Cornwall Borough & South Lebanon Township · Cornwall, PA

Cornwall Neighborhood Guide

A historic iron-furnace community built around the 1742 Cornwall Iron Furnace — estate homes, wooded hills, and the Cornwall-Lebanon School District just minutes from Lebanon city.

Comprehensive Area Guide

Living in Cornwall, Cornwall, PA

Located in southern Lebanon County just minutes south of Lebanon city, Cornwall was founded by Peter Grubb in 1732 and developed by Robert Coleman into one of the most productive iron operations in colonial America. The Cornwall Iron Furnace — now a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site and National Historic Landmark — anchors the town's historic core and remains one of the most complete charcoal-fired iron furnaces in North America. That industrial heritage still shapes the community's identity today, visible in the historic stone buildings, the iron-master's mansion, and the preserved furnace complex that draw visitors year-round.

The surrounding residential streets offer some of the most distinctive housing in Lebanon County. Historic stone and iron-master estate homes sit near the furnace, while mid-century colonials on wooded hillside lots and newer construction in the surrounding Cornwall and South Lebanon townships stretch up into the wooded slopes of the surrounding ridges. Mature trees, the Cornwall reservoir, and the nearby wooded hills give the community a more rural, estate-like feel than the boroughs to the north.

Families are drawn to the well-regarded Cornwall-Lebanon School District, consistently rated among the stronger districts in the mid-state, with Cedar Crest High School as the flagship. The community's location just south of Lebanon city puts downtown Lebanon, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, and the Route 422 corridor within a few minutes' drive, and the PA Turnpike and US 322 connect Cornwall to Harrisburg within roughly 30 minutes.

Recreation is a genuine draw. The nearby Governor Dick Recreation Area and Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick offer hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and an observation tower with panoramic views of the Lebanon Valley — some of the best outdoor recreation in the county. The Cornwall reservoir and the wooded hills surrounding the community give residents easy access to nature without leaving town.

Cornwall Key Highlights

  • 1742 Cornwall Iron Furnace (National Landmark)
  • Cornwall-Lebanon School District (Cedar Crest HS)
  • Governor Dick Recreation Area & Observation Tower
  • Estate Homes & Wooded Hillside Lots
  • 5 Min to Lebanon City · 30 to Harrisburg

Walkable Amenities & Community Features

Cornwall Iron Furnace

A National Historic Landmark and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site — one of the most complete charcoal-fired iron furnaces in North America, anchoring the town's colonial heritage.

Governor Dick Recreation Area

Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick offers hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and an observation tower with panoramic views of the Lebanon Valley.

Cornwall-Lebanon School District

Consistently rated among the stronger districts in the mid-state, with Cedar Crest High School as the flagship serving Cornwall and the surrounding South Lebanon Township.

Wooded Hills & Cornwall Reservoir

Mature trees, the wooded slopes of the surrounding ridges, and the Cornwall reservoir give the community a rural, estate-like feel with easy access to nature.

Easy Access to Lebanon City & Route 422

Cornwall's location just south of Lebanon city puts downtown Lebanon, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, and the Route 422 corridor within a few minutes' drive, with Harrisburg 30 minutes away.

Community Snapshot

Cornwall Specs

Township
Cornwall Borough & South Lebanon Township
Zip Code
17016
School District
Cornwall-Lebanon School District (Cedar Crest HS)
Price Range
$225,000 – $500,000+
Home Styles
Historic Stone Estates, Single-Family, Wooded Hillside Homes
Years Built
1740s – Present
Harrisburg Commute
30 minutes via US-322 / Route 422
Inquire About Cornwall
The Living in Central PA Team

Aaron & Josh

The Living in Central PA Team

Thinking about buying or selling in Cornwall? Work with local specialists who know every floor plan, HOA detail, and upcoming listing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cornwall Real Estate FAQs

What school district serves Cornwall, PA?

Cornwall is served by the Cornwall-Lebanon School District, consistently rated among the stronger districts in the mid-state, with Cedar Crest High School as the primary high school serving the borough and surrounding South Lebanon Township.

What is the Cornwall Iron Furnace?

The Cornwall Iron Furnace is a National Historic Landmark and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission site — one of the most complete charcoal-fired iron furnaces in North America, founded in 1742 and now open to the public as a historic site.

How far is Cornwall from Harrisburg and Lebanon?

Cornwall is approximately 5 minutes south of Lebanon city and 30 minutes east of Harrisburg via US-322 and Route 422, making it an easy commute to both the county seat and the capital.

Is Cornwall a good place to buy a home?

Yes — Cornwall offers genuine historic character, estate-style housing on wooded hillside lots, top-rated Cornwall-Lebanon schools, and easy access to Lebanon city and the broader Harrisburg metro, making it one of Lebanon County's most distinctive residential addresses.

What outdoor recreation is near Cornwall?

The nearby Governor Dick Recreation Area offers hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and an observation tower with panoramic views of the Lebanon Valley, while the Cornwall reservoir and surrounding wooded hills provide easy access to nature within the community.

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