Amish in Michigan: 2024 Guide (50+ Communities)
Michigan is home to the sixth-largest Amish population. The state has a long history of Amish settlement, with the first Amish settling in the Great Lakes State in 1895. Today (2024) the Michigan Amish population numbers over 18,000 people.
Michigan’s 146 Amish church districts are scattered across 52 distinct settlements, from Hillsdale and Branch Counties in the south, to several locations in the Upper Peninsula.
Amish Communities in Michigan
- Centreville, St. Joseph County – The Centreville community is the oldest and largest in the state. Around 2,000 Amish live here.
- Quincy – Quincy is a Swiss Amish settlement of over 700 people.
- Osceola County – Six separate Amish communities lie within Osceola County’s borders.
- Branch County – Branch County is home to two of the state’s largest Amish communities.
- Hillsdale County – Home to several settlements, including at Camden.
- Clare (Clare County) – One of the state’s larger Amish communities.
- Mio, Oscoda County – Mio is today home to a small settlement, and once was home to a community that lasted 50 years.
- The “Michigan Circle” Amish Churches – This unique group of Reformist Amish churches was founded in Michigan.
- Upper Peninsula – Several Amish communities are found in Michigan’s U.P.
- Other Michigan Amish Communities – The Wolverine State is home to over 50 Amish settlements, including many small and relatively young communities.
The Centreville Amish settlement – Michigan’s oldest and largest
The Amish community at Centreville in St. Joseph County (founded 1910) is the oldest and largest in Michigan.
Consisting of 16 church districts (roughly 2,000 individuals), this settlement has existed for well over 100 years. The Centreville Amish community was founded by families from the Swiss Amish communities in Adams and Allen counties in Indiana.
The Swiss Amish, an Old Order ethnic subgroup, are distinct from Pennsylvania German-ethnicity Amish.
Swiss Amish speak a different German dialect, are typically more conservative when it comes to technology, and tend to marry only within Swiss circles. Many Swiss Amish also practice yodeling, permit only open-top carriages, and mark graves with wooden stakes rather than gravestones.
Later, these Swiss settlers to Centreville were joined by PA German-ethnicity Amish from Lagrange County to the south. Today’s community is comprised of descendants from these two distinct Amish ethnic groups.
Centreville Amish Today
Today, Centreville has ties with the much larger Amish settlement at LaGrange and Elkhart Counties, just south of the border in Indiana. Churches in the two communities are in fellowship with one another. Amishmen from the Centreville community travel daily to work in the region’s RV factories, returning home to Michigan at the end of their shifts.
With increasing ties to the world has also come increasing technological change. Karen Johnson-Weiner notes this change in Train Up a Child: Old Order Amish and Mennonite Schools. Amish in the Centreville community have accepted phones to a greater degree, allowing them in phone booths and in some businesses. Additionally, bicycles have been allowed in some church districts, as well as rubber tires on large wagons.
Johnson-Weiner notes further ties in education between the two communities, with female teachers from Centreville teaching and living in the Elkhart/LaGrange settlement, and returning home for the weekend.
Centreville Amish, in addition to working in the RV factories to the south, contribute to Michigan’s economy as well. Some Centerville Amish operate dairy farms. Others run small businesses such as furniture, fabric, and vinyl shops (read more about Michigan Amish furniture businesses). As the largest Amish settlement in Michigan, Centreville also has a modest tourist industry.
Branch County: Home to Three Amish Settlements
Branch County in southern Michigan is home to three distinct Amish settlements, including two of the state’s largest, making it one of the most heavily-Amish-settled parts of Michigan. Amish communities can be found at Quincy (1977, 710 Amish), Bronson (1971, 1 district), Reading/Hillsdale (1979, 2 districts), Coldwater/Kinderhook (2004, 250 Amish), and in California Township (1960, 1,600 Amish). The California Township group is the second-largest community in the state – a very plain settlement known as Swartzentruber Amish.
One of the settlements, that of Quincy, is a Swiss Amish settlement, founded by Amish from Norfolk, New York (with roots in the large Swiss Amish community in Allen County, Indiana).
Another nearby community lying in Hillsdale County in fact has some members in Branch County as well. Hillsdale County for its part has an additional three Amish communities, at Osseo and Pittsford (1997, 95 Amish), and the Swiss-roots settlement at Camden (1956, 655 Amish), and North Adams/Jerome (2010, 125 Amish).
Osceola County: More Amish Settlements Than Any Other Michigan County
Since 1989, Osceola County has attracted numerous Amish communities. The Amish must like something about this county, because a total of six separate Amish settlements exist there today. They can be found at:
- Evart (1989, 130 Amish)
- Marion (1995, 185 Amish)
- LeRoy (2000, 170 Amish)
- Hersey (2003, 70 Amish)
- Tustin (2012, 115 Amish)
- Reed City (2013, 85 Amish)
It is not uncommon for one area to attract multiple Amish groups over the years. If the initial group prospers, it shows other Amish people that the area may be a good one for settlement. This can be due to a number of factors – inexpensive farmland, good relations with non-Amish neighbors, viable markets for their products, and so on.
