Montana’s 5 Amish communities are scattered across the state
Montana has had a continuous Amish presence since 1974. The state’s 5 communities range from the oldest at Rexford (Lincoln County) in the state’s mountainous northwest corner, to Rosebud County in the eastern Plains.
Amish in Montana
Amish first settled in Montana in 1903, though that pioneer community has since ceased to exist. The current group of Montana Amish settlements includes 4 communities founded in the last fifteen years.
- Rexford, Lincoln County (West Kootenai)-The West Kootenai area, lying a few miles from Canada, is home to the oldest Montana Amish settlement. Rexford holds a yearly school auction in late spring.
- St. Ignatius, Lake County-The single-congregation St. Ignatius community also features an annual school auction.
- Other Montana settlements-Small Amish communities are also found in Jefferson, Fergus, and Rosebud Counties.
Rexford, Lincoln County
The oldest Montana Amish community is found near the town of Rexford in Lincoln County. Amish first settled here in 1974. Despite its age, the community is small, at just a single congregation. The area is commonly known and referred to as West Kootenai.
The West Kootenai community, lying a stone’s throw from the Canadian border, is known for its impressive vistas and scenic mountain views. Amish from Eastern settlements traveling in the West are known to stop and visit at Rexford among other communities.
The Rexford area is home to the annual West Kootenai Amish Community Auction, which helps to fund the local Amish school. The auction is held on the second Saturday in June each year. The 2011 event will be held Saturday, June 11th, beginning at 9 am. The location is 250 Whitetail Dr, Rexford, MT 59930.
Items sold at the auciton include log furniture, cedar furniture, machinery, log cabins, gazebos, wall hangings, wood carvings, handcrafted items, and hand-stitched quilts. Quilts are made by local Amish as well as by Amish from other settlements around the country.
Amish provide lunch at the event, which includes barbecued chicken, pie, ice cream, and baked goods. For the 2011 auction, quilts, wall hangings, and other items begin to be sold at 10:30 am, with log homes and machinery going up on the block starting at 12 noon.
Amish from Rexford achieved a degree of publishing fame with the 1988 release of a cookbook entitled Amish Country Cooking by the Amish of the West Kootenai, Rexford, Montana. This guide to Plain cuisine was one of the first books translated into the Japanese language, in response to signficant Eastern interest in the Amish people (“Japanese Interest in the Amish”, David Luthy, Family Life, Dec 1997). Amish at West Kootenai/Rexford also produce log and rustic style furniture (read more about Amish furniture in Montana).
St. Ignatius, Lake County
The Amish community at St. Ignatius in Lake County lies within a 3-hour drive of the Rexford community. The St. Ignatius group began settling the area in 1997, and like Rexford, is a single congregation in size today.
Also like the Rexford Amish, the St. Ignatius group holds a well-attended auction. The Mission Valley Annual Amish Community Auction is held annually on the weekend after the July 4th weekend. The 2011 event kicks off at 9:30 am, Saturday July 9th. The location is the local Amish school, at 13137 Foothills Road, St. Ignatius, MT 59865.
A listing of the items up for sale includes: quilts, furniture, log cabins, crafts, machinery, sheds and mini-barns, children’s playhouses, lawn furniture, log furniture, and a number of other items. The quilt portion of the auction begins at 11 am. Lunch is provided by the Amish, with a menu including barbecued chicken, cole slaw, potatoes and gravy, rolls, ice cream, and pie.
Like the Rexford Amish auction, a portion of the proceeds from the Lake County auction is used to benefit the Amish school.
Rosebud, Jefferson, and Fergus County
Three other Amish settlements are found in Montana.

Amish communities in Montana. Amish are found in Lincoln County (red), Lake County (blue), Jefferson County (yellow), Fergus County (green), and Rosebud County (orange)
In the same year as the founding of the St. Ignatius community, another group of Amish settled in Rosebud County in eastern Montana, near the towns of Ashland and Forsyth.The Jefferson County settlement, near Whitehall, was founded in 2001.
Montana’s youngest settlement (founded 2008) is located in Fergus County, near the towns of Moore and Lewistown. All of these settlements are a single church district in size.
