Manor Township

Buffered by dense housing in nearby Ford City and outdoor amenities at the Crooked Creek Lake Recreation Area, Manor Township offers a healthy balance of small-town community and serene nature in rural western Pennsylvania. “Manor Township is kind of like a hub; you can catch the expressway into the city, there are plenty of shops, and you’ve got the Allegheny River waterfront right there,” says Denise Lewandowski, Realtor with Howard Hanna, who has sold properties in the area for 20 years. Whether you’re looking for the privacy of a multi-acre plot or prefer the camaraderie of having neighbors within earshot, you’ll find options in Manor Township.

Centered on the Lenape Heights borough, the township features colorful cottages and country ranch-style homes. Most streets do not have sidewalks, but traffic is light enough for daily walks. Historical homes from the late 1800s offer a glimpse of what life was like when the township was established, and a sprawling collection of farmhouse ranches stretch out into the wooded hills. Homes generally offer three bedrooms and less than 2,000 square feet of living space, and prices depend more on lot size. While the half-acre lots in Lenape Heights usually list under $250,000, properties off the beaten path with at least 5 acres can list for upwards of $350,000. “A lot of people covet that country setting and homes that aren’t on top of each other, and in Manor, you can have that without sacrificing proximity to shopping,” Lewandowski says.

If you live in the more community-oriented Lenape Heights borough, you’ll be within walking distance of Ford City Memorial Park, where you can attend a rousing annual Memorial Day celebration. From here, you can hop on the 35-mile Armstrong Trail, a paved bike route that rides the banks of the Allegheny River. You’ll find a basketball court and a baseball field at Fort Run Park, and Falcon Park offers plenty of serene green space for a weekend picnic — you might even catch sight of one of the local falcons that nest here. You’ll also have easy access to the Crooked Creek Lake Recreation Area, one of the highlights of Armstrong County. Covering almost 800 acres, the park wraps around its namesake lake and includes beaches, trails, campgrounds and picnic pavilions. Fishing is a popular pastime here, and you’ll also find a disc golf course and a horse park that local equestrians love.

After spending the day at the lake, refuel with a custom burger from Ryan’s Creek House, just minutes from the park’s scenic trails and offers more than 70 beers on tap, a large sports bar area and a woodsy ambiance. You’ll find more small, homey restaurants closer to Ford City, including Nite Courts, a locally owned Italian joint with rotating daily specials and a famous 2-foot sub. After you sleep off the food coma, hit the green at Lenape Heights Golf Resort, a public 18-hole course where you can also book a weekend getaway at the inn.

On Monday, students living in Manor Township can return to class at one of the local Armstrong School District locations. Some students in Lenape Heights might even be able to walk to Lenape Elementary School, which maintains a grade of C-plus on Niche. In seventh grade, students will transition to Armstrong Junior-Senior High School, which maintains a grade of C on Niche and offers optional dual enrollment courses to help students get a head start on college credits. In 11th and 12th grade, interested students can also get hands-on and vocational training at the Lenape Technical School, which maintains a grade of B on Niche.

Just south of the high school, state Route 28 makes it easy to reach downtown Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh International Airport, about 50 miles southwest. But you won’t have to trek to the city for daily conveniences like groceries and doctor’s appointments. Hankey’s Riverside is the community’s go-to supermarket, and Armstrong Primary Care Center is only a few miles north in the borough of Kittanning. If you’re looking for a home where you can enjoy the rural landscape without sacrificing a strong sense of community, you might find the right balance in Manor Township.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Alec Oswald

Video By

Melinda Anselmo