8 Historical Facts About How The Amish, An Entire Culture Of People Already Distanced From Society, Came To Indiana
This history of how the Amish came to Indiana is little-known to most Hoosiers. These culturally different people who live on the edges of society have been in our country and state for decades, but how did each Amish community become established? Scroll on to learn about the major groups in the state.
1. The Amish in Indiana migrated from Pennsylvania and are mostly made up of Swiss, German, Mennonite, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania Amish.
2. The community of Amish in Lagrange-Elkhart Counties is the largest in the state and the third-largest in the nation. It is home to about 20,000 residents spread across 140 congregations.
4. Adams County is home to the second-largest Amish community in the state. It was founded in 1850 by Swiss Amish who are known for their very conservative customs and practices.
5. Nappanee is Indiana's third-largest settlement and is home to the state's most popular Amish attraction, Amish Acres. It is debatably the earliest Indiana Amish settlement as it is believed to have begun in 1839.
8. Indiana is home to the most Amish settlements with more than 10 church districts, making the Hoosier State one of the best places to visit for a taste of the Amish life.
Have you ever visited an Indiana Amish community? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