Libby Community
The Libby community emerged from a horse-and-buggy Amish background, comprised of members who previously lived in the West Kootenai settlement. The Libby group maintains ties with similarly-minded communities in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and others in Eastern states including Pennsylvania. Though they have experienced a shift away from the Old Order including a change in theological emphasis and the adoption of vehicles, they maintain some cultural similarities with horse-and-buggy Amish churches.
The Libby community holds an annual auction known as the Eagle Valley Community Auction, occurring every third Saturday in May. The 2013 edition will be held on May 18, 2013, beginning at 9 AM. Items for sale include log homes and cabins, pavilions, quilts, crafts and handmade furniture. The auction takes consignments and has booths available for vendors.
The auction benefits the community’s school. Quilts, furniture, crafts and other items can be donated to this end. The contact number for donations is (406) 293-8707.
The Amish-style meal served includes charcoal-roasted barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw, and dessert. The address for the auction is 50 Meadowlark Lane, Libby, MT 59923.
Historic Montana Amish settlements
Relatively few Amish have settled in Montana. In the state’s history a handful of Amish communities have come and gone.
One community existed in the state in the early-to-mid 1900s, in Dawson County. Historian David Luthy explains that Amish from North Dakota came to the area of the future town of Bloomfield, lured by inexpensive land sold by the railroad, as well as free plots offered through the Homestead Act.
Over the years, other Amish joined them from communities such as Garnett, Kansas, Nappanee, Indiana, Dover, Delaware, Salinas, California, Fayette County, Illinois, and Coleman, Michigan (The Amish in America: Settlements that Failed 1840-1960, pp. 261-266).
The community was isolated, with the nearest trading post a thirty-mile ride by wagon. An unusual situation arose at Dawson County, with one of the Amishmen handling postal duties for the fledgling community beginning in 1906. The post office was soon relocated to a larger town, however. David Luthy notes that “Less than three years later it no longer existed, bringing to an end a rarity in Amish history–the occupation of postmaster” (Settlements that Failed, p. 264).
Amish in Dawson County raised wheat, oats, alfalfa, flax and barley. They also mined free coal from the abundant veins in the region. The settlement had a resident minister for nearly all of its existence, but eventually failed.
One reason for its failure was the drying up of free land. With most available homesteads claimed, the enticement of land was no longer there to draw settlers to the remote region. The Dawson County community ceased to exist in 1935 (Settlements that Failed, pp. 264-267).
The Dawson County community is not the only extinct Amish settlement. During the 1990s and 2000s, at least two more Montana Amish communities came and went. The community at Libby, in Lincoln County, was founded in 1992, going extinct in 2004.
Another short-lived settlement was found at Gold Creek from 2004-2006 (Amish Settlements Across America: 2008, David Luthy).
Western Amish
Outside of their original homeland of Pennsylvania, Amish have also settled heavily in the Midwestern corn belt. But with rising land prices in these traditional areas, a number of Amish have headed West.
Amish interest in the West is not new, however. Pioneer Amish attempted to settle in Western states in earlier eras.
In addition to the Dawson County settlement described above, the late 1800s and early 1900s saw Amish forming new communities in California, Arizona, and Oregon, among others.
In the present day, Montana, like Colorado, South Dakota, and other states, has attracted Amish with an adventurous spirit and willingness to travel in search of greener pastures. With the price of land remaining an important factor, it will be interesting to see if the current trend for Western settlement holds.
For further information, see:
The New American Almanac 2011, Raber’s Bookstore (Baltic, Ohio), Ben J. Raber
Amish Settlements Across America: 2008, David Luthy
The Amish in America: Settlements that Failed, 1840-1960, David Luthy
“Japanese Interest in the Amish”, David Luthy, Family Life,Dec 1997
http://www.kilmercreek.com/auction.html
“Amish Population by State (2010)”. Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College (http://www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/Population_by_State_2010.asp;)
Amish Country Cooking by the Amish of the West Kootenai, Rexford, Montana
Photo credit: all Montana Amish photos by James Anderson
















50 responses to Montana Amish
Love these pictures! Did you take them?
Interesting, since I live in Montana myself. The communities in Gold Creek and Libby which you say are extinct are actually still very intact, although they switched from horse and buggy to vehicles, and aren’t considered Amish anymore.
