positioned between the Youghiogheny River and the region's main connector, these locals enjoy natural scenery and convenient accessibility.

This quiet rail town doesn’t see many visitors, keeping the streets safe and uncluttered. Homeowners maintain spacious grassy lawns surrounding simple, modest homes. Many Dunbar properties date to the early 1900s with small floorplans and charming historical details, like original flooring and wood-burning fireplaces. These older properties sell for $150,000 with a complete renovation and about half as much in their original condition. Many homes here will need a little TLC, a good opportunity for buyers interested in gaining sweat equity. Dunbar’s midcentury ranch homes have a $200,000 price tag. “Many of these folks are lifelong residents who take pride in the place that they call home, says Brandon Jordan, Associate Broker at BHHS, The Preferred Realty and frequent local seller. Most Dunbar listings sell within two weeks.

Dunbar kids on the public school track attend the Connellsville Area District. Many begin learning at the nearby Dunbar Township Elementary, rated C-plus on Niche, and continue to Connellsville Area Middle, rated C-minus and Senior High, rated C-plus. School commutes start around 15 minutes, increasing for those living farther south. The district has an average graduation rate of 86%, and many rising seniors apply to the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State Fayette nearby.

Dunbar locals have access to the Youghiogheny River. "The river provides recreational opportunities like rafting, fishing, hiking and biking. It's also the host location for the annual Fayette County Fair," Jordan says. You'll also find a 71-mile trail here, connecting to the larger Great Allegheny Passage, stretching from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. Hikers and cyclists also frequent the Sheepskin Trail, part of the current rail-to-trail project, which will eventually bridge the Great Allegheny Passage, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and the West Virginia system, for lengthy rides across the region.

Dunbar's population count fluctuates around 1,000. Residents can visit the Dunbar Township website for essential information and updates, including a calendar of events, contact information, documents, and township ordinances. The Dunbar Historical Society does a lot to maintain the neighborhood's historical integrity. Check out the Facebook page for details about upcoming events and interesting facts. You can also stay connected with your community in this rural neighborhood via the City of Connellsville website, where you'll find a full schedule of larger events, including Thursday Farmer's Markets and holiday celebrations like the annual Christmas Parade.

JB's Market is your one-stop shop, serving deli sandwiches and pantry items to the community. You'll travel 3 miles north, toward Wheeler, for bigger shops at Walmart Supercenter. Ed's Diner is the neighborhood's go-to for a quick and easy meal, and Yough River Brewing is a newer addition to the area, serving cool drafts to patrons huddled around firepits with water views. Other commercial areas and retail stop-offs extend the length of the highway. Catch a flick at Comet Drive-In, or visit on Sunday to peruse the weekly Flea Market. Dunbar locals travel into Connellsville for more shopping and dining.

Dunbar is roughly 50 miles south of Pittsburgh's city center and about the same distance from Morgantown, West Virginia, in the south. Interstate 76 is your primary connector, and this rural area is a driving town with limited public transportation options. Connellsville, 5 miles north, has an Amtrak station for long-distance travel. Civic offices and the Uniontown Hospital are the region's top employers, followed closely by the school district. For quiet living and mountain scenery, explore Dunbar.

Written By

Caeleigh Griffin

Photography Contributed By

Stacey Callaway

Video By

Taylor Noll