A single Amish settlement is found in northeastern Mississippi
The Deep South is home to only one Amish settlement today, located near Randolph in Pontotoc County, Mississippi. The Randolph Amish settlement is a conservative Swartzentruber community, marked by highly limited technology and a very plain lifestyle.
Historically, Amish have only occasionally settled in the Deep South region. This would include a few other communities in Mississippi, as well as Alabama and Georgia.
Read more about the Deep South’s only existing Amish community in the new Amish State Guide entry on Mississippi Amish.
Photo Credit: Erin Tracy Photography; erintracy.com
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13 responses to Amish in Mississippi
Just curious; Is Florida not considered part of the deep south?
Deep South Amish settlements
Good question Karen, there are different definitions. Parts of other states such as FL and TX are sometimes attached to the Deep South, but I’m going with a stricter definition of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, (and perhaps SC).
The Amish settlements in Florida (Pinecraft Sarasota), and Texas (Bee County) probably wouldn’t be included even in the expanded definition of the Deep South taking in East Texas and Northern Florida. Probably you could make a case for at least parts of other southern states to be included, ie Tennessee, but I decided to go with the “deeper” Deep South definition here
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Amish in Mississippi
While up visiting Oxford, MS last summer, we decided to visit the Amish community in Randolph (it is southeast of Oxford). It is a very small community, if you blink, you will miss it. That area of Mississippi is very pretty, I can see why they would settle there.
One of the main reasons there are not more Amish in the deep south is because of farming with horses. It is just too hard on horses.
i had gone to the amish community in the state of ga in 1995. there was only a few familys who had moved there from tenn. most of the reason was farmland at a pretty reasonable price, yet it only lasted maybe a year or two. everyone went back to tenn, which must have been a ego killer for those amish. i would consider florida to be the deep south, but thats me………. richard in the amish community of lebanon,pa
Amish in Mississippi
Katie, interesting point. In one of the accounts in Luthy’s book, he mentions that Amish arrivals to Mississippi must have caused a sight with their horses, rather than mules which apparently were more common in the area. Mules are tough guys.
Here is an interesting article on mules in the South: http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/south/publish/missfolk/mfcurris/runmule.html
Richard that is interesting, I do not know a lot about that recent community in Georgia. Florida is an interesting state, I think you have more traditionally “southern parts” ie the panhandle but you have also had a lot of in-migration from the North.
You’re pretty right on Erik ! From the Big Bend Area south to Key West – FL is a salad bowl of races and cultures. We are very diverse here in the Sunshine State.
Right now its Cold going down to the 20′s bbbrrrr.
hey erik…… the amish community in ga was located in uvalda ga. i have a picture of an amish buggy that i had taken while i was there in 1995, i just have to find it. i had met with a family there because i was looking at that time to buy amish made crafts for a small sideline busines that i had at that time. i heard about it while reading the budget, so i drove there while i lived in florida. i think i stopped selling amish crafts around the same time that amish community failed.it lasted only a few years. thats my amish story regarding the uvalda ga settlement………… richard
Amish in Mississippi
Katie, I live in south MS and it’s true the weather is hard on the horses. It’s hard on anything (or anybody) for that matter! My neighbor farms with drafts and has to to be careful to let them rest often in the heat of summer. But they do very well!
Richard that is interesting, I do not know a lot about that recent community in Georgia. Florida is an interesting state, I think you have more traditionally “southern parts” ie the panhandle but you have also had a lot of in-migration from the North.
You’re pretty right on Erik ! From the Big Bend Area south to Key West – FL is a salad bowl of races and cultures. We are very diverse here in the Sunshine State. Right now its Cold going down to the 20′s bbbrrrr.
Living by the amish
I live 3 miles from the Amish,as they ride up& down the road in the
horse& buggy, it always makes me smile, to see the family of many kids. I also drive slow, when coming close to the house of the Amish, to see the clothes hanging on a line,& the men working the garden, the kids playing in the yards. Makes living a simple life look so relaxing& tiring at the same time. They also make really good pies,& sell cheap home grown foods. Good for people like me who don’t have a green thumb.
Amish in Mississippi
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