Also, the Amish from Whitehall and Ashland have all relocated to other communities either within Montana or some other state. To my knowledge only 3 communities of Amish exist in Montana anymore. St. Ignatius now has 2 church districts instead of one like was stated. They are considered New Order Amish.
Horse back riding among the Amish not common?? In Montana they do it more often then what they use their buggys. One has to be adventurous to be Amish and live in Montana at the same time!
Montana Amish
In response to Mary’s comment on May 2011 regarding the Ashland Amish, the community is still here and growing. They have a store, a trading post opened December 2012, and several new houses have been built. They are located on the Tongue River Road North of Ashland just past where the pavement ends … look for the signs.
Amish in Lewistown
There is an Amish community in Lewistown now. We lived with the amish community in Libby for 7 years and then left from there. They are no longer amish there, altho some of them still dress that way. And yes there are still amish in Ashland as far as I know.
Great article!
Dawson County, MT
Greetings!!
Love the pictures and the stories. I actually lived in Dawson County, MT for a brief while. Dawson county is know for the “Montana Bad Lands”. I lived in a town called Glendive. There is a state park there called “Makoshika”. It is in a sense the opening to the bad lands.
Out beyond the town are grain fields and a little further south and west of Glendive a lot of beets are grown. It is a beautiful area. I can certainly understand anyone wanting to live there and would even consider going back myself one day.
I never knew there had been Amish in that area but did know of the Amish in the western part of the state. This has been quite interesting, thanks for posting it!!
Blessings, Alice
Montana Amish
Hi Beth, they’re nice, aren’t they? No these are all James Anderson’s photos (see the credit at the bottom). I thought they were great as well. Thanks again to James for sharing.
Mary that is correct, from what I know. But for the purposes of these guides they are extinct as Old Order Amish. If you search on Youtube you can find an interesting revival video with the Libby group, done in the last few years, I believe. Still wearing Plain clothing and beards.
That is interesting about the Whitehall move and the St. Ignatius group dividing to 2 districts. That all must have occurred in the last few months (or, they didn’t get their info in to Raber’s in time).
I had the impression that they might ride horses more in Montana, but that would definitely make them a bit different than your typical Amish. Western style, I guess. Or adventurous as you say!
And Alice, that is neat. Apparently Glendive was the town that the first Amish settler stopped in to spend the night on the way to founding the Dawson County community. He met a land agent there who took him to see the land they eventually settled on.
Montana Amish
Great post
Great information
I have visited the Amish in Rexford and found that to be the all time prettiest Amish settlement. I felt sorry for the Rexford Amish as they are far enough north and a high enough elevation that they have difficulty raising garden produce. In addition every Amishman that travels west stops into visit them draining the already limited resources (they are close to the White Fish train depot). They appear to have developed special skills in logging with horses and building log cabins. Kootenai Lake close to the settlement has some of the best freshwater salmon fishing in the state and they often go on fishing trips. One of the original founders of the area John Miller was drawn to the area because of the fishing. He first learned of trout fishing while in CPS in South Dakota. St. Ignatius works better for growing produce and dairy farming and my impression is that the Amish their are able to live a more traditional Amish life.
Worth a visit
Lowell
Montana Amish
where?
Where can I find the Amish in Rexford? We spent quite some time looking for them last week but came up empty.
Thanks
visiting Rexford Amish
Lowell super to hear from someone else that knows these communities firsthand. I found it interesting what you said about every western-traveling Amishman stopping in at the Rexford Amish settlement.
I had understood that they get a lot of visitors, and your comment makes me wonder how they feel about it. Probably nice on the one hand to have so many different folks coming to see you way out West, but on the other, “draining resources” as you said.
I guess the lesson is, if you visit Rexford, it’s okay to bring some eats to share along with your fishing pole
Montana Amish
Montana Amish
After a visit to Glendive last week, I returned home to Missoula through Lewistown. Traffic at Eddie’s Corner was slow and then I saw it – an Amish horse and buggy! It was the first time I was aware the Amish had settled in Fergus County. I stop at the Amish run General Store every time I go through St. Ignatius. Gives me opportunity to buy Sweet Lebanon Balogna and enquire about the possibility of Shoefly Pie.
