Southern Amish
photo:Â Scroonch
From Lancaster, Pennsylvania, through Ohio and Indiana and on out to other long-established settlements in Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas, we tend to associate the Amish with the nation’s middle latitudes. Since their earliest years in America, the Amish have gravitated to the cooler climes of these corn and dairy regions. However, the Amish have also had a long history of attempting to settle America’s southern states–sometimes successfully, sometimes less so.
In the early 1900s, Amish groups made numerous attempts to settle in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, and other southern locales. During this same period, four separate communities existed in Texas, three in Virginia, and some adventurous Amish even made a go of it in North Carolina’s Dismal Swamp. And in the mid-1800s, an atypical Amish community existed in New Orleans.
Today, we find the heaviest ‘southern Amish’ presence in Kentucky, with around 60 church districts. If we count the southern third of Missouri as belonging to Dixie, as many locals do, that would add significant settlements near Springfield and smaller ones scattered throughout the region’s rural counties.
Heading further east and south, Tenessee clocks in at nearly a dozen church districts, according to the Young Center’s Amish Studies site. Virginia is home to a handful of one-district settlements. North Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida all contain a single district today–in North Carolina, a New Order community, and in Florida, the unique Pinecraft settlement.
photo: Becky Mabry
A couple of Amish America readers share some local knowledge on two of these settlements. William says the community near his home in Mississippi, which uses steel-wheeled carriages and avoids propane and gas lights, is of the Swartzentruber affiliation.
According to a local newspaper article, the approximately two dozen families originated from Tennessee, and came in search of affordable farmland. A landowner made an attractive offer, and the original group moved in during an ice storm in the mid-90’s. William says that there are a few furniture businesses, but that many of the men are involved in the local lumber industry.
photo: Dave and Lolo
Texas seems an odd spot for the Amish. Yet a small group is making a go of it in the southern part of the state. Reader OldKat recently paid a visit. Conditions in the area sound pretty rough, especially when stacked up against, say, the lush hills of the Garden Spot, aka Lancaster County.
OldKat says that the community inhabits a flat, nearly treeless plain. The area can experience both drought and tropical storm rainfall. The Amish rely on drip tape irrigation to water crops and produce.
Despite the harsh surroundings, he says that the Amish are set on expansion, making plans to purchase more land. An entrepreneurial spirit exists in this community, with most of the dozen or so households operating some sort of home business, including beekeeping, produce farming, and horse training. The community speaks what they refer to as ‘Swabbish’ or ‘Swiss’.
They’ve also got what sounds like a bustling combination general store, tack and carriage shop. They sell produce, shoe some of the area’s many horses, and makes buggies for non-Amish as well.
OldKat shares that these buggies even come in non-standard colors, though you’d best pay heed when ordering one in an unusual hue.
Apparently they’ll make it, but as OldKat relates with a wink, the uglier the colors you choose, the bigger the deposit they require. And the Amish who run the place have a sense of humor. A recent request for an orange-and-white contraption supposedly required special conditions. “Better make that paid in full, right up front! Couldn’t sell a surrey painted up like that if we had to,” said one of the men. Apparently these Amish are neither Texas Longhorn fans nor followers of Sam Houston State, as OldKat found out.
Sources: Raber’s Almanac 2008 edition, Amish Studies website of the Young Center at Elizabethtown College, and David Luthy’s The Amish in America: Settlements that Failed 1840-1960. And thanks to William and OldKat!
Where are the Amish located in Texas? My hubby and I are moving to the Dallas area in July.
I know of several conservative Mennonite churches near my area (which I hope to join one once we get settled), but I always wondered if there were any Amish in Texas. Now I know there is, but don’t know what city.
Someone help me out please.
Thank you,
Dawn
Very interesting read! Thanks
Dawn,
The South Texas Amish are in Bee County, about 11 or 12 miles west and south of Beeville. That would be south and maybe a little east of San Antonio. From Dallas, you would take I-35 south about an hour or so south of San Antonio, exit onto US 59 East at George West. When you get settled in, contact Erik and he can help you contact me. I can give you exact directions, even a phone number to reach them.
Good luck on your move.
All the Best, OldKat’77.
There are also two established, stable Beachy Amish Mennonite churches in Texas. One is in Lott and the other, a Lott church plant, is in Bastrop. Lott seems to be moving quite liberal by Beachy standards, while Bastrop seems to be leaning more conservative, but not to the point of formally joining the Maranatha or Berea subgroups as far as I know. Seems there are also some Lott church plants near Dallas, but as far as I know they have left the Beachy Amish circle. I don’t know much of these churches so I am not sure if they are conservative Mennonite or if they have moved in other directions.
