50 responses to Montana Amish

  • Beth
    Comment on Montana Amish (May 27th, 2011 at 10:38)

    Love these pictures! Did you take them?

  • Mary
    Comment on Montana Amish (May 27th, 2011 at 10:59)

    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

    • Mary Brammer
      Comment on Montana Amish (April 12th, 2013 at 17:13)

      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.

    • Comment on Montana Amish (May 9th, 2013 at 08:39)

      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!

  • Alice Aber
    Comment on Montana Amish (May 27th, 2011 at 11:07)

    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

  • Comment on Montana Amish (May 27th, 2011 at 12:47)

    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

  • Lowell
    Comment on Montana Amish (May 27th, 2011 at 22:40)

    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

    • Billy
      Comment on Montana Amish (August 8th, 2012 at 22:48)

      where?

      Where can I find the Amish in Rexford? We spent quite some time looking for them last week but came up empty.
      Thanks

  • Comment on Montana Amish (May 28th, 2011 at 00:11)

    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

  • Larry
    Comment on Montana Amish (June 21st, 2011 at 15:33)

    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

  • Susan Harper
    Comment on Montana Amish (June 28th, 2011 at 13:30)

    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

  • Lowell
    Comment on Montana Amish (June 28th, 2011 at 13:53)

    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

  • Janet tronstad
    Comment on Montana Amish (September 23rd, 2011 at 22:54)

    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.

    • Alan G.
      Comment on Montana Amish (February 15th, 2012 at 13:51)

      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.

  • Trina
    Comment on Montana Amish (October 19th, 2011 at 21:56)

    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

    • Alan G.
      Comment on Montana Amish (February 15th, 2012 at 13:37)

      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

  • Robin L. Felz
    Comment on Montana Amish (February 2nd, 2012 at 23:32)

    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!

    • Alan G.
      Comment on Montana Amish (February 15th, 2012 at 13:58)

      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

    • Mary Brammer
      Comment on Montana Amish (April 12th, 2013 at 17:17)

      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.

  • Mary
    Comment on Montana Amish (February 2nd, 2012 at 23:50)

    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

  • Robin L. Felz
    Comment on Montana Amish (February 3rd, 2012 at 10:31)

    Thank you mary.I will be doing some more research

  • Rebecca C.
    Comment on Montana Amish (March 28th, 2012 at 21:58)

    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

  • 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

    • BWW
      Comment on Montana Amish (September 20th, 2012 at 11:54)

      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

  • Yoder
    Comment on Montana Amish (May 22nd, 2012 at 12:58)

    Donald, one person you could check with is John Hochstetler, Hochstetler Custom Kitchens, 406-288-2298 in Gold Creek, Montana.

  • Comment on Montana Amish (June 5th, 2012 at 12:43)

    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

  • Mary
    Comment on Montana Amish (June 6th, 2012 at 16:12)

    Where in Montana are you located?

    • Comment on Montana Amish (June 7th, 2012 at 21:40)

      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!

  • MThrslover
    Comment on Montana Amish (July 5th, 2012 at 17:21)

    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

  • Comment on Montana Amish (July 24th, 2012 at 14:19)

    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

  • Di
    Comment on Montana Amish (August 22nd, 2012 at 20:29)

    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.

  • Rosie
    Comment on Montana Amish (August 27th, 2012 at 01:12)

    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

  • Rosie
    Comment on Montana Amish (August 27th, 2012 at 01:15)

    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

    • Mary
      Comment on Montana Amish (August 27th, 2012 at 22:51)

      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.

  • Helen Oliver
    Comment on Montana Amish (September 8th, 2012 at 14:04)

    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!)

    • Mary
      Comment on Montana Amish (September 8th, 2012 at 20:33)

      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.

  • Lowell
    Comment on Montana Amish (September 8th, 2012 at 20:43)

    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

  • Helen Oliver
    Comment on Montana Amish (September 8th, 2012 at 23:39)

    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 :)

    • Mary
      Comment on Montana Amish (September 9th, 2012 at 20:28)

      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.

  • Judy
    Comment on Montana Amish (September 14th, 2012 at 17:47)

    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.

    • Helen
      Comment on Montana Amish (September 14th, 2012 at 20:10)

      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

      • Linda
        Comment on Montana Amish (October 26th, 2012 at 15:40)

        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.

        • Comment on Montana Amish (November 30th, 2012 at 00:54)

          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.

  • debi daniels
    Comment on Montana Amish (September 16th, 2012 at 13:42)

    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

  • Richard Walker
    Comment on Montana Amish (March 30th, 2013 at 17:24)

    Looking for Amish family who moved from Maquota Iowa to Ashland area approx. 7 years ago.

  • Melinda Tollie
    Comment on Montana Amish (April 18th, 2013 at 13:40)

    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.

  • Mary Brammer
    Comment on Montana Amish (April 18th, 2013 at 22:39)

    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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