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The 10 Biggest Amish Communities (2019)
Half of them are in Indiana. Two apiece in Pennsylvania and Ohio. And one in Illinois. The list of the top 10 largest Amish settlements doesn’t change much from year-to-year. These places generally have similar steady growth, and relatively few people leaving. Photo by Don Burke Still, I like to do a fresh post from time to time on the largest communities. The last came…
The two Lancaster Counties
An imaginary line runs through Lancaster County. Some say it follows the route of highway 30, the old Philly artery which bisects the county. This theoretical divider splits the settlement’s Amish into conservative and more progressive groupings. The north-south division may not be that cut-and-dry, but it is a real thing. Some say a stricter Ordnung and less contact with outsiders tend to make southern…
Odds and ends from Lancaster County
A couple quick observations from Lancaster County: I recalled today how Amish usually try to switch to English whenever English people are around. I was talking to an Amish guy today and one of his friends walked up to ask for help working on the school playground. Obviously the most comfortable tongue would be PA Dutch, but, seeing I was there, he chose to speak…

A Visit to the Amish of New Wilmington, PA (19 Photos)
Don Burke, who last month shared with us a visit to the Amish of Ethridge, Tennessee, is back with photos from the community at New Wilmington in western Pennsylvania. This time, Don’s wife Pam joins him for a little commentary on their visit. I’ve had the chance to visit New Wilmington a couple of times, the first time 10 years ago. I made it the topic of…
Fending off the city folk
Most Amish have a fairly healthy attitude toward tourism–and tourists can mean different things to different Amish–a slight annoyance for some, a significant profit source for others, a chance for an interesting conversation for another bunch. Lancaster Amish by far have the most to deal with when it comes to visitors, though if you get out of the heavily-trafficked areas such as Amish tourism capital…
Buggy signs, part 2
After regretting (on the original buggy sign post) that we had no Allen County, Indiana sign, reader Torey has kindly shared this photo, taken near the town of Grabill. You may be aware that Amish in Allen County are considered “Swiss Amish”. Swiss Amish differ in a few ways from most other Amish (most Amish are considered to be of “Pennsylvania German” ethnicity). Swiss Amish…
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4 Comments
Very nice photo. Great composition. It should become a classic.
Thanks John!
I just wanted to say what an awesome site this is!! I was raised and lived among my Amish grandparents for most of my early years and I can tell you first hand the wonderful acceptance and love they have for me. As a people, they taught me alot and still do. Their quiet ways of living amongst the outside world, all make us envious. I feel honored to have lived with them and seen first hand the lives of these gentle people.
Thanks for the kind comments Shelly and glad you enjoy it!