Kevin
I like to see references to the Young Center. I had Dr. Kraybill’s class last fall – Amish Society – and truly enjoyed it. I am wondering how I can get a copy of Raber’s Almanac. Amazon doesn’t have it.
-Roni
Dawn,
I visit the mennonite church in osceola (near itasca). there is a church in grays prairie, grandview and a few others.
let me know if you would like contact information for any of them. k h e a r n at h e a r n d o t c o m
Roni,
The Almanac is available from
Raber’s Bookstore
2467 CR 600
Baltic, OH 43804
The price is $2.00 and shipping on the order form in the Almanac is $3.00 on orders less than $19.99, although I sent $10.00 cash and they charged me $1.50 shipping and gave me a credit slip for $6.50.
Their phone number, which more than likely is voicemail, is 330-893-1313.
Erik was going to get this info when he returned to the States but I did a little investigating and found it on my own. 🙂
Bill, thanks for covering for me! Roni sorry I have been a bit slow here…I am stuck in low gear for the time being but plan to crank it back up very soon.
Another option is to send, say 10 bucks, and ask them to send you the equivalent in other products they carry rather than credit. Sort of a ‘grab-bag’ approach. I tried this and got some interesting pamphlets that I probably would have never found otherwise.
Admiring our Amish Community in Halifax County, VA
While driving in the rural northeastern areas of Halifax County, Virginia, you may meet a slow-moving, horse-drawn black buggy bearing bonneted women and girls and brimmed straw hat-wearing men and boys. You also may observe smiling, curious faces of children who are looking and waving from the back window. Before you make your way around them, you might wonder what their lives are like and how it compares to your own.
It’s like taking a step back in time, as the Old Order Amish do not connect to the secular world with telephones or electricity in their homes. They do not have television or radio and use horses and buggies for transportation. Family values are important to the Amish who are a peace-loving group. Their faith requires very plain clothing and a plain way of life… thus they often are referred to as the ‘plain people’ or the ‘gentle people’. Amish education is limited to Grades 1-8 in small wooden school houses where Amish children may be taught English for the first time. Their devout Christian life style is governed by rules set by their church group. Amish worship in homes, rather than in church buildings. Amish religious services are conducted in High German, and they converse in English and a German dialect widely known as ‘Pennsylvania Dutch’.
An Old Order Amish group from Dover, Delaware established the Nathalie area settlement in 2005. With between 150 and 200 Amish living nearby, the mystique of the Amish now is alive and well in Halifax County. They pay their taxes, volunteer at the fire department, and really contribute to the community. They meticulously care for the land and are skilled craftsmen and artisans in construction, baking and other crafts. They raise cattle and horses for their own use. Other agricultural activities may be established based on local needs.
The Amish don’t like their faces to be photographed, but are very friendly and welcoming. It’s a different lifestyle and a different culture, and it’s something that people can see and respect. The Amish, as some might fear, don’t scowl in judgment at the jewelry, makeup, or modern attire of visitors. The best time to visit is during daylight hours, any day. You may see gatherings of buggies on Sundays, which alternately are their days of worship or visitation, and some Thursdays when Amish weddings typically are celebrated.
The Amish community is growing and building rapidly and has based its livelihood around agricultural uses, several small businesses and shops open to the public. Detweiler’s Nathalie Metal (Siding & Roofing) may be found on Doctor Merritt Road. Miller’s Country Store (variety daily + Amish baked food on Friday and Saturday) and Coblentz’s New Hickory Furniture are located on Hunting Creek Road. Yoder’s Blue Ridge Accents greenhouse may be found on T.N. Snow Road. The Amish are remarkable builders, and several members, such as the Bylers and Gingerichs, perform building and construction trades. (The Amish use newspapers and mail but don’t advertise widely. The Amish do have telephones outside the house for business uses and necessities with telephones listed in directories by names of the individual owners.)
Halifax County people can help to promote its Amish neighbors by linking them with visitors eager to discover members of this highly conservative religious group and by buying their homemade goods, produce, flowers, and furniture. Local residents familiar with the Amish can give directions for visitors to the Amish settlements near Liberty, Lennig, Crystal Hill, and in the Nathalie area.
A map may be needed to follow the 20-mile loop of the Amish destinations around Lower Liberty Road, Liberty Road, Lennig Road, Hunting Creek Road, T N Snow Road and Crystal Hill (primarily along Virginia Route 603 between US Route 501 and US Route 360).