Montana Amish
Question about the Montana Amish
My husband and I were in a Walmart store in Great Falls, Montana and we saw so many women dressed like the Amish we’ve seen in PA but their head scarfs were black with white polka-dots. What is the significance of these such scarfs? Is this a local community of Amish?
Thanks,
Susan
Susan
I think you were observing Hutterite women. They look Amish but often will wear plaids and polka dots. They are a number of large groups in that part of the state. Very interesting Anabaptist group who live communally. I think Eric has featured them in the past.
Lowell
I was in St. Ignatius recently and also stopped at the Mission store with their Amish good. Bought some wonderful Black Raspberry Jam. I understand some of the Amish there lease land on the Blackfeet Indian reservation.
Lease land on Indian Reservation
It is possible that the Amish lease land on the Flathead Indian Reservation but they would not have a preference over tribal members. Im personally acquainted with most of the amish that live in St. Ignatius and they own their land like everyone else who is not tribal. Since the Dawes Act of 1887, which allowed homesteading on reservations, their has been private land ownership in the area.
Amish to Build a Horse Barn - Wanted
Hello!
We are looking for Amish to build a horse barn for our draft horses in the Drummond, Montana area. We would like 4-6 stalls on both sides of the barn with 10 foot overhangs, and a 16 foot breezeway down the center. Stalls would be 12′ x 12′.
Do you know of any Amish communities that would like to do this?
Please let us know,
God Bless,
Doug & Trina
Response to comments and a correction on St. Ignatius Amish Community
Trina if your still looking for a horse barn look up Miller Storage barns in the St. Ignatius area. They are Amish and have years of experience. They are known to build exactly what you would like and stand behind it with a satisfaction guarantee. Their number is (406)745-3207.
I would also second the comment about seeing the women dressed up in Great Falls. They were most likely Hutterites from the local communities found in that part of the state.
Also an update on the St. ignatius community they are as of last year two congregations. The recent increase of families to the community called for a split to accommodate all the members in the area.
If you would like to see some of the businesses in the St. Ignatius Amish community these are a few of their websites.
http://www.ronstools.com/
http://www.kilmercreek.com/missionvalleyauction.html
http://www.kilmercreek.com/
http://www.mission-general-store.com/
http://www.tamaracktimberworks.com/
Montana Amish
Thanks for the update Alan.
Montana amish craft and fairs
I am wondering what the closest community to Sheridan or Buffalo ,Wyoming would be.I am in the process of planning a vacation for June or July. I would love to attend a craft,fair ,farmers market or flea market or community .Thank you!
If your headed to montana for vacation...
The St. Ignatius community has their annual amish auction July 7th and it is about 3hrs closer than the Rexford community. This is a website that gives more details.
http://www.kilmercreek.com/missionvalleyauction.html
Ashland would be the closes community to Sheridan … about 2 hour drive. They have their annual Amish Auction on June 8th this year in case you want to attend.
This might not be the closest Amish community to Sheridan or Buffalo, but there is an annual Amish Auction that happens in June every year in Rexford, Montana. It happens every year for years already and attracts hundreds of people. You may look it up online to when exactly the date is. (I think its usually the second Saturday of June.)Besides attending an interesting and unusual auction, you would also be driving through the most beautiful part of the Montana Rockies!
Montana Amish
Thank you mary.I will be doing some more research
I’ve been interested in the Amish for a very long time now. I beleive they have a right in the way they do and belief in things as the rest of use do.
I have been wanting to visit an Amish settlement. Like the one in Penn. state. But u all know, its hard to save the money to be able to go do something like that.
When I found tonight that there is a settlement there in Montana (with me living in the Magic Valley of Idaho), it makes me even more wantig to be able to visit a Amish settlement.
I know its closer and everything. That makes it hard, knowing how much I want to go there to visit, buy a real actuall Amish quilt (maybe buying a few other things as well), ride in a buggy for a few moments, and meet some of the Amish, I would be really happy. Being able to achieve one of my dreams.
I know it sounds real corny. But, for the ones who dont understand, its like wanting something really bad. For the ones who actually do live in, near, around settlements like the Amish, you probably dont know what your missing.
Maybe one day I could go visit. But for now, I at least can dream what it would be like to visit. I know I would LOVE to have an Amish quilt and any thing else that they make that I may be iterested in!