Clare County
Clare County is home to several Amish settlements, including one of Michigan’s largest. The main settlement, found near the town of Clare, numbers over 1,000 Amish (founded 1980). A second, smaller settlement lies near Harrison (2014, 170 Amish). A third, larger community lies partially in Clare County and in neighboring Gladwin County.
Clare has been the site of previous editions of Horse Progress Days, a horse-drawn equipment showcase which draws Amish people from around the nation.
Mio, site of present and past Amish settlement
One of the older Michigan Amish settlements is found at Mio in Oscoda County. This community of three church districts was founded in 1970. However, Amish had previously lived at Mio for over half a century. The original Amish community at Mio was founded in 1900 by Amish from Geauga County, Ohio.
These pioneer farmers to the region settled on land formerly covered by thick forests. Amish historian David Luthy notes that local land agents attracted both Old Order Amish and more progressive Amish-Mennonites to the region through advertisements in the widely-read Sugarcreek Budget newspaper. Luthy states that their efforts met with great success: “Few, if any settlements grew as rapidly as did the one in Oscoda County” (Settlements that Failed, Luthy, p184).
Mio did in fact grow quickly, with over fifty Old Order Amish families arriving in the first five years, attracted by the inexpensive, unimproved land. To begin farming in this region, farmers had to clear their acres of the many stumps that remained from logging. But those that did were rewarded, and the inexpensive land prices ($2-5/acre) tempted many to migrate to this heretofore little-settled area of north-central Michigan.
As Mio is located in the upper latitudes of Michigan, the settlement’s farmers dealt with a shorter growing season. However, Amish settlers saw positives in the extreme winters, Luthy reports. The Mio Amish “preferred this to the constant thawing as was the case in more southern parts of the state. They felt their winter was healthier and nicer, and they enjoyed using a sleigh instead of a buggy” (Settlements that Failed, Luthy, p185). Mio Amish farmers prospered, enjoying bumper crops on the formerly wooded Oscoda County land. Amish raised clover, hay, peas, corn, potatoes, buckwheat, and other crops.
Eventually, the Old Order community began to go into decline. Part of the reason was that Old Order church members began joining the more progressive Amish-Mennonite congregation which had originally accompanied them to the region.
As the competing Mennonite church grew, Old Order Amish moved away or adopted more technological innovations, such as tractors. The Mio community went extinct as an Old Order Amish settlement with the death of the last remaining bishop in 1954.
Sixteen years later, a new group of Amish would settle here, founding what is today Michigan’s fourth-oldest Amish community. These settlers, coincidentally, also came from Geauga County, Ohio, and later included Amish from northern Indiana. The present-day Mio community has not seen the same rapid growth of the original one, but has steadily climbed to a population of 585 individuals after 54 years of existence.
The “Michigan Circle” Amish Churches
The Mio area is notable for another reason. This Amish settlement served as the source of an “Amish reformist” movement, beginning in the 1980s, which has grown to include nearly three dozen communities, both within Michigan an in other states.
The Michigan Circle, also known as the Michigan Amish Fellowship, was led by an Amishman named Omar Miller who wished to “establish the Anabaptist vision of a scriptural church promoting true spirituality.” In practice this meant a group of like-minded churches focused on evangelizing and starting up new communities (rather than simply growing a community larger and larger).
The group emphasizes a special understanding of the “new birth”, and believes in “clean” church practices, including clean courtship, and a ban on alcohol and tobacco use. And unlike most Amish churches, the Michigan Circle communities hope to attract “seekers” – outsiders interested in joining the Amish.
Today the circle includes approximately 18 Amish communities in Michigan, and over a dozen more in other states, including Maine, Kentucky, and Montana. Read more about the Michigan Circle Amish, including location maps.
Amish in the Upper Peninsula
Since 2008, an Amish settlement has existed in Mackinac County in the Upper Peninsula. Later, Amish settled in Chippewa County in the Sault Ste. Marie area (2015), followed by a community at Cornell in Delta County (2019). Today these three are the only Amish communities in the U.P. These settlements are all still a relatively small size.
Interestingly, another Amish settlement existed briefly in the Upper Peninsula, at Newberry in Luce County. This was a very short-lived settlement, lasting only three years (1897-1900).
David Luthy, in The Amish in America: Settlements that Failed 1840-1960 gives the history of this settlement. Amish settlers from Ohio founded this settlement in the waning years of the 19th century. One challenge Amish settlers encountered was the particularly harsh northern Michigan climate.
