Woodstown

Woodstown is a delightful, small borough in South Jersey surrounded by the beautiful farmland of Pilesgrove Township. With historical homes, local businesses and country traditions, this little Salem County gem retains the true heart of small-town America.

Memories live on in the borough’s many properties built between the 18th and 19th centuries, including the Jackanias Wood House, a stately brick home owned by the early settler, with original parts still intact from 1757. Throughout the borough, you’ll come across even more historical properties you can call home. They feature influences of Colonial and Victorian architecture, selling for around $300,000 to $500,000. Branch out a bit further from the heart of town, and you’ll find various single-family homes from the mid-1900s, including a mix of ranch styles and Colonial Revivals ranging from $250,000 to $350,000. If you’re looking for something more modern, you can settle down in a brand new, 2,500 to 3,000-square-foot Craftsman-style house in a housing development for around $500,000 to $550,000. Those who prefer to have lots of land can find an array of newer and older homes in the rural section of Pilsegrove Township, with several acres of yard space surrounded by beautiful farmland. They typically range anywhere from $400,000 to more than $1 million.

The borough’s quaint town center features a block of local businesses where you can eat and shop. Start your morning with breakfast in the homey atmosphere of Woodstown Diner. Around the corner, you can’t miss the Romanesque tower of what was once First National Bank built in 1892, which has been transformed into Farmers & Bankers Brewing, where you can enjoy craft beer in a hip, rusting setting. Across the street, locals enjoy staying up late at Woodstown Tavern, another popular hangout with more of a dive-bar feel with pool tables and live music. You also have several Italian restaurants to choose from, like Joe’s Pizza, located in a small shopping center just outside of town. The shopping center features an ACME, Rite Aid and Tractor Supply Co for much of your shopping needs.

You haven’t truly experienced Woodstown until you’ve stopped by Cowtown Farmers Market, where folks have been selling and shopping for locally sourced products since 1926. The giant cowboy and red cow statue greet you at the front of this community staple, which houses dozens of vendors selling a wide range of products, and restaurants such as Byler’s BBQ, a real crowd-pleaser. But what really gets the crowd roaring is the Cowtown Rodeo, the oldest weekly running rodeo in the United States. The rodeo has been a longstanding tradition in the community since 1929, where locals come together to cheer on cowboys roping and riding steer every Saturday from May through September.

Marlton Park is the town’s main hub for community events and outdoor recreation. Woodstown Rotary regularly hosts concerts in the park for locals to enjoy. And every Fourth of July, the community gathers for a parade, which leads to the park, where they cap the night with a fireworks show. On typical days, people visit to walk and jog along the paved trails that loop the 62-acre park. With several sports fields, you’ll frequently see parents cheering on their kids playing football, baseball, soccer and lacrosse. And when they’re not playing sports, children can play on one of three playgrounds.

Neighborhood students start kindergarten at William Roper Early Childhood Learning Center. They go on to May S. Shoemaker Elementary School, Woodstown Middle School and Woodstown High School. The high school has a B+ overall rating from Niche and is notable for its communications academy, where students can study broadcasting, journalism, public relations and other communications programs.

If you’re looking for historic charm, an active community and weekend bull riding, Woodstown just might be the place for you.

Written By

Nicolas Stuart

Photography Contributed By

Carmen Gerace

Video By

Antoine Allen