Community Profile: Lemont — Mount Nittany, The Granary and Strawberries

If you’re deep in the shadow of Mount Nittany, you may well be in the village of Lemont.

The eastern edge of the small village is essentially on the southwest end of Mount Nittany and the surrounding terrain is quite hilly.

More than a few hardy folks in Centre County have hiked up the steep precipice from the trailhead in Lemont at one time or another and taken in the great views of the valley offered by the popular Mike Lynch Overlook.

The prominent large ovals of Beaver Stadium and the Bryce Jordan Center stand out with the birds-eye view.

“We’re proud to be here in the shadow of Mount Nittany, with the trailhead leading up it just off of Mount Nittany Road,” exclaims Cathy Cohan, a resident of the village and vice chair of the Lemont Village Association (LVA). “We’re also very proud of the Granary and of the character that brings, along with the Victorian homes here. They give the community a sense of history and richness and stability.”

The Lemont Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The village was named by John I. Thompson, the son of the man who founded it in 1870, Moses Thompson. John called it Le Mont to signify its location at the base of the mountain. The name was quickly condensed to Lemont and the village became something of a transportation center for the area after a section of railroad track connected it to an existing line.

The LVA that Cohan is associated with is a group of residents who sponsor activities that promote community and raise funds for the ongoing maintenance of the John I. Thompson Grain Elevator and Coal Sheds, otherwise known as The Granary, she said. The Granary was built in 1885 and is the only remaining granary in the state.

Today, the Granary is between Lemont Village Green and Lemont’s post office. The greenspace has picnic tables and it’s the spot for Lemont’s popular Concerts on the Village Green held every Friday night, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., through Aug. 28.

“We’ve gone to Village Green concerts with our kids — they’re running around or dancing, the adults are listening to the music — it really is like Mayberry RFD,” says Cohan. “There’s a nice sense of community in Lemont. It’s a place where people get to know their neighbors. It’s not impersonal here, it’s an inviting place. A great place for families.”

Lemont’s biggest celebration, according to Cohan, is The Lemont Strawberry Festival in June, which has been going on for more than 30 years. It was held again on June 20.

Lemont will try something new in July. The inaugural Lemont Fest will take place at the Granary and on the Village Green for three days beginning on July 10. There will be a juried art show, live music, food and drink. Local family-owned businesses will be offering wares from tables set up inside the grain elevator of the Granary.

“We hope as many people who can come do so and we’re hoping it will provide more opportunity for people to gather in Lemont,” says Cohan. “It is going to have local artists and craftspeople and local musicians.”

Lemont is just a few miles northeast of downtown State College on the far side of Mount Nittany Expressway (U.S. Route 322), part of College Township. Its central nexus is at the intersection of Pike and Elmwood Streets where there is a two-block stretch of businesses including Kamrai Thai & Sushi House restaurant, Dolce Vita Desserts, The Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, The Gallery Shop and Mayes Memorials. A number of businesses are in what’s commonly called the old Lemont House, including Café Lemont, BellaDonna Herbs and Center for Well Being, a yoga and massage studio.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Lemont CDP has a total area of about one-and-a-quarter square miles. The village has a little more than 2,000 residents.

Cohan has an invitation to folks intrigued by Lemont. “Just drive over here, have a cup of coffee at the café, sit on the porch and watch people walk or drive by. It’s more relaxed than downtown State College.”