Luthy cites a letter from an early Amish settler who “mentioned that they hadn’t seen any ground since November 22nd and that presently in April there were eighteen inches of snow yet covering the ground” (Settlements that Failed, Luthy, p182).
Since a common reason for Amish migration is a need for suitable farmland, harsher climates can challenge unestablished, fledgling Amish settlements. The letter-writer also noted that the growing season was significantly shorter than that in Ohio.
A total of six Amish families settled this rugged area, with the last settler eventually moving to the new settlement at Mio in southern Michigan’s Oscoda County in 1900.
The modern-day Amish settlers to the Upper Peninsula no doubt face similar climate challenges as did the Luce County group over a century ago. But those Amish who have ventured to settle in the peninsula over the past decade-plus have been able to make a viable living – and the Amish presence in Michigan’s U.P. region has steadily grown since 2008.
Other Michigan Amish settlements
Besides those mentioned above, these are the remaining larger Amish communities in Michigan:
- The Stanwood/Morley area of Mecosta County (1982, 1,035 Amish)
- Two in Gladwin County (Beaverton/Gladwin area – 1979, 1,015 Amish and North Gladwin – 1980, 565 Amish)
- Charlotte/Vermontville in Eaton County (1977, 475 Amish)
- Marlette/Brown City in Sanilac County (1987, 650 Amish)
- Six Lakes/Greenville in Montcalm County (1973, 535 Amish)
- Hastings in Barry County (2006, 415 Amish)
- Cass City area in three counties – Huron, Sanilac & Tuscola (1993, 905 Amish)
- Blanchard in Isabella County (1983, 850 Amish)
In addition to these, across Michigan you’ll also find numerous settlements founded in recent years, numbering anywhere from a handful of families to several hundred individuals. Find a full list of Michigan Amish communities here.
A state of numerous failed Amish settlements
For various reasons, Michigan has been a state that has attracted Amish settlement. At the same time, numerous Amish settlements in Michigan have failed. Despite its significant Amish population today, Michigan ranks as the state with the highest number of extinct Amish settlements, with at least 14 in its history.
In addition to the extinct settlements at Mio and Luce County in the Upper Peninsula, Amish settlements have arisen only to later disappear at Spruce in Alpena County (1905-1922); White Cloud in Newaygo County (1895-1935); West Branch in Ogemaw County (1908-1942); and Hope in Midland County (1909-1930).
Michigan Amish settlements have failed in recent years as well, with several going extinct since 2000, including at Hale in Iosco County (1978-2007; a separate Amish settlement was founded here in 2006); Elsie and Ovid in Shiawassee and Clinton Counties (1987-2004); Coral in Montcalm County (1991-2008); and Vestaburg in Montcalm County (1993-2006).
Michigan Amish Continue To Thrive
Despite its history of failed settlements, Michigan remains a state with a significant Amish population. While not nearly as large as that of neighboring Indiana or Ohio, Michigan’s Amish population still ranks as one of the country’s largest, at over 18,000 Amish people.
Michigan has also attracted new Amish settlement, with a dozen new communities being added in the past decade (see Young Center Amish Studies’ Growth of Amish Settlements and Districts, 2014-2023).
For more information, see:
- Amish in Michigan, Gertrude Enders Huntington
- The New American Almanac, Raber’s Bookstore (Baltic, Ohio), Ben J. Raber
- “Amish Population, 2023” Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College
- “Amish Population in the United States by State, County, and Settlement, 2023” – compiled by Edsel Burdge, Joseph F. Donnermeyer, and Adam Hershberger
- The Amish in America: Settlements that Failed, 1840-1960, David Luthy
- Train Up a Child: Old Order Amish and Mennonite Schools, Karen Johnson-Weiner
- Plain Diversity: Amish Cultures and Identities, Steven M. Nolt and Thomas J. Meyers
Michigan Amish on the Amish America blog
The Amish in Michigan have been covered on numerous occasions on the Amish America blog. In 2008 a reader shared a dozen photos of a Montcalm County, MI Amish settlement. Each year a horse and carriage auction takes place, and is highly attended by the area’s Amish, at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. A man raised Amish in Michigan discussed Amish life in one news piece.
Michigan Amish Tourism and Business-Looking for a Michigan Amish business? A listing of Amish businesses and tourist information for visitors to the Michigan Amish communities mentioned above.
Great article and bodes well for the whole series! As a Michigan resident, I found this a fascinating article and coincides with my own limited experience with the Amish of our state. Thanks!
Appreciate that Kevin! For me the State Guide is a great chance to explore Amish settlements outside of the best-known ones in PA, OH, and Indiana (but will be covering those too, of course).
I have covered Amish communities from time to time on the blog, including ones in Michigan. But I’m looking forward to having a comprehensive guide to Amish communities in all states, all in one place.
First batch of states coming soon!
