This is the largest and most expensive of the properties we’ve seen from the batch of 7 Amish homes on the market in Fleming County, KY.
While we’ve looked at a couple of small houses and even a 21-acre “baby farm“, today’s property could be considered more the real deal as far as Amish farms go (“grownup farm”?).
Its size, at 91 acres, is a lot bigger than the other places we’ve seen,and more in line with a typical Amish dairy farm size. However, Kentucky is not exactly the foremost dairy state, and the realtor description calls this a “great cattle farm”. The place comes with a 212-foot long calf barn.
Looking inside, one thing that stood out to me in this home is the comparatively finer woodwork, including the staircase:
And the bed and furniture in this room:
Overall this home has a more finished, and perhaps a tad bit fancier look than others in the community we’ve seen.
This looks like a young man’s room. Also note what appear to be power outlets on the lower left wall, and on the window wall just to the left of the bed. If this was English-built, those would be easily explained. However I’m fairly certain this place was built by the Amish, and they were probably installed with an eye to a possible future sale to an English buyer.
The pillow visible at right is embroidered with a name.
The view of the living or sitting room shows us typical Amish rockers including the classic hickory style, and as is common in this community, a lot of blue.
Nice kitchen and cabinets.
Dining table. Just a note that is a typical covering for Amish kitchen tables. I’m not sure the material exactly but it’s not cloth, something vinyl-like and resistant to spills; easy to wipe up. I’m sure readers will know better than I what this is called.
Also note the wheels.
I don’t think this fellow comes with the place. Good friendly dog placement for the listing photo though 😉
The home has 6 bedrooms and no bathrooms. How much would you guess it is listed for?
You can purchase this place for $339,500.
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Tablecloth in photo
It’s a type of fabric called OILCLOTH, & was popular years back. I remember my grandmother’s kitchen table being covered w/ a red & white checkered patterned one. Vermont Country Store sells it, precut & by the yard, but I’ve also seen it at local fabric stores.
The earlier Amish buggies (1800s) were covered with oilcloth (later replaced by other material, not aware if it is still used in any communities). So I wonder how oilcloth used on tabletops in 2020 differs, if it does, from that used on buggies long ago.
Oil cloth
Don’t know much ’bout oil cloth just that they are in a car mechanics shop but why should it matter so long ago. At least the Amish don’t have to worry about smelling gas leaks riding their buggies.
Gass leaks
I am reminded of seeing a man driving a horse team pulling a haywagon to the fields one morning. The horses were (I’ll presume) digesting their breakfast and were a bit gassy. The man at the reins was getting the “exhaust” full in his face which annoyed him audibly. He yelled at the top of his lungs at the horses “Fa*t you s*nsab*tches f*rt” all the way out to the field. I don’t know if that sort of language is ordnung but I don’t see why not. It’s only about a natural process. Nothing blasphemous. Well I’m just sayin, there is gas and there is gass. Nicht wahr?
Annoying Horse
Yah das it wahr and very funny.
Oil cloth
Adrienne,
My grandmother had the same pattern oil cloth on her kitchen table to match the curtains and even the floor was red & white linoleum squares! Ah, memories.
Denise
Tripping hazard
Pretty smart to build in wiring with a view to possible eventual sale to English. Modern plumbing would make the place far more marketable. But:Ouch! Did anyone else notice the tripping hazard on the flooring transition behind the rocker?
Ouch?
Maybe a tripping hazard for a toddler, but I noticed more that the floor boards changed directions otherwise I sure would be a very proud home owner in this house. Sadly too far out of my reach.
Often the local building code mandates electric outlets at fixed intervals, though I’ve read that some Amish are required to remove the electricity once the C.O. (Certificate of Occupancy) has been awarded.
It’s interesting that this house was allowed to retain them.
Electrical Outlets
They may have them for medical equipment that can’t be used otherwise.
Medical needs
My Nephew rigged a battery system with a solar panel charger to power a Cpap breathing device for an Amish friend. My understanding is there was a conflict with the local ordnung in spite of medical need.
That’s too bad as sleep apnea can be serious. Good they found a workaround. An Amish friend got on CPAP a couple years back and he says it made a big quality of life difference. He is mainstream Holmes County Old Order so probably not nearly as Plain as your friend.
Table covering
The table covering is probably what my mother called oil cloth. It was a common table covering in the 40’s/50’s.
Thanks Jodee. I think melamine dishware had its heyday around that same era. Also still popular with Amish.
Oil Cloth
Jodee Paxton, you can find it at Vermont Country Store & some local fabric shops (JoAnn’s, etc.). It’s fabric backed & wears like iron.
Wood burning stove? Ceiling lantern or fan hardware?
Hardly able to see it in the lower right hand corner of the kitchen, but is that a wood burning stove? And, in two of the bedrooms, I noticed what looked like the fitting for a ceiing fan — or would a lantern be hung there for light in the room?
Good observation
… and what is the water accommodations and the bathroom situation? Interesting conversation!
No bathrooms in this settlement based on the photos from these seven homes. That would mean outhouses. One of the homes had the outhouse indoors in something like a closet, first I’d seen that. We’ve noticed hoses in one or two of these places. One had what looked like a small drinking water faucet by the sink though for the most part they might have sinks but not the traditional water setup.
Barn water
I noticed water hoses in the barn. The Amish I know in northwest Ohio/northeast Indiana will have running water, even heated running water, in the barn (for the animals don’t you know?). No running water, (let alone heated) in the house. That’s dedication.
Good eye, that should be a kitchen stove. They are common in this settlement. The things you see on the ceiling are likely hooks for lanterns along with protective heat shield.
91 Acre Amish "Cattle Farm" & Home
I didn’t see any water pitchers or basins in the bedrooms. Wouldn’t that be typical in a home w/o running water?
Water basin with pitcher
I love everything Victorian era and was wondering what the Amish do for fire protection. I don’t see any water hydrants in any of their pictures.
They would depend on local fire service like any other residents. A lot do use smoke alarms, but in some of the plainest communities, they are against them.
Water?
Thanks Erik, you are always very diligent in answering questions. Does the fire department carry their own water to the fire? Bible teaches that “my own people perish due to lack of knowledge” and while I love the romantic aspects of the Amish, they lack in safety, hygiene and education aspect of daily life. If I may share a thought with the family of this particular house: I think it would have some great possibilities for a Amish Bed and Breakfast establishment for a visionary couple, with a working farm, gentle trail ride horses and buggy rides. A real authentic Amish experience.
electric in this house
As a van driver I have this family schedule for a 4 day trip this week. The house is an older one that has been added on. In the picture with the table and hutch, you can see the electric panel box on the wall just in front of the hutch. Also some of the offset in the walls and the change in the floors indicate walls have been moved or removed completely. This house has lots of nice views and sits on a long hill above the road. My wife was a cookware dealer for over 30 years that did in home demonstrations. Because of that we have been inside of the majority of homes in this community and also quite a few in most of eastern Kentucky.
Garry that is very interesting. Are the families having any luck selling their homes? I did notice that there are offers on at least one or two of them. I have counted 8 now in this community that are on the market (listed on Zillow).
Dog Appears To Have Been in a Scrape or Two...
The dog is a welcome greeter but appears to have been in a scrape or two. I’m referring to nose and top of head areas. Hope he/she is well.
Maybe a rescue dog
People can be very cruel or maybe a horse kicked the dog. Some horses get skittish around dogs. The pup seems well fed. I’m looking for a curry recipe. Does anyone have a favorite that she wouldn’t mind sharing?