The Amish don’t believe in owning or driving vehicles, but don’t mind paying for rides to town and distant Amish locations with people who own vans. Amish ties are evident in Halifax and South Boston where the Amish visit Lowe’s, Wal-Mart and Farmer’s Foods and other local businesses.
I’m trying to contact someone at the Amish comm
in Beeville, Tx regarding
horse training. Can anyone
help me make contact?
I rode through this charming community last weekend. The people are very friendly and hopefully soon, I’ll be able to stop by their store.
Oldkat77 – I am needing a wagon refurbished. Could you supply phone number of Amish community near Beeville, TX so that I may contact them. Thanks, Lee
We recently moved form VA and prior PA and are looking for an Amish builder in the Fort Worth, Texas area. I know there is not a community close but my parents did use an Amish builder here over 25 years ago and they came and lived with them. Any advice?
thanks
LC
I would like to know if there are any amish men for hire to raise a barn in Miller, MO? Any advice on how to contact them will be appreciated.
Thanks
Annette
I live in Pasadena texas. Is there any amish communities near here that I could visit? I have been interested in the way they live. When I was 13 I lived in Shiner TX and an amish family lived down the road. I loved seeing them. That was 16 years ago.
want experienced barn builders to raise barn in bloomington, IN. Contact info appreciated.
The Amish in Bee County , South Texas area are just a few minutes from our Ranch. Recently we have had an Arab 4 year gelding being trined by the Amish, David and Daniel who live in this community. We had a very positive experience and we have greatly enjoyed getting to know the family. We love the General store and on Friday’s they have fresh baked goods for sale along with their produce, tack, fresh eggs and milk. We wish them well and pray they remain and prosper in South Texas!
If you are trying to contact the South Texas Bee County Amish please feel free to call my cousin Beverly Riley who has been in contact regularly on our behalf for horse traing. 713-820-8321
I will like more information about the South Texas Bee County Amish.
I live in Texas have visited the Mennonites at Lott several times. I will like to learn more.
We are also interested in purchasing a carriage.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Do you build custom homes
I’m looking for a ph# and direction to the amish in beeville my # 713-699-0944 will be in the area 2-17-09 john
I do know they have a mail order catalog that you can order Bulk Herbs and Spices ect. You can receive a catalog by writing to:
South Texas Botanicals
4156 Gaitan Lane
Beeville, Texas 78102
They have no phone so all correspondence must be answered by mail. When writing with questions or more information they ask that you included a self addressed stamped envelope for faster service. Not sure how much postage they would need to mail you a catalog. They also have a warehouse that you can pick up items but you must make a appointment at least 14 days in advance.
Hello,
I was wanting a mailing address for Daniel and David who live in Beeville TX. Don’t know their last name, but I owe them some money for horse training. I tried calling their outside phone and can’t get an answer.
Thanks
Marcy
we are needed some help from the amish in Beeville Tx if you know of a number or some way to get to them please email me at tamiesmith77@yahoo.com
my aut is haveing a problem with honeybees so we need to see what they say to do thanks Tami
Looking to visit the amish store when we pass thru there many times a year. Please email me Directions on how to get there.
Thank you,
Kathy Davis
davis1257@sbcglobal.net
I live in Corpus Christi and was wondering if these folks in Beville sell handmade furniture?
I need a bookcase and a rocking chair.
Hi we live in Corpus Christi TX & would like to visit the Amish community & their stores, near Beeville. Can you please provide me directions & hours of operation? I’m sure we could find it by just driving the area but I would like make sure we are respecting their rights by visiting at an acceptable time/day. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Hi, I’m looking to contact the Amish in Texas regarding possibly visiting to learn more about them and their ways. I would be able to come for at least a few weeks, starting mid-December, and would be happy to rent a room, if there were any willing families. I’m a 27 year old female. If anyone has any contact information or where I could write to, I’d be happy to send a letter and include a stamped envelope so they could write back. Please email me at courtneynorth@hotmail.com if you have any further information. Thank you so much!
LOOKING FOR AN AMISH BUILDER(S) TO BUILD BARN IN LOUISIANA. HAVE LODGING AVAILABLE.
THANKS!
SHARON HEBERT
sharonhebert@eatel.net
I am looking for Amishhorse trainers in the Beeville area to train my draft horse to drive. does anyone know of a trainer, and how to contact them? Thanks!
I just moved to Nashville Tn where is the closes Amish community. I moved from Lancaster Pa, and miss the shopping.