Amish in Engadine, Mackinac County, Michigan
I wanted to comment on the article about the new Amish Settlement in Engadine, MI. I’ve gotten to know quite a few of the Amish here in Mackinac County. 99% of them are very honest, hardworking people. I would like to warn others that just like any other group of folks, there can be a bad apple in every bunch. There is one particular Amish person who installs metal roofing. I would like to caution everyone that just because they are “Amish” does not always mean that they are honest. (This is very sad to say, because as I stated above, 99% of them are just that!) I was a victim of this ‘roofer’, never double checking, because I wanted to believe that they are all honest & are not the type to take advantage of anyone, but it is not so with this particular ‘roofer’! So PLEASE, BUYER BEWARE! If the chance exists for this ‘roofer’ to take advantage of you, you can BE SURE that he will! Other than this one ‘Bad Apple’, I have to say that all the rest of the Amish folks in this new community are very honest, hard working & VERY HELPFUL to their fellow man. If it were possible to ‘become’ Amish, I would in a heartbeat! After metting & becoming friends with many in the little communtiy, I’ve found that their religious beliefs make more sense to me than any other ‘religion’ that I’ve been able to find in out ‘English’ world throughout my lifetime! I completely enjoy their friendshihp & learning the more ‘natural’ ways they have of doing many types of things. GREAT PEOPLE! So if you happen to come face to face with any Amish, PLEASE don’t stare or be rude, like a LOT of people can be! They are people with feelings just like us & don’t enjoy being stared at or made fun of, which I’ve seen happen on numerous occasions when I’ve taken them shopping in some of our bigger cities. (For instance, to Walmart in the Soo at Christmas time). I was embarrassed that I was a member of a race “the English” as the Amish refer to us, that was so blatantly rude & obnoxious!
Amish construction.
I live near several Amish communities here in South Central Michigan… Yes, Every one I have had contact with and done business with are very nice people.. That said, Like one of my neighbor’s said a couple years ago, He hired an Amish contractor once.. “Just because They are Amish doesn’t mean they are good carpenters / builders. Being Amish also doesn’t mean they know which end of a Tape Measure is used to drive a nail with…..”
Address request
Hi please can I have exactly address, I interest to visit Amish community
Thank you
House siding
Looking for a quote to side my house in Hersey MI. Please contact me
Amish in Mackinac County
Sarah,
I’m taking a group of friends fishing in Hessel, Michigan next week. There are 4 older amish teenagers that wanted to make contact with the amish community up there in Mackinac. One time when driving between St. Ignace and Soo there was road construction and the detour sent us down a road that was being traveled by several amish buggies. It was sunday so I assume they would not have been ranging to far from home. The only amish families I can find are near Engadine. Are there any families / settlements farther east? It seems hard for me to believe the detour took me all the way west to Engadine. Thank you. Mike
I’m looking for A log business in Colon Michigan and I can’t seem to find it??
Please help!
Sofits facia siding
I’m 65 single woman. I had a contractor for all outdoor repairs but he left a message Memorial Day that he was backing out. I’ve been looking and getting estimates from local contractors that are beyond my budget. I live in Escanaba, can provide transportation and meals etc. My sofits are rotting they’re made of wood. My mailman suggested I contact the Amish.
He said on Thursdays they have a bakery and greenhouse in Cornell near the Rusty Rail. If this info is correct I would type up a letter explaining what I need done and given it to the members to pass on
I don’t know how else I can contact them. Thank you sommuch for your help. 906-280-1688 my phone. Emai is franklin56@charter.net
Thanks for this very informative article! I’m also from MI and I really enjoyed seeing something about the Amish in my state. I looked for the Amish community closer to us but didn’t see them listed – we board our dairy cow with an Amish family in Osceola county. There are also a number of Amish families (but I’m not sure how many) in Wexford county near my mother-in-law’s house.
Really enjoy the blog and the Amish State Guide is a great addition!
Amish in Osceola County, Michigan
Thank you Kristen, I do appreciate it. You are right of course that there are Amish in Osceola County.
In fact, there are 4 separate settlements in Osceola County, most of them just a single church district (LeRoy, Hersey, Evart/Sears, and also at Marion-2 districts). I do not know what affiliation those groups are, unfortunately.
And the Wexford County settlement you mention is 2 districts.
Michigan has been a ripe area for settlement by Amish, so you do see these smaller communities across the state.
Michigan Amish
I once received giant whole chickens/turkeys via my cousin who lived in Big Rapids. She is no longer available……I don’t know where she got them, but I know it was from an Amish community probably fairly close by. Does anyone know where that might have been? I would travel from the Detroit suburbs just to be able to get those wonderful birds. Thanks
Amish Turkeys & Chickens
There are quite a few Amish near Big Rapids. although I live in the U.P. I have been down State to some of these places (I have some close friends in the Amish Community) There is a settlement in Stanwood, Lakeview, Six Lakes amoung others. I will contact an Amish friend there. How many are you looking for? (Turkey’s & Chickens?) I can eventually get you intouch with some Amish nearby you that you can probably get them from in the future….
