ABOUT BELLEFONTE
Well-preserved Victorian charm meets everyday livability in the borough of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Settled in 1795 and currently home to over 6,300 residents, there's a lot to love about this quaint county seat.
At one time considered the most influential town between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, history is abundant here. As you walk downtown, take in the 19th century architecture, including the county's courthouse – one of nine buildings within the borough on the National Register of Historic Places.
Make your way down Allegheny Street to Talleyrand Park, the crown jewel of Centre County’s park system – complete with suspension bridge, gazebo and sculpture garden. Don't miss the governor's monument on the way, commemorating the town's history as home to five Pennsylvania governors, and two other state governors. It wasn't far from here at the famous Bush House where Thomas Edison introduced townsfolk to electric lighting for the first time. The hotel was a popular spot before its destruction by fire in 2006, hosting the likes of Amelia Earhart and Henry Ford.
As you make your way through the park and along the town's namesake spring (Bellefonte is French for "beautiful spring"), make sure to stop at Big Spring Spirits, the state's first LEED Gold-certified distillery, located in the historic Match Factory complex, also home to the American Philatelic Society.
If you're into arts and culture, there's more to see: check out the Bellefonte Art Museum, which features the permanent exhibit "Underground Railroad - A Journey to Freedom,” highlighting the building and the borough's role as a station for those seeking refuge on the Underground Railroad. For history buffs, the Centre County Library’s Historical Museum and the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society are other must-see attractions.
LIVING HERE
Despite its historic nature, Bellefonte remains a modern, livable area. From small mom and pop shops to your everyday grocery chain, you'll have all you need right at your fingertips. And if you can't find it in town, the amenities of State College are only a short drive away.
Speaking of drives, you'll be centrally located if you call Bellefonte and Centre County home. Just a few hours from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington, you're never far from big city excitement when the mood strikes.
Your new home could be a variety of architectural styles. Large swaths of the borough are encompassed within the Bellefonte Historic District – 296 structures, to be exact. Buildings such as the First National Bank and Crider Exchange Building, Brockerhoff Hotel, the Gamble Mill, the Linn House, the Cadillac Building and others provide a stately background for day-to-day life. Other neighborhoods such as Halfmoon Hill and McAllister provide housing stock from the 1950s and beyond. Even newer developments outside of town offer new builds in a variety of prices and styles.
WHERE TO LIVE
BELLEFONTE BOROUGH
There are many beautiful neighborhoods to choose from, but what so many people love about Bellefonte is its variety of historic properties. Two neighborhoods primarily encompass them: Curtin and Linn Streets, and the Downtown neighborhood.
Located entirely within the National Register Historic District, the Curtin and Linn Streets neighborhood was once home to Bellefonte’s industrial magnates. Now, many of the homes are restored single-family homes or bed and breakfasts. You’ll find a variety of classical architectural styles on these tree-lined streets, including Gothic Italianate, Victorian and Greek Revival.
Most of the Downtown neighborhood is in the historic district as well. This area is a nice mix of historic commercial properties and residential properties. Many former homes have been repurposed, such as the 1815 Miles-Humes home, which is now the Centre County Library’s Historical Museum. Other large homes in the vicinity have been divided into apartments, while others have been lovingly restored as single-family residences.
For those looking at modest, newer homes in close vicinity of Bellefonte Area High School and Governors Park, the East End should be on your shortlist. Another affordable option would be the Rainbow Village area, a development of mostly ranches and Cape Cods. These well-maintained homes built mostly in the ‘50s and ‘60s feature nice-sized yards on tree-lined streets, also conveniently located near the high school.
For those with more to spend, consider Parkview Heights. One of the largest developments in the vicinity, it features homes with a wide variety of architectural styles, which range in build date from the 1950s through the ‘90s.
Continuing up the pricing scale, Parkview Heights Estates features newer homes of at least 1,800-square feet. These homes sit on 1/3- to 1/2-acre lots in a subdivision developed by Pinehurst Homes. This is a great location near Teener League fields and playground, and just 1.5 miles to I-99! Building lots are still available in this great development.
BENNER & SPRING TOWNSHIPS
It's hard to beat the location and scenery of Benner and Spring townships, Centre County. A quick drive to the amenities of Bellefonte or State College, they have the charm of country living without the lengthy commute. Some of the county’s most notable employers are here; Restek, the Centre County Correctional Facility, the State Correctional Institute at Rockview, and University Park Airport all call this area home. Multiple office and industrial parks such as Benner Commerce Park can also be found here.
Education is important, too. Located just outside the borough of Pleasant Gap in Spring Township, the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology offers more than 18 secondary programs, over 60 in-house adult and continuing education programs, and more than 350 online courses. The vocational school serves hundreds of students from Centre County and beyond. Other schools located in these townships include Benner and Pleasant Gap elementary schools.
As part of the greater State College metro area, there’s been a large population growth in the past few years. The rural character has remained much intact, however, and, like over 60 percent of the county’s homes, most of them remain owner-occupied.
If you're looking for a single-family home in the Bellefonte Area School District, this might be a good area to begin your search. Amberleigh is a neighborhood we love, which features single-family homes with open floorplans, and 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhomes. Building lots and new units are currently available.
Another great option is OpeQuon Hill. This unique development blends nature and community, with 16 acres of common space. Single-family homes and upscale condos can both be found here, along with breathtaking vistas and a great location only miles from a Class A fly-fishing stream.
If you’re looking for affordable, easy living, then check out The Village of Nittany Glen. This clubhouse community offers single-unit ranch homes from $190,000.
For historical and recreational value, check out the areas bordering Spring Creek. Some of this area, known as "Fisherman's Paradise," is the oldest fly fishing-only water in the United States, and was a popular fishing spot for President Jimmy Carter. Whether you're looking for a summer home or full-time residence, this area has properties with lots of rural character, perfect for the angler or nature lover.
Abundant historical character can also be found in Coleville, a tight-knit community just outside Bellefonte Borough. This area offers affordable homes from the late 1800s to early 1900s, not far from downtown.
MARION & WALKER TOWNSHIPS
Heading east of town through Nittany Valley lie the "twin" townships of Marion and Walker. These townships generally consist of rolling farmland bordered by Bald Eagle and Nittany ridges.
As of 2010, the joint population was roughly 5,657 people. From 2000 to 2010, Walker Township reported a 34.4 percent increase in population, with Marion township reporting a 25 percent increase. It's no surprise, then, that these townships are appealing places to live. Great value for your money means you can create the country retreat you’ve always dreamed of!
If you enjoy small village life, this area is a great place to call home. Zion is a rural community with a bank, gas stations and other conveniences – everything you might need at a moment’s notice. Grocery stores and other amenities are only a short drive away in Bellefonte. The area has seen significant growth recently, with many new and established neighborhoods that include Cherrywood Estates, Krape, Smoke Rise, Wild Cherry Acres, Zion Ridgecrest, and Zionview Vista.
A string of less developed communities are strung along Route 64. Mingoville was the former home of the Hecla Amusement Park, first opened in the 1890s and fondly remembered by older residents to this day. A variety of home styles are featured here, mostly on wooded lots. Nittany Country Club’s golf course is located here as well.
Farther down the road, the rural village of Hublersburg sits among fertile Amish farms. Untouched by significant development, this area offers some great older homes with lots of character. The popular Hublersburg Inn is here, in business since 1827. Nittany is another similarly rural village of modest homes, with some spilling over the Clinton County line.
The only village in rural Marion Township, Jacksonville’s main street is lined with older homes, a historic church and the quaint Marion Grange. This community is just a few miles’ drive through the mountain pass to Bald Eagle State Park, which offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation.
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