Enola - Off the Rails Fun

The Enola Miller house (circa 1841) relocated to the East Pennsboro Historical Society headquarters.

The home base of The Boro Dude, Enola, is not as easy to capture as many small towns in Pennsylvania are. What is not difficult to find is where it traces its roots to. Situated across the Susquehanna River from the state capital Harrisburg, Enola can be described as a sprawling town that is comprised of both historical neighborhoods as well as swaths of commercial and suburban developments that adjoin densely populated areas. Though parts of the town are walkable, Enola is best explored by vehicle if you want to catch all of the best parts.

Named after Enola Miller, the daughter of Wesley Miller, who was provided the opportunity to name a flagship rail station after selling land to the railroad company that would eventually become known as the Enola Rail Yard. The legacy of the rail industry in town is evident today and there are still active rail operations. The rail yard would be hailed as the "world's largest classification freight yard" in 1914. Efforts to preserve the Miller house was were spearheaded by the Historical Society of East Pennsboro, which I recently became a member of to learn more about the area's history. Societies such as this one are critical to the preservation of our historic downtown areas as well as the record keeping of the story of how these communities become who they are. I would not have suspected such detailed, historic accounts of the town would still be available.

Speaking of the town's history, Enola and its incorporated jurisdiction East Pennsboro Township, are unique as they represent one of the few municipalities in Pennsylvania that have absorbed another community, The Village of West Fairview. The merger of the communities occurred during the 1990s when West Fairview could no longer support itself financially. The village, however, is one of the first spectacles you see when driving into Enola along the river. You will not see a bustling downtown in West Fairview, but rather a collection of residences, churches and industry that characterize its small town appearance. West Fairview compliments the rest of Enola and should not be overlooked when visiting the area.

Looking east across the Susquehanna River towards Harrisburg from the edge of West Fairview Village.

Village square looking north in West Fairview Village.

St Marks Lutheran Church located at the Village square.

A residence along Second Street in West Fairview Village.

Venturing uphill into the historic stretch of Enola, you will likely stumble upon a favorite gathering spot of locals during warmer months. Kristy's Whistle Stop has all of your delectable comfort foods, from fried appetizers to sweet and frosted treats. Finding a parking spot at Kristy's during summer evenings is a challenge, but absolutely worth your time if you can. I have been impatiently anticipating its reopening after it closed for the winter, which is scheduled to be the week this article goes live. It would not be unthinkable to catch me standing in line here at least several times a month during its open season.

Entering downtown Enola, which is essentially comprised of one main street where many of its historic buildings reside (besides the Enola Miller house mentioned earlier), you will pass unique styles of residences and classic office buildings. Many of the residences you will see are likely not legally zoned to be constructed in most areas around the town these days. Though the downtown strip is walkable, it is certainly a workout in of itself given its elevation gain hiking up from the river.

If you would rather exercise in a greener space, Enola is also surrounded by high quality parks that hug the Conodoguinet Creek throughout East Pennsboro Township. The creek offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or, my personal favorite, tubing! It is not uncommon to see large groups of summertime tubers floating down the creek as most of the parks around Enola provide water access. Despite the beauty of the other parks in town, the main attraction is Adams Ricci Community Park located just outside of historic stretch of Enola. Spanning 82 acres and featuring a number of different ball fields, courts, playgrounds and trails, this park is tailored towards all ages and includes a short but challenging nature trail that ends with a waterfront view of the Conodoguinet.

The bottom of the Adams Ricci nature trail which ends with a recreational area near the Conodoguinet Creek.

The Pennsylvania Railroad car that greets park visitors at its entrance.

If you're winding down your day around Enola, I will offer two more suggestions of key locations that sit off the beaten path. The first would be my favorite local dining experience, Center Street Grille. When I first moved to the area, I never thought much of the restaurant while driving by as it doesn't jump out to the average bystander from its exterior appearance. Walk inside and the vibe quickly changes to an inviting ambiance while the quality of menu options compliments the atmosphere, especially if you like wings. Boasting several trophies from the National Buffalo Wing contest in Buffalo, NY, Center Street Grille is often regarded as having the best wings in south central PA. You will not find a more creative selection of wing sauces, with weekly options updated. Don't worry, your classic flavors are available too, and if you like your wings hot, they have that covered at several levels of pain threshold. The rest of their menu selections are not the standard American cuisine, sourcing influence from several cultures. I suggest starting with the birria empanadas, and diving into either seafood with lobster lo mein or stay with the southwest theme choosing the carnitas and elote mac. You cannot go wrong with the menu here.

The unassuming exterior of Center Street Grille, packed full of cars as usual.

Lastly, if you are looking to cap off your evening with some entertainment, head back down along the creek to the Oyster Mill Playhouse. Originally a grist mill, the building that now plays host to a rotation of seasonal productions was renovated into the theater in 1988. Run by volunteers, this bootstrap theater is a volunteer run, non-profit organization that relies on its donors to keep its creative juices flowing. Despite flooding damage having occurred multiple times during its history, the playhouse is still operating and its production schedule can be found here.

Oyster Mill Playhouse located along Oyster Mill road and along the banks of the Conodoguinet Creek.

Enola is not your 15-minute downtown walk, but rather a collection of historic and recreational opportunities that are beckoning to be explored. I am happy to have made Enola the home base of The Boro Dude as I continue uncovering hidden gems of the area the more I explore. If traveling through the mid-state, take a moment to enjoy the splendor of Enola and West Fairview Village, which offers a nice change of pace from its busier neighbor Harrisburg across the river. If you need more convincing, see my full photo log from the Enola area in my gallery.

Rails and trails in PA usually lead to a town that is waiting for its next visitor, and Enola is no exception to that rule.

-The Boro Dude