Oreland

Located just outside Philadelphia, Oreland is a primarily residential community with established streets, a varied mix of homes and a strong local identity. It is close to Flourtown, Glenside and Chestnut Hill, while many of its interior neighborhoods feel removed from the busier commercial corridors nearby.

Oreland does not have one large downtown or shopping district. Its character comes from the neighborhoods themselves, the train station, outdoor spaces shaped by the area’s quarrying past and local traditions that continue to bring the community together.

Oreland at a Glance

Township boundaries: Oreland crosses two municipalities. Part of the community lies within Springfield Township, while the eastern section extends into Upper Dublin Township and is commonly called East Oreland. The mailing address alone does not determine the township. Municipal services, property taxes and school assignments depend on the property’s actual location, so buyers should verify each address.

Homes and neighborhoods: Oreland does not have one dominant housing style. Cape Cods, Colonials and ranch homes are found throughout the community, with split-levels common in some sections. Other areas include twins, duplexes and small apartment buildings. Many homes date to the first half of the twentieth century or the years after World War II, so layouts and levels of renovation vary from one property to the next.

Parks and outdoor spaces: Sandy Run Park occupies the site of the former Cascetti Quarry, which filled with water after mining ended in 1958. The quarry is surrounded by a walking path and is open for fishing, although swimming, boating and ice skating are not permitted. Nearby Piszek Preserve follows Sandy Run through portions of Upper Dublin and Springfield Townships and offers an easy hard-surface trail that is stroller-friendly, allows bicycles, and permits leashed dogs. The preserve sits beside the historic Emlen House, an 18th-century estate used by George Washington as winter quarters.

Schools: Homes in Springfield Township are served by the School District of Springfield Township. Students attend Enfield Elementary for kindergarten through second grade, Erdenheim Elementary for grades three through five, Springfield Middle School for grades six through eight and Springfield Township High School for grades nine through twelve. Homes in Upper Dublin Township are served by the Upper Dublin School District, where elementary assignments can vary by address. Buyers should confirm the assigned schools directly with the appropriate district.

Oreland’s History

Oreland’s early history begins with lime. In 1686, Thomas Fitzwater discovered lime deposits on his land and built a kiln. Mining and quarrying became important local industries, and the area’s lime and ore deposits helped give Oreland its name.

Limekiln Pike grew directly from that industry. By 1693, the lime operation had attracted William Penn’s attention, and Penn ordered a highway built from the Delaware River port to the kiln. That route became Limekiln Pike, now Route 152, and remains one of the clearest links between present-day Oreland and its early industrial history.

The quarry at today’s Sandy Run Park flooded in 1958 after a snowstorm knocked out power and the pumps stopped. The U.S. Navy later acquired the site and used the deep water for underwater sonar testing; it became known as the U.S. Navy Deep Water Facility. Springfield Township accepted ownership of the 14-acre property from the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1999 and opened it as public parkland. This history has been documented in local historical accounts and the Springfield Township Historical Collection.

The railroad later shaped Oreland’s residential growth. Homes and small businesses developed around Oreland Station, helping form the village pattern that remains visible near the station today. Oreland Station continues to serve SEPTA’s Lansdale/Doylestown Line with Regional Rail service toward Center City, Lansdale and Doylestown. SEPTA Route 95 also connects at the station.

Community Traditions

The Oreland Volunteer Fire Company was established in 1908 and has long been part of local civic life. According to the company’s history, Oreland’s first Fourth of July parade was held in 1921. The parade continues today, hosted by the Oreland Lions Club, which has organized it since the club was chartered in 1950.

Another tradition appears each December on the 100 block of Garth Road, when residents turn the street into Candy Cane Lane. The display began in the early 2000s and has grown into a familiar holiday stop, complete with oversized lighted candy canes, a street sign and a mailbox for letters to Santa. Traditions like these help give Oreland an identity of its own within the larger townships around it.

Your Local Oreland Real Estate Resource

Oreland offers established neighborhoods, Regional Rail access, parks and longstanding local traditions. Because the community crosses a township line, however, two homes with Oreland addresses can differ in school district, municipal services and property taxes. That boundary distinction is one of the most important things for buyers to understand when comparing properties here.

Dan Helwig, Inc. REALTORS® has served Springfield Township and the surrounding communities since 1976. Our local experience can help buyers and sellers understand the differences between Oreland properties, including township boundaries, school assignments, housing types and location within the community.

If you’re searching for homes for sale in Oreland, PA, or preparing to sell a home here, contact our office to speak with a local real estate professional.