Montana Amish
Any contact info for the Gold Creek Amish Mennonites?
I’m trying to contact the former Amish in Gold Creek, who are reputed to be excellent craftsmen and workers. I think the name is Hochsteder? Anyone have that info?
Thanks,
DMS
For Donald M. Scott
Donald M. Scott
Comment on Montana Amish (May 22nd, 2012 at 11:36)
Any contact info for the Gold Creek Amish Mennonites?
I’m trying to contact the former Amish in Gold Creek, who are reputed to be excellent craftsmen and workers. I think the name is Hochsteder? Anyone have that info?
Thanks,
DMS
————
Donald there is a Matt & Anthony Hochstelter, working for Sustainable Lumber Co. In Gold Creek. Don’t know if this is who you are looking for but, maybe they can point in the right direction
Montana Amish
Donald, one person you could check with is John Hochstetler, Hochstetler Custom Kitchens, 406-288-2298 in Gold Creek, Montana.
Thanks
Many thanks. I’ll do that.
Don Scott
Ranch Hand/Wrangler position offered to Amish Community
We have an immediate opening for a ranch hand/wrangler position on our ranch that we would like to offer to the Montana Amish Communities. We are searching for a specific contact to the Montana Community, or a means to place our ad for this position before them. Please advise? Thank you.
http://www.lonesomedoveguestranch.com/
LonesomeDoveGR@aol.com
Where in Montana are you located?
Reply to Comment on Montana Amish
Mary,
We are located in the Kalispell region. If you happen to know of anyone who might be a contact for passing along this opportunity for a job as a wrangler/ranch hand to the Amish Community, please let me know.
Thanks!
Ashland, MT communicty still there
The Ashland community must still exist because they are fleeing the fire along with the rest of the residents:
http://youtu.be/Mx6PjuUGFFo
Missionizing Amish
Glad to see an informative website on MT Amish.
After stopping by the St Ignatius store yesterday I looked on the web and found a website for the St. Ignatius Amish community that sounded like an evangelical Christian site.
While at the store I had a chance to chat with the individual at the register who invited me to attend Sunday services. I was somewhat surprised as I understand the Amish as not seeking English visitors. I’d like sometime to be able to unobtrusively listen to the service and hear the hymns, some of which are available on CD’s.
Is it possible that this congregation is drifting somewhat from the Amish tradition as described in Hoestedler? As noted on this site other Montana Amish have ceased being traditional Amish. Outside the store I observed one of the Baptist Ten Commandments billboards which adorn the Flathead Valley.
The gentleman with whom I spoke was occupied with working and that, combined with my reticence to ask personal questions kept me from finding out more. I did, however, get to practice dialect German.
I am interested in American religous history from a sociological perspectie, rather than, say, that of a participant-observer. The Amish and Mennonites are particularly interesting to me as one branch of my grandmother’s family (Ludy) were German-speaking anabaptists who came to North America in the 18th Century.
Thank you for providing an opportunity tolearn about Montana Amish..
Gurdon
Montana Amish
Wow
I never knew we had colonies in MT. First time I saw any were yesterday. There were 3 ladies and a little tiny girl. I was standing looking at what I wanted to puchase and the little girl tugged on my dress. She wanted me to say “HI” to her. Have to love little kids, so cute.
I live in Fortine Montana just south of Eureka and I went to the Rexford Amish on Saturday Aug 25 2012 and wanted some doughnuts at the Kootnaie Store. The last I was in there was 1999 and it has changed. It’s lind of sad. I was thinking to myself ….. where are all the AMISH!!!! kinda like a ghost town. The store has new folks running it but the food is still good!!!
bought some bread, cookies, doughnuts and some pop I just love it over there and the Amish People!
Montana Amish
Oh and we tried finding Roy Yoder’s but was not sure which rd was which? we pulled into a drive way had a garage on the left, another straight back looks like it was for sale? then a driveway to the left so we turned around and left
If you ever come back here to The West Kootenai again you would be welcome at my house! We live less then a mile from the store.
Amish restaurants near Ronan or St Ignatius?
We’re going to the National Bison Range this month and we’ve heard about a wonderful Amish restaurant nearby, but I’ve looked and can’t find any information. Does anyone know of it?
