You may remember news last summer that researchers had conducted a nationwide Amish population survey. I just had a chance to read an interesting paper detailing their findings. Here are 5 of them: 1. New settlements On average a new settlement is founded every few weeks. This rate has been increasing. From 1990-2000, a settlement was founded, on average, every 5.33 weeks. 2000-2010 saw this…
Pennsylania Amishman John Stoltzfus has agreed to answer some reader questions. Last week’s concerned Amish medical care and use of vaccinations. As before, John notes that he will take a general approach to his answers, keeping in mind that communities differ. Today’s question is on Amish migration: How do settlements get started? Is it just people from previous settlements moving and starting them in other…
On this week’s buggy heater post, Don Curtis mentioned an unusual carriage which had appeared in his son’s Amish community in Ohio: He said that there is a family from Allen County, Indiana that has recently moved into the Belle Center community. They still drive an open two seater surrey. However, this winter they have placed a kind of enclosed cab over the back seat…
Al in KY recently reminded me of the photo quiz posts we did last year (wait, I guess I mean 2011, not quite last year anymore). He is right, it’s a nice time to do another. Below you’ll find three photos from three different Amish communities. Your clues: 1) Each is from a different geographical region of America 2) None is from the three largest Amish-population…
Last month we had news that a Swartzentruber Amish settlement in Pennsylvania would likely be coming to an end, with residents heading to greener pastures. One of the destination communities for families in the distintegrating settlement was said to be the Swartzentruber outpost in St. Lawrence County, New York, part of the state’s “North Country”. St. Lawrence County due to its remoteness has so far stayed…
There is just one Swartzentruber Amish community in Pennsylvania, and it looks like they will soon be gone from the state. Following well-publicized disputes over building codes, outhouses and SMV triangles, the Swartzentruber Amish community in Cambria County, PA, is dwindling. The settlement is down to 9 families (from a peak of 21), “with the rest planning to be moved by the end of next…
Today Brenda shares some photos that tie together a few of the topics we’ve covered lately, namely Amish business, buggy safety, and small communities. The shots below are from the Amish settlement in Carroll County, Tennessee. Carroll County is in western Tennessee, about a 2-hour drive in either direction from Nashville or Memphis. The Amish community is located near the towns of Huntingdon and Bruceton…
For people living in the East, Montana is one of those romantic Western states that make you think of big skies and freedom. And that also might explain why the state has attracted some Amish. The first permanent Amish settlers came to the Treasure State in the 1970s. Drawn by the scenery and hunting opportunities, Amish living back East visit Montana fairly frequently. The Montana…
This is another installment in the 10 views series, featuring photos from my recent visit to the Holmes County, Ohio Amish community. I’ve included a few comments and links to relevant posts that you might enjoy. Sugarcreek is technically in Tuscarawas County. It’s often the first little town visitors to the area pass through. Many of the buildings in Sugarcreek’s “Swiss Village” downtown area…
This one has been fun to ponder. The above is not something you’re supposed to see in Swiss Amish communities like those of Adams County or Allen County, Indiana. The Swiss Amish churches are known for a number of characteristic practices, including using only open carriages. This photo was taken in the Adams County settlement not too far from Berne. So what is going on? A…