Shannon shares some nice photos from the Amish settlement at Montcalm County, Michigan.
Shannon says that the family she knows here belongs to the ‘Troyer Amish’ group.
There are currently 24 Amish settlements in Michigan, according to the latest Calender, the almanac-and-guide to Amish church districts.
The oldest Michigan settlement, that in the vicinity of Centreville in St. Joseph County, dates to 1910. It is also the largest of the Michigan settlements, with 11 church districts as of this year.
St. Joseph County may contain the oldest Michigan settlement, but it wasn’t the first to be founded.
According to David Luthy’s The Amish in America: Settlements that failed, six settlements had already been founded in Michigan by 1910, five of which were still in existence at the time of the founding of the St.Joseph settlement.
All of these communities ‘went extinct’ at some point, though most were fairly long-lived, lasting 20, 30, 40 and one over 50 years.
The longest-lasting of these early settlements that went extinct was that of Mio in Oscoda County, way up in the northern part of the Michigan ‘hand’.
Mio is unusual because after its ‘extinction’ in 1954, no Amish lived in the area until 1970, when families from Geauga County, Ohio began to settle in the area of the former community, creating a new settlement that numbers three churches today.
Shannon says that the family she is acquainted with in Montcalm County is quite friendly with outsiders, even running a dinner service for visitors, as Amish families sometimes do.
At the same time, the group leans to the more technologically-conservative side of the spectrum, with open-front buggies and oil lamps in use.
Thanks again to Shannon for the nice photos. Read more on Michigan Amish communities, or Amish woodworking in the Wolverine State: Amish Furniture-Michigan
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was pleasantly surprised to find this information especially so specific in location. brought up lots of memories of growing up in montcalm county. having moved out here in oregon 30 yrs ago, finding communities of amish seems to be neigh on to impossible. at last report my mother had members of local amish community deconstruct 100+ year old barn. I don’t beleive she could have chosen any better people to do the job
Montcalm Amish
Recently visited Sara’s Fish Fry and Breakfast for breakfast. Had a wonderful breakfast and a wonderful experience for my family. Would recomend it to everyone (if you can find it). Also checked out the Cheese Factory during chedder fest.
hurt leg
SARAH HAS TO HAVE SURGERY ON HER LEG IN MARCH. STILL SERVES GREAT FOOD. STOP IN AGAIN.
Sarahs fish fry and breakfast
Can someone give me some information about finding this restaurant. Would love to visit it.
SARAH S DIRECTIONS
FIND FIVE CORNERS STORE KENDAVILLE RD AND GREENVI.LLE ROAD. GO EAST ON KENDAVILLE TO FITZNER. SHUL HOUSE ON THE CORNER. TURN LEFT ONE MILE TO LAKE MONTCALM RD. TURN RIGHT. THE FIRST DRIVE ON THE RIGHT. DRIVE TO THE VERY END. SATURDAYS 7:30 TO 12:00 NOON.
THE THIRD FRIDAY OF ANY MONTH A FISH FRY. 3:00 TO 7:00PM. TELL HER AMISH STEVE SENT YOU.
SARAH'S
Glad you mentioned Sarah’s. I was taken there years ago and am trying to find it again. Can you help?
Tree climber/cutter Needed
I recently purchased a cottage in Twin Lake, MI very close to Fremont. I have 2 HUGE oak trees that need to be removed. A neighbor mentioned that several years ago he had an Amish gentleman clear his lot for only the use of the wood. He was from Fremont. I’m looking for someone who’s interested in doing this for me. 2 60+ Oak trees. Take all the wood for yourself. If anyone knows of anyone who might be interested please contact me via email or cell phone 989-494-3016. Thank you.