The very next exit south of Big Rapids is 8 mile Stanwood Exit 131 right at the Nestle Water Plant Factory. You will immediately find over a hundred Amish farms right there in that whole vacinity that sells produce, meat, buildings, tack and all other wares.
amish in michigan
The Amish groups u mentioned in the Marion area are typical old order Amish I think most of them migrated from Ohio and Indiana also other area in Michigan I last heard they have 3 districts and are looking for a new are to start a sister group to any one looking to vist a large settlement in Michigan I would suggeust visiting the Clare / loomis area their are 8 church districts in that area and 3 different sect one of which is Swartentruber the other is old order amish the 3rd group actually a sub group called “Amish- Mennonites they are more progress form of Amish they use tractors for farming and have indoor plumbing and but still do not allow cars or electric the Amish in that area body year quilt auctions and also livestock and draft horse auction which draw large crowds
Great information article. I am very interested to read about the different Amish groups in the different states. I’m from Florida and know there are some Amish in Sarasota.
Thank you Theresa. You are right there is an Amish community in Sarasota called Pinecraft. Many of these Amish are retirees or vacationers, and Amish here do not drive buggies, in favor of large tricycles. I will cover this community when I release the Florida Amish state guide (coming up soon).
Florida will be sounding especially good in a couple of months (especially if you happen to live in a state like Michigan!)
Erik, just a thought, ever think about adding small maps to the different amish settlements that you talk about. It would be nice if you could identify more clearly with the area, maybe on a small map of the state. I’m familiar with the Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania amish areas, but the others, not some much until I google the area. Thanks, we really enjoy your site. Just a thought…
Hey Marie, great thought on the more detailed map for each state. It crossed my mind as well and it is definitely a possibility.
I’d need to figure out the best way to do it to do it justice. I am first going to get the State Guide out in full but will continue to work on tweaking it, so this may well find its way into version 2.0 🙂
Thanks a lot for the comment by the way, I love to hear feedback like this!
Revisiting the Michigan section I thought I would let you know that another good reference for Michigan is a small book published by Michigan State University called “Amish in Michigan” by Gertrude Huntington. Its part of their “Discovering the people of Michigan” series.
Hey Kevin, whoops, thanks for reminding me about that one, I did leave it out. I have included it in the resource list.
Amish auction and Flea Market in Clare
Hey Erik: I would like to tell you that every year i go with my wife to the Amish flea market in Clare michigan. And it is a great place to go, and if you go on Sat just make sure that you come early or you wont be able to find a parking place. I am from Texas but have been living in Michigan for the last 12 years. And every year i look forward to going to Clare for the Auction and Flea Market.
the amish are a great bunch of people.
thanks rick from bay city michigan
Clare MI Amish
Thanks for stopping by and sharing that Rick. It confirms my impression that people like visiting the Amish at Clare and the various events that are held there. Next time I’m visiting Amish in that part of the country I’ll need to think about going up to Clare.
The Amish have moved to my road in Harrison, MI
I need to be educated as to some of the things they are doing that if I were to do, I would be turned in to the county. Fences are built too close to the road. Outhouses and chimneys sticking out of windows. Horses tied to trees on the road. Not trying to cause problems, just want to know what they can and cannot do.
Amish Rules
You should contact someone at your township. They are required to abide by the same laws we are, when it comes to things like you mentioned. The State of Michigan has quide lines also, which I would imagine you could find on Michigan.gov
I tried the road commission and the township. They are afraid of him. Seems it is just the property owner himself that is the problem. If he infringes on my property then I will have to treat him just like any other person that has no respect for other people.
Yoder's Quilt Auction and Flea Market
Rick, you may be interested in this article about a shuttle for Yoder’s Quilt Auction & Flea Market in Clare, Michigan. “Clare Transit to offer all day rides during Amish auction.”
http://www.themorningsun.com/general-news/20140512/clare-transit-to-offer-all-day-rides-during-amish-auction
Amish
I am from Texas as well. My wife & I are looking to relocate to Michigan next summer. You are right, the Amish are a wonderful group of people! We look forward to those flea markets/auctions as well as meeting some Amish up there.
Hi Erik,
Under the communities that failed you have Vestaburg, MI on there as a failed community. I have 2 penpals that live in Vestaburg/Riverdale, MI and there are about 5 or 6 families in their church district. A few from our church have also moved from there in recent years. I wasn’t sure if I read it wrong or not but just to clear things up there are Amish in Vestaburg, MI. Sorry if I’m just “nit-picking” here I’m not trying to be a bother I promise! Kate
Amish at Vestaburg, Michigan
Sure thing Kate, thanks for mentioning it. This is actually just another case of two separate settlements existing at different times in the same area. You see that occasionally, there is a community in upstate New York with a similar story.
