Amish Communities

Mercer County, Pennsylvania Amish

Thought this might be a nice out-of-season shot to share, on yet another snowy day in my neck of the woods (and maybe yours, too). Rick offers us a pic from Mercer County, Pennsylvania, near the hamlet of Jackson Center, an hour north of Pittsburgh.   There are at present 3 Amish settlements in Mercer County, the oldest and largest settled in 1942, and having 5…

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The Amish & Haiti Benefit Auctions

Amish and Mennonites have been putting on annual auctions for the benefit of people in Haiti for many years now.  They take place in various locations across the nation, including communities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Florida, and Illinois. Furniture, quilts and other items are auctioned off at these large events. The Florida auction, held in Sarasota, is in fact taking place this weekend. The photos…

An Opinion On Puppy Mills – From A Lancaster County Local
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An Opinion On Puppy Mills – From A Lancaster County Local

Commercial dog breeders (also frequently described as puppy mills) have been in the news a lot lately. Recent changes in Pennsylvania law has made it difficult for breeders to operate, thus forcing many to begin to get out of the business. Opponents, most visibly in the form of activists such as Bill Smith of Main Line Animal Rescue, have made headlines with their sometimes dramatic…

Behalt: An Amazing Painting of Amish & Anabaptist History
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Behalt: An Amazing Painting of Amish & Anabaptist History

Behalt is the name of a pictorial history of the Anabaptists from the time of European beginnings through their existence in America.  Not only is it educational, it has been dubbed “the most exciting cyclorama in America”. Having only visited one cyclorama in America (the other – of the Battle of Raclawice in Poland being non-American and of a decidedly non-pacifist nature) I can’t say…

Union Grove and Yanceyville, NC Amish settlements

Union Grove and Yanceyville, NC Amish settlements

North Carolina is my home state, and not one known for having a large Amish population.  Amish have attempted to settle NC in the past, however, and today one settlement does exist, at Union Grove, a hamlet lying some miles west of Winston-Salem. Union Grove, which began in 1985 as a spinoff of the Guthrie, Kentucky community, is considered a New Order settlement.  Like its…

Kokomo, Indiana Amish

The Amish settlement at Kokomo, Indiana, founded 1848, is the third-oldest in Indiana.  Yet despite having been in existence for over 160 years, Kokomo remains a tiny settlement of just 2 church districts.  Meanwhile, other settlements founded in the state at roughly the same time have grown and thrived.  The Nappanee and Adams County settlements approach 40 and 50 church districts respectively, while the Elkhart-Lagrange…

The Top 10 Amish Settlements

The ten largest Amish settlements, by number of church districts, as of 2009: 10. Allen County, Indiana (Founded 1852; 19 church districts).  This Amish settlement located to the north of Fort Wayne is a Swiss-ethnicity community.  Open buggies are driven here;  the construction trade is popular.  Allen County Amish homes are often built of red brick, unlike those of most other Amish.  The three most…

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David Kline’s October

Ohio Amish bishop David Kline is an interesting person.  I’ve known David for a couple of years and fondly recall my last visit to his Ohio farm, and specifically some warm muffins and warmer companionship at the kitchen table.  David is also unusual as an Amish person in that he is a twice-published author. David’s descriptions of wildlife, farming, and rural living in Great Possessions…