Preston

🌲 Preston Township, tucked into the highlands of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, is a sprawling, mountainous second-class township known for its lakes, elevated terrain, and deep historical roots. Here's a full portrait:

📍 Geography & Location

• Total area: 51.55 sq mi, with 2.13 sq mi of water
• Elevation: 2,077 feet (633 meters) — among the highest in Wayne County
• Coordinates: 41.81667°N, 75.43333°W
• ZIP code: 18439, Area code: 570

🏘️ Community & Demographics

• Population (2010): 1,014; estimated at 977 in 2016
• Population density: about 20 people per square mile
• Racial makeup: predominantly White, with small percentages of other groups
• Known for its quiet, rural lifestyle and seasonal residents

💼 Economy & Income

• Historically agricultural, with some tourism and seasonal rentals
• Income levels vary, with a mix of retirees, farmers, and lakefront homeowners

🏡 Housing & Lifestyle

• Includes villages like Lakewood, Tallmansville, Orson, and Poyntelle
• Home to numerous lakes: Bone Pond, Lake Lorain, Independent Lake, and more
• Popular for fishing, hiking, and nature retreats
• Many homes are nestled in wooded areas or near spring-fed lakes

🏛️ Governance & Services

• Governed by a Board of Supervisors, with monthly meetings on the first Thursday
• Planning Commission meets on the second Wednesday
• Offers services like road maintenance, code enforcement, and short-term rental regulation
• Township Building: 1515 Crosstown Hwy, Lakewood, PA

🕰️ Historical Highlights

• Settled around 1812, incorporated in 1828
• Named after Judge Samuel Preston, Wayne County’s first associate judge
• Early settlers included the Spencer brothers from Connecticut and Revolutionary War veterans
• Once home to villages like Tallmansville and Little York, with early sawmills and taverns
• The township helped give rise to the Lackawanna and Lackawaxen Rivers, both originating from its lakes