A canopy of weeping greenery once greeted the residents of Willow Street, an unincorporated community named after the abundant willow trees that adorned its roads. Over the years, residential subdivisions replaced many of the area's willow trees as Lancaster's suburban sprawl spread southward along Willow Street Pike. Straddled between the townships of West Lampeter and Pequea, Willow Street comprises a suburban corridor surrounded by farmland. "It's historically significant for its Amish heritage and tourist sights," says Christine Nolt, a Realtor with Kingsway Realty and a Lancaster native. In the early 1700s, Amish and Mennonite communities settled in the area after fleeing religious prosecution in Europe. Sharing this local history, the 1719 Museum is home to the Herr House, the county's oldest building. The former estate of a prominent and successful Mennonite family, it was also once a Mennonite meeting house.
A large section of West Lampeter is zoned for agricultural use, preserving the area's heritage, scenic surroundings and quiet lifestyle. Today, Willow Street features suburban living with a dose of rural charm, providing an escape from the hubbub of city life. Located about 5 miles south of the city of Lancaster's historic district, the community offers a quick commute to a thriving arts and cultural scene, while local industries span many sectors, including tourism and hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing and distribution, education, health care and government.
There's amazing views in all directions in Willow Street.
Located in Willow Street, the Hans Herr House is the oldest homestead in Lancaster County.
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Condos, townhouses and single-family homes branch out from Willow Street Pike
Historic 19th and 20th-century homes line Willow Street Pike, while 20th- and 21st-century suburban subdivisions fan off both sides. Neighborhoods feature a mix of apartments, condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes, some backing up to the Willow Valley Golf Course. The median price hovers around $330,000, with home prices ranging from the low $200,000s to $500,000. Although most development is clustered around Willow Street Pike, surrounding acres of farmland can fetch price tags well above $1 million. The 55-plus Willow Valley Communities spans over 100 acres along Peach Bottom Road. Residents have their choice of apartments, one-story villas or two-story townhouses.
Willow Street offers Traditional Homes in a rural setting.
Three friends finish up their round at Willow Valley Golf Course in Lyndon.
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Two highly rated school districts and several colleges nearby
Willow Street residents are zoned within two districts, Lampeter-Strasburg School District and Penn Manor School District. Both schools earn an overall A-minus rating from Niche. Lampeter-Strasburg enrolls approximately 3,000 students across two elementary schools, one middle and one high school. All four schools share a campus. Penn Manor serves nearly 5,550 students across seven elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The community is also home to the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center.
Close to home, nearby institutions of higher learning include Millersville University, Franklin and Marshall University, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and Lancaster Bible College.
Lampeter-Strahsburg High School in Lampeter, PA.
Pequea Elementary School is located at 802 Millwood Rd, Willow Street, PA 17584.
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Neighborhood parks and trails along the Conestoga River
Lancaster County offers all four seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold winters that come with an average annual snowfall of around 27 inches. The community is home to several neighborhood green spaces. Heatherfield Park offers a quiet retreat with winding walkways that pass by a small playground before looping past the backside of Garrett Field. Up the road, the West Lampeter Township Neighborhood Park sits behind the Willow Street United Church. Multiple playgrounds and ball fields cater to residents, churchgoers and the Willow Street UCC Preschool.
Lancaster County Central Park, the city's largest green space, is just 3 miles north. The Conestoga River serves as a natural border, inviting kayakers and anglers. Nearly 544 acres of rolling hills give way to an outdoor swimming pool, a community garden and sports facilities like a skate park. Miles of trails weave through the park, while the nearby Conestoga Greenway runs along the riverbanks. Additional trails and a disc golf course await at Shiprock Woods Nature Preserve.
The county pool at Lancaster County Central Park is a popular summer destination in Bridgeport.
Heatherfield Park sits right inside of a residential neighborhood.
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Shopping and dining in Lancaster
Several businesses line Willow Street Pike, along with Kendig Square, a small shopping center that includes a grocery store and a movie theater. Additional big-box stores, national grocers and the Tanger Outlets are scattered along Lincoln Highway, 6 miles away. Lancaster's central shopping corridor runs along Fruitville Pike and Manheim Pike, 7 miles north.
Small pizza joints and locally owned diners line Willow Street, while top-rated restaurants are just 5 miles away in Lancaster. "The food scene has exploded over the past decade," says Tyler Stoltz, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty who has over seven years of experience in the industry.
The region's agricultural roots are displayed through the city's plethora of farm-to-table restaurants. Small cafes, casual eateries and fine-dining establishments serve global cuisines ranging from French to Middle Eastern. The Southern Market is a popular food hall, while the iconic Lancaster Central Market offers fresh meats, cheeses, produce and more. Central Market also hosts the Annual Strawberry Festival every June, where residents can taste-test strawberry-themed and -infused foods, jam out to live music or enjoy family-friendly activities.
The Southern Market is a well-known lunch destination in Downtown Lancaster.
Lyndon residents can find most anything they need at Kendig Square Shopping Center.
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Quick downtown commutes
Due to the community's suburban-rural nature, most residents rely on personal vehicles, but the Red Rose Transit Authority offers public transportation around Willow Street and the metro area, with bus routes running along Willow Street Pike and Peach Bottom Road. Lancaster General Hospital, the local Amtrak station and the city's historic district are 5 miles north via U.S. Route 222. Lancaster Airport offers a handful of regional commuter flights about 10 miles north, while Harrisburg International Airport is about 40 miles west via U.S. Route 30 and Pennsylvania State Route 283.
The intersection of King and Queen Streets marks the center of Downtown Lancaster.
There's public transportation in Willow Street.
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Decreasing crime rates
FBI crime data states that West Lampeter Township's crime rates, which includes most of Willow Street, are historically lower than the national average. According to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, West Lampeter Township saw a 10% decrease in violent crime rates between 2023 and 2024. Property crime also decreased by nearly 11%.
A native of Lancaster County, Anne has over 25 years of experience in real estate. A graduate of Penn State University, she launched her real estate career while living in Florida. She returned to Lancaster to be closer to family and went on to co-own a mid-size agency before venturing out on her own in 2006. In 2014, Anne found her greatest opportunity, which was to associate her boutique real estate agency with Sotheby's International Realty. Anne leaves no stone unturned when it comes to helping her clients in either buying or selling.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
