10 Views of Virginia’s Largest Amish Community
So here are ten (more) views from Virginia’s largest Amish community – in Charlotte County. I did a post like this five years ago. Some things have changed in this community, and some things haven’t. Let’s have a look.
As you approach the community from the south, a sign alerts you to be on the lookout for Amish buggies. Fifteen miles gives you a sense of the size of the community.
However, the Amish aren’t especially densely settled in this community. There are four church districts, and over 500 Amish people here.
And we soon see one of those Amish buggies out and about.
This buggy was on Germantown Road, which happens to be where an Amish variety stand is located. However, being a Monday, it wasn’t open.
I spotted the sign tucked behind a bush by the fence. Here’s a look at what they sell here from my last visit. They are open on Fridays and Saturdays.
Laundry was up at a lot of places in the community. Note the small log cabin-style phone shanty building by the end of the lane. You see a lot of these in this community.
Also note the solar panel. I recently watched a video that claimed Amish don’t use these, among other interesting (and incorrect) things 🙂
From inside an off-the-map Amish store in the community. It mainly serves Amish customers. You can see evidence of that in the large fabrics selection here. I picked up a few Christmas presents for family here.
On some days, they have fresh donuts at this place. But alas, this wasn’t one of those days. They also had a sign out by the road, which was down as well.
At the variety store, I picked up a community directory, which also contained a helpful map. Not all Amish directories have a map, but this one came in handy.
The currently empty auction building. They hold a regular produce auction, and, once a year, a school benefit auction.
On a previous visit, I happened to be here a day prior, when they were setting up and you could see all the things for sale. They also sell foods like sandwiches on auction days.
Counter view from inside a bulk foods store.
Not to end on a bad note, but unfortunately, someone did some target practice on this Amish buggy warning sign.
Sadly, I’ve noticed you do see these signs vandalized often enough, especially in smaller communities. I don’t think that reflects general sentiment towards the Amish in the area, though.
This community is just one of about 16 in the state. Virginia currently has the 14th-largest Amish population, with over 2,200 Amish. If you missed it, check out my visit to a “food-and-more” store in this community.


Target Practice on Signs
In rural central Virginia target practice on ALL signs is very common. Now on a Deer Crossing sign the marksman/vandal would likely aim for the deer. In this case looks like they missed the horse and buggy, maybe on purpose or maybe just an unskilled shot.
Yes definitely not necessarily an “anti-Amish” thing, though some might interpret it ominously. And not just rural VA, I guess some people think signs are put there to shoot at. Looks like this one took about seven shots at it.
LOCALES
BURKES GARDEN AREA AMISH, HIGHWAY 12 GOING FROM PETERSTOWN, WV …..western edge of Monroe County, WV. Rt 12 buggies have been seen. Reports are one Amish family remaining near Abingdon, VA. Other families moved away. One family possibly for religious reasons stayed.
Hi Amos, I didn’t quite understand. Are you saying Amish from Burke’s Garden are settling in West Virginia?
Amish
I love that the Amish make all there own clothes and to see the rows of fabric. My whole family
sews and I’ve always made my own clothes, clothes for my two sons when they were small and also the pajama pants for them.
We are missing so much and have lost so much of our culture. God bless the Amish/Mennonites for their faith and following the way God wants us to live.