The current one you mention also located at Vestaburg was founded the year after (2007) the one I mention went extinct. I believe this is just a single church district, but don’t know much about what affiliation this group is (but maybe you do)?
Oh ok I get what you’re saying. They’re considered 2 separate churches because at one point there was no Amish there, right? That would make sense. As for their affiliation they’re Old Order Amish. As far as I know there are 5 or 6 families there and they just had enough pupils for a school. Small but growing 🙂 Thanks for such a quick response!
Kate
Are any the Amish in any of these communities trying to earn money by breeding dogs?
Amish Breeding Dogs
If they are, I would think twice before buying a puppy. (I live near & know the Amish in the U.P. pretty well) They do not vaccinate their dogs nor take them to a vet. Their idea of castration is a rubber band. If you are really interested in a puppy, I would definitely take said puppy for a vet exam & tests BEFORE buying. This is not meant to be negative, just reasonable. I have worked with dogs for 35+ years (as a Vet Tech) & I would not want a puppy with any type of disease, genetic defect, not to mention Distemper, Parvo, etc, etc. There are a few Amish who treat their dogs as pets, but most are not treated that well. I’ve seen Amish owned dogs with broken legs dangling, which were never treated & never put out of it’s misery
I had the opportunity last weekend to visit Amish relatives in a settlement near McBain, MI (SE of Cadillac). I understood there are two church districts there. Then we came home via the New Order Amish settlement in Rosebush (in Isabella Co., where I have another cousin.
I was wondering how i would find some amish pen pals….i use ti have some, but moved and no longer have there address..denki
I recently met an Amish family from Mio, Michigan while waiting in the University of Michigan Hospital. A member of each of our families was having surgery. We sat and talked, laughed and learned a little bit about each of our lives. We did not even exchange names and for that I feel so badly. A young married Amish girl was in a mini van that was rear ended and she was seriously injured. She lost the baby that she was carrying. This beautiful, gentle family truly touched my heart. I am sorry I didn’t find out more information about them…I would so much like to help…..it has been a hugh expense for them to travel and stay 185 miles from their home…..this was an experience I will never forget….
Comment for Jan Schmidt
This is in reply to Jan Schmidt on the accident of the young woman. I come from that area and know the lady that got hurt. she is confined to a wheelchair and is paralyzed for life.
friend
The lady u talk about . What made u speak of her an how close are u with the family .an how life treat her as her family.
Amish Accident
In August of 2011 we were in a horrible car accident near Ann Arbor. It was a chain reaction of several rear end collisions. One of the vans that got hit from behind was filled with Amish women. This young woman hopefully wasn’t in that accident. There were 8 ambulances needed for this accident.
Wanting to help...
This is for Mary Fred…you wrote of the young woman that was badly hurt in a van accident and is now in a whell chair. Is there anything I can do to help her? please let me know…Peddlepusher214@aol.com =))
Central Michigan population
Hello!
I am trying to research the population of Amish in Central Michigan. Can anyone point me in the right direction or help? Thanks!
How to estimate Amish populations
Hi Leah, there is a guide called Raber’s Almanac which lists Amish settlements fairly comprehensively, including the number of church districts (it’s not complete, but fairly close). Using Raber’s and an average number of congregants per district you’d be able to figure out an estimate. You’d need to pinpoint what groups you are specifically talking about first of course.
Here’s a post on Raber’s, including info on how to order it in the comments section: https://amishamerica.com/rabers-amish-almanac/
Hope that helps!
looking forward to the state guide on Amish communities! I have visited the Amish in MN, Iowa,and PA. Will be visiting the Amish community in CO. Would love to visit the Amish in Indiana sometime as this is where my husband is from. I also would love to have an Amish pen-pal if you can help me out Erik.
Bulk Groceries
I am looking for some Amish bulk grocery/markets in the Thumb area? Is there a list somewhere for that?
Bulk Store in Thumb
Angela, You can find Country View Bulk Foods operated by Mennonites just north of Marlette area, it is located on Germania Rd. off M-53 north of Marlette. They have expanded from their backyard to a large newly built store and I highly recommend the raspberry pie, but come early and enjoy!
Bulk
Correction to directions: On Germania road off M-46 near M-53
Markets
I am looking for some Amish grocery/markets in the Thumb area. Is there a list somewhere?
Angela – There are no Amish bulk grocery/markets in the Thumb area that I am aware of and I have been to most all of their small businesses and such. The Amish communities here around Marlette and Cass City are not like they are in Ohio or Indiana and also much smaller and quieter…
There is an Amish grocery/bulk store in Sanilac county. There is a large and vibrant Amish community in the Sanilac/Tuscola area of Michigan.
want to visit
I would like to visit an amish comunity, im in Lansing what is the nearest??
cristina – depends on how far you want to travel and what Amish you want to see. If you want to see the Amish in an circus environment then head south on 69 to US12 and go west to Sturgis and head south from there to Indiana (take you about 1-1/2 hrs).