Ethridge and other Amish communities in TN
The largest Tennessee Amish community is at Ethridge, I believe that is a couple hours from Nashville. As I understand it is a quite conservative community, so would likely be different than Lancaster, and definitely with less business activity, though there may be some Amish operated businesses. Maybe someone who reads this more familiar with the area can comment. There are a couple of other very small communities in TN as well.
My best friend, Kelly, and I take a trip together every spring/summer since I live in San Antonio & she lives in Garland. We would love to visit an Amish community to learn more about them and their way of life, religion, etc. If the Beeville Amish families(s) receive visitors – could you provide the days, times, etc. My dad was born & raised in Beeville, so that would be great so we can also visit some relatives. If they do not receive outside visitors can you please tell us which communities do and if there is a website to visit or address so that we can contact them. Thank you very much!
Chris, the closest sizeable community would likely be Scottsville, just up I-65 across the border in KY. That is an interesting OO Mennonite community with general stores, bakeries, and vegetable stands.
Of course, if you live towards Franklin, Ethridge might be the closer settlement.
I am looking to purshase some Herbal Chickweed and Comfrey
salve. could you please let me know where I can find it.
Sue – You may purchase the Chickweed and Comfrey Salve from South Texas Botanicals – 156 Gaitan Lane, Beeville, Texas 78102. They make it there. I guess you would need to write to them to find out how to order. My understanding is that they do not have a phone. I purchased that exact item yesterday from The Little Country Store in Coalgate, OK (the store is run by an Amish man), but he told me he purchases it from his Amish friend who runs South Texas Botanicals. The store in Coalgate does not have a telephone either. It was $12.95 for a 4 oz tin.
Responding to Chris in Nashville: There is settlement in Ethridge, TN, very conservative, but there is some shopping to be had here. They sell out of their homes and there are some shops on the main road (not run by this group). There are some Amish in the Vanleer, TN area and around Ft. Campbell, KY. I hope this helps.
i was wonting o know if there was any amish anywhere around arkansas me and my husband would love to vsite them and see how they live.and how they do things.if anyone knows of any were around that has amish people please send me a email of the phone number and address.thank yo
Are there still communities in Stephenville, Texas with Amish families??
I was wondering if there is any Amish close to Jasper Alabama and also if not where the nearest ones are. I use to live in Iowa and I loved visiting there stores and homes Thanks
I would like to know if anyone in the Beeville area would be interested in relocating a colony of honey bees. I was told the amish near Beeville may be interested in removing them. The property is located in Sweeny Switch not far from where the Amish reside.
I am a retired Charter Tour Bus Driver. I have had the pleasure of driving many a group from South Carolina to the The Amish Section of Lancaster, Pa. Everytime I would get ready for a trip there I would study more and more on The Amish and their ways of life. So all the way there all I did was talk with my passengers about the Amish. I even talked to my wife and step children on them. Everyone needs to vist an Amish Settlement, I love the order. Wish I had been born Amish.
I am very happy to hear of the Amish community in Beeville.I have read many fiction stories of the Amish life by a variety of writers so this made me want to learn so much more.Ihave 3 different ccokbooks by the Amish and have tried many of the recipes.I had seen 2 amish girls at the half price book store in Corpus once. I just wanted to go up and hug them and tell them how much I respect their way of life and wish I had what it took to live their way.I would love to go and visit their community and visit their general store.If you would be kind enough to give me directions or an address once in Beeville on how to get there and when is the best time to visit so that we would not be intruding on their schedule.May God Bless them and help them prosper in all they do and attempt. thanks and so happy I found this site.
Can anyone tell me about the amish community in Meigs, Georgia? We are planning to visit their church as we got their address from a Beachy Amish Mennonite website. Thank you.
I am also interested in learning about the GA Beachy Amish Mennonite settlement near Cordele. I live in east AL and I am fascinated by this culture. I would love to visit and any info would be appreciated.
i met a lady serval yr. ago in balch springs tx. she told me that i could go to their church she gave me dircetions , but i son’t remember. it would be in kaufman county tx. if any one knows of this ordnung pleas let me know i really am thinking about joining their religion. thank you
I saw your article on Amish in North Carolina, but can no longer bring it up. I should have bookmarked it for the information. It pertained to the settlements in Mount Union (the only district that is still active, The district that was started in Yanceysille (1994-20010 and of course the Moyock district in Curritck County in the Great Dismal Swamp (1918-1944). Living in North Carolina this article interests me very much.
This is really nice. I would like to know where the Amish settlement is in Texas. I have lived in Texas all my life and have never known about them.
Hi Robert, this may be the one you are looking for? https://amishamerica.com/north-carolina-amish/
Hope that helps but let me know if not.
Jill the Texas settlement is located in Bee County.