Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania, is a small community (population 1,502) in Centre County, just miles from downtown State College. Sitting at the base of a ridgeline on the main thoroughfare to neighboring Huntingdon County, much of the area is characterized by the flat, fertile farmlands of Nittany Valley.
Immediately south of Pine Grove Mills, however, sits the gateway to Rothrock State Forest, which offers hundreds of thousands of acres of land for outdoor recreation. Pine Grove Mills is also one of the closest locations in Centre County to the famed Raystown Lake, which provides almost 13 square miles of waterways for public enjoyment.
The village was founded by Thomas Ferguson who, in 1791, bought 321 acres of land for 300 pounds in gold and silver coins. He would later dam Slab Cabin Run and build the first of the mills that would eventually give the village its name.
While the mills are long gone, the village remains an active community today. A handful of businesses, a school and a tavern call the area home. The Naked Egg Café is a popular stop for those exploring nearby state parks such as Whipple Dam and Greenwood Furnace, or heading to university-owned Shavers Creek Environmental Center. Just outside of town, Penn State’s Ag Progress Days are held each August, the largest outdoor agricultural exposition in the state.
With so much open space nearby, you might forget that you’re only 15 minutes from the heart of State College. The easy drive into town and the village’s location within State College Area School District makes this a great commuter community. A variety of homes are available here; from vintage charmers to mid-century moderns and new-builds, there’s something for most tastes.
Many great neighborhoods exist, but we love Somerset, with its rural feel and its close proximity to Pine Grove Mills’ historic main street. This neighborhood of 24 homes was developed by Levi Homes, and sit on lots of at least one-third acre, similar to neighboring Westfield.
Hillside Farm Estates is another great development of 160 homes with panoramic views of Mount Nittany. It features city water and sewer, homey sidewalks, and is conveniently located near Cecil Irvin Park. Thistlewood is another wonderful community nearby with larger lots – up to 5.7 acres – with pathways to a stream and state forest land.
For historic homes, Pine Grove Mills proper is a great place to look. The nearby villages of Fairbrook and Pennsylvania Furnace, near the Huntingdon County line, are farther away from Penn State, but offer more affordable homes with character. The developments of Ramblewood I & II can be found nearby, which offer both wooded and open lots with ranch and two-story homes. Despite these neighborhoods’ rural location, the ball fields, basketball court and picnic grounds of beautiful Fairbrook Park are just a stone’s throw away.
If you’d like to be on the State College side of Pine Grove Mills, consider Foxpointe. One of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in the county, it features hundreds of homes with sidewalks, volleyball and basketball courts, playgrounds and open space. If you like newer builds yet want a unique architectural style, check out the Hunter’s Chase section of this development, which features vintage-styled homes.
Turnberry is another popular option nearby – so popular, in fact, that this newer neighborhood is sold out! It offers beautiful one- and two-story homes and duplexes in a great location with walking and bike paths nearby. Keep an eye open and you may be able to snag a home in this sought-after development!
If you want the easy lifestyle of townhome living, you have that option here, too. Pine Hall Townhomes are close to State College and offer fabulous views with amenities like first-floor master suites and high efficiency heating and cooling systems.
It’s worth noting two brand-new developments coming to the area: The Cottages at State College, and Harner Farms. The Cottages will be a luxury student housing complex along Whitehall Road that will house 1,000 residents in 268 units. Not only is this great news for students, but for the community as well: part of the closing agreement for this property states that the developer will contribute neighborhood infrastructure and a sewage station, meaning the adjacent 100-plus acre Whitehall park will become a reality.
The Harner Farms development is still in the planning stages; however, a preliminary concept presented to officials includes a Sheetz; a mixed-use building with retail, offices and apartments; and 36 single-family residential lots. This will all be located on a 26-acre plot on the southwest side of Whitehall Road.
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