If you want to drive around to see them living everyday stuff then head out to the thumb around Cass City and Marlette or go North towards Rosebush and Clare area… There is a small grouping down around Hillsdale also.
Other areas are Blanchard, Bloomingdale, Bronson, Camden, Carson City, Centreville, Charlotte, Coral, Evart, Fremont, Gladwin, Hale, Hersey, Homer, Leroy, Manton, Marion, McBain, Mio, Newaygo, Osseo, Ossineke, Quincy, Scottville, Six Lakes…
Closest to Lansing would probably be the Charlotte/Vermontville community (west from Potterville). There is a larger community north in the Clare area, also another north of Gladwin, and then another between Gladwin, Clare and Beaverton. Between Six Lakes and Lakeview there are more! Between Brown City and Marlette are more and then between Cass City and Ubly. There are numerous communities in Branch and Hillsdale counties near the MI/OH/IN area. There are several small New Order communities north of Grand Rapids. There are a lot of Amish in Michigan!
If you go to the Charlotte area Amish there is J & L Country Store at 5757 W Kinsel Hwy. – they sell jams, jellies, cheese, bulk foods, etc. or go to Sunrise Candle Shop at 3897 W Greshham Hwy – sells candles, lotions, etc.
Around Clare area you’ll find more of that type…
looking for Amish Pumpkins
I am looking for an Amish Grower/Farmer that would have the capacity to ship truck loads of Pumpkins. I am working with a customerin NJ. If not for this year, then for next years season.
Hope somebody can point me in the right direction.
Thank you, Sylvia
Amish Pumpkins
I am looking for an Amish Grower/Farmer that would have the capacity to ship truck loads of Pumpkins. I am working with a customerin NJ. If not for this year, then for next years season.
Hope somebody can point me in the right direction.
Thank you, Sylvia
Sylvia, there are quite a few big growers in the Lakview, Six Lakes area in southwest Michigan. If you are truly interested, you need to figure out just how many you would want. I will get in touch with some Amish friends in that area & get some names for you. (Hopefully, an address or a phone # where you can leave a message so they can call you back, usually a neighbors phone or a community phone shack)
Maybe there is some way that Eric can get my e-mail address to you?
Thanks,
Sherry
Sherry
Would be glad to, just drop me an email: ewesner(at)gmail.com.
Amish in Michigan
Eaton and Barry County have a large Amish community. Barry County has three church districts. Many businesses here. My ancestors are originally from Holmes county Ohio and Arkensas. Just buried my mom (Norma P Stutesman) in Mio, where she was born. I have Amish relatives in Barry County, Clare county and mostly Oscoda county.
Amish/Mennonite in Ionia County MI
I have found information saying that there was a Mennonite Church in Ionia County along the Maple River in 1879. I would really like to find out as much information about this as possible. Also have been told there was one called Pigeon???? I am being told this was in Ionia County, but there is NOTHING in Ionia County with the name Pigeon in it. Any help that you can provide would be great.
Thanks in advance
Dave
pigeon river mennonite church in pigeon mi, more modern attendees. fairhaven community church near bayport and sebewaing has some old order menonites and modern attend. both churches are in huron county of michigans thumb.
Cemetery
I have recently become aware of an Amish cemetery here is West Branch. There are about 12 graves in it. It is on Rau Road between Lake George Road and M30. Some names are Gerber, Gascho, Jantzi, Kropf. A friend of mine takes care of it. The Amish community here in West Branch lasted until about 1941. My friend has had contact with some of the families and he was visited by about 40 family members some time ago.
Acne Amongst the Amish
Hello,
I’m a student at the University of Michigan. For my senior project, I am investing the percentage of acne in more traditional environments. Do you find that many Amish teenagers have acne? Do you think the Amish have lower rates of acne?
Thank you,
Christine Campbell
typo
*investigating not investing
web site for local amish
eric, i guess that this is your site by the way that you answer others. i am trying to help the amish in my community of homer michigan by building a web site with information of their businesses.
i was wondering if you could include a link to it
http://amishofhomermichigan.weebly.com/
i have a lot to add to it as i get more info from the families, but i am publishing the info to the web as i go.
thanx
brian mclaughlin
Homer Amish community
I live within the Homer, MI Amish community in Calhoun county. I believe there are around 40 families and 2 church districts in our area. Amish friends of mine have referred to the Centreville Amish as “more advanced”. I think the Homer Amish are great! They are so sincere and truly live their faith. We have many Amish friends in this community and great neighbors. I am so glad to live in this community. There are several Amish businesses that I regularly visit. Countryside Bakery and Bulk Foods, Royal Oak General Store, Shetler’s organic Produce, and more.
markets
I enjoyed the bulk food stores in Centerville. but would like to shop one closer. I believe the are some in Homer but am having trouble finding them. Any help would be appreciated, going in a couple weeks. thanks. also I live in flat rock, by lake erie.