Thank you for this informative article (and all the interesting comments!)
Can you tell me where the Bison Ranch is located? I know of an Amish restaurant in MT. but don’t know whether its close to the Bison Ranch.
There used to be an Amish restaurant in St. Ignatius but I understand the family that ran it moved to central America. You could check with one of the Amish families in St Ignatius.
There is an Amish restaurant in Rexford
http://www.kilmercreek.com/kootenaistore.html
There are some links to the Montana Amish on this site
http://www.kilmercreek.com/auction.html
Lowell
Thank you Mary and Lowell for responding. The National Bison Range is an 18 mile driving loop located north of St. Ignatius and south of Ronan. It’s only accessible by car. We like it so much that we go at least once every summer. Montana is such a beautiful state. This is our ninth summer and we love it here, but we scurry back to Florida before the snow
Oh yes, we have gone past the bison ranch many times on our way to Missouli but I had forgotten where it was. If its worth going there each summer, (like you do) then we should stop in ourselves some time! The restaurant I was referring to is in Rexford. In fact, its located in The West Kootenai to be exact. Probably 150 miles from St. Ignatius.
Comment on Montana Amish
Helen, I’m not aware of an Amish restaurant near the Bison Range but there is a Mennonite Restaurant in Ronan called the Ronan Cafe. They make wonderful bread and pies and serve breakfast and lunch. It’s right on Main Street in downtown Ronan.
Thank you, Judy!
I’m pretty sure that’s the one our neighbor was telling us about but didn’t know the name! We’ll definitely go next year (and we’ll go this year if we get a chance.)
BTW The Bison Range was beautiful last weekend (except for the smoke, of course.) We saw lots of muledeer, whitetail deer, pronghorns, partridges and raptors. We didn’t see elk or bear, but a photographer said we’d passed close to six bears, eight feet up in the trees over the berry bushes! We got to see a couple old bull bison up close since they weren’t with the herd, and we saw lots of bison from a distance. This is such a beautiful time of the year in Montana.
Montana Amish
Amish restaurants near Ronan or St Ignatius
Helen, The Amish-owned Mission General Store in St. Ignatius sells deli sandwiches, phone 406-745-7200. Ronan Cafe is run by Holdeman Mennonites, also known as Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.
Holdeman Mennonites, also known as Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.
Linda
Thank you for mentioning the Holdeman Mennonites. I’d read about this branch of the anabaptists previously but did not see the (obvious) connection to the St Ignatius congregation untill you pointed it out.
Oh, and the sandwiches are very good, and certainly worth stopping in for.
the amish way of life may be the future
i live in palmer, alaska, and for several years now have been watching the boreal forest stress, most likely because of the ozone hole. for every 1% decrease in ozone, there is a 2% increase in uv light. there is so much now that our trees on the farm are dying, and we will sell next year and move farther south. the cfc’s which destroy it are still being manufactured and take 50 yrs to migrate to the stratoshere, where they act as a catalyst in destroying ozone, which means one molecule of cfc, does its damage over and over and over. if the entire boreal forest dies, the carbon in the atmoshere will double to 800 ppm or so. we do not even have a quality of life now, we have to walk away from our farm, 450 trees, and climate sci. say a 2-3 degree is the max. so, in the very near future, much sooner than anyone ever suspected we may all be living, like the amish. that is where i will place my family anyway. near an amish community with as little city folk as possible. if anyone wanted to see the boreal forest dying, get on a plane and fly to anchorage before the leaves drop. the birch are mostly brown with crispy edges. its the beginning of the end for our planet as we know it, and human civilization with it.
Montana Amish
Looking for Amish family who moved from Maquota Iowa to Ashland area approx. 7 years ago.
Which Ashland family are you looking for? We live close and could relay a message for you.
Are there many places to rent for an older person near the Amish Communities? I love the Amish & their dedication to God, Family & Community. I have been thinking of relocating. I have lived in Washington State all my life.
Rentals
Hi Melinda,
Ashland is a very small community and the Amish community is about 5 miles North of town. There are some vacant homes in Ashland but none that I know of in the Amish community unless you are one of the communities family members or are from another Amish community. There is a retirement apartment complex on the hill overlooking town but I do not know much about it. If you need information on it let me know.
Mary
Montana Amish
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