Royal Oak General Store
My dad lives a few hundred yards from Royal Oak in Homer. Anna and her staff were wonderful. I was up for a very brief visit and Dad took me to the store. Such a nice lady, and she ended up giving me a beautiful bunch of asparagus that had probably been picked that morning. She told me that she liked to prepare it creamed style over buttered toast. She was right…it was excellent.
Our Amish community is wonderful…in fact, when my mom died there were almost as many Amish as Englishers at her funeral. All the pall bearers were Amish. Dad drives them to their work sites and they are at his house almost every day. I am so glad he is surrounded with so many wonderful people now that mom is gone.
I was surprised to find this forum when I did a web search for Royal Oak General Store. I guess I need to find a physical address to properly thank her for her kindness. Brian Craven, Nashville TN
Trying to contact an Amish acquaintence
We met an Amish man (who is selling land) this last January, but I’m not sure how to reconnect with him. Is there some central place to leave messages?
Looking for lower Michigan Amish horse trainer
This is a good idea, as I am looking for a Amish trainer to teach my saddle horse to drive.
I shall go to this new Homer sight and see what I can find.
I am from Adrian (S.E.) lower Michigan so the Hillsdale group may be closer.
Amish in Michigan
Hello, I didn’t go through all the comments but there is a lot of Amish around us in Beaverton MI they go buy our house all the time. I love watching the fathers take their little boys with them to the gas station or around town to do errands. It’s diffrent from what we are used to.
Amish Way of Life
Can anyone help me find information on Amish rules of living, such as: they don’t own vehicles, they don’t date Englishers, etc. Their way of life is very fascinating and I’m looking to learn more about them. I recently moved to Clare, Michigan and they are a big part of this community. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks
Amish questions
Mary you’ll find a lot of general questions answered here: https://amishamerica.com/amish-online-encyclopedia/
I understand that a lot of older teens are quitting the Amish lifestyle. Are they able to just get up and leave or do they need help? If they need help how could a person get involved in helping them get on there feet?
Carriage for wagon
I have a 1905 horse drawn wagon setting on a 1930 ford car frame with rubber tires. I would like
to trailer the wagon to Michigan and find a Amish family that can make a carriage on my wagon
frame . i want the carriage to carry 6 people–I pull it with my antique farm tractors in local
parades and shows. My family live in the Mt. Pleasant and Blanchard area. I am going back in July
for a family wedding and will return in November for deer Hunting on my brother’s farm in Blanchard.
phil Simon
I am not familiar with who makes buggies in Michigan. One place you might check out is Winesburg Carriage in Winesburg, Ohio.
buggies in homer
coblentz on v drive south in homer michigan
Bless you all
I admire the amish folks, dearly. I love their ways of life. I always keep saying I should of been born in the 1800’s. When up in Alaska, staying in the woods, in a cabin, with no electricity, no phone, and no water, I felt so peaceful. Animals, everywhere, bears scratching their backs on the cabin, lynx running by the outhouse, and squrrels causing the most hovac. Nothing like a Moose steak! Cooking on the woodstove. Not really any worries to speak of. I was happy. Down here, so many people, such a fast pace of life. Things need to slow down. The economy is horrible. So many things, people take for granted. It bothers me to walk outside at night here. You just never know. Of course, up there no snakes or skunks. Loved that. Ive seen one snake, too many since being down here. My plan is to live in a country town close to Amish folk and get back to the true ways of life., such as the proper ways to use and care for Gods land. I would also like to get to know the amish and folks alike and learn ways and delicious recipes. God Bless.
Paulne
I am thinking/feeling the exact same way as you are. Nice to know there are “others” out there. =))
Buggy
There is a buggy maker up in the Mio area. I don’t know just what the road is named, but there is a hardware store right on M33 and I’m sure they can tell you where to find him. I have talked with the young man has taken over the buggy shop from his father and he gave me a tour. The buggies are beautiful and he is quite willing to show his craftsmanship.
Charlotte Auction July 2012
Can you tell me where the Charlotte Auction is being held? I believe it is on July 28, 2012. Thanks!
To MKR, Yutzy’s Quilt Auction will be held Saturday, July 28, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at 4431 N. Chester Road, Charlotte MI, 48813. The auctioneer is Lavern Yutzy, Yutzy’s Auction Service, 517-543-7113. This auction features quilts, baskets, rugs, wall hangings, and quilt tops. The directions from Lansing are: I-69 South to exit 66, right approximately .3 mile to Vermontville Hwy., left 9 miles to Chester Rd., right 1/2 mile.
Charlotte Auction
Thanks for the information and directions!!