Many of the people who ask me about the Amish think most of 'em live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Since the Amish settled in PA during the 1730s - and many Amish fiction books make PA their setting - I'm guessing that's why many people assume PA hosts the most. Not so.Truth is, the largest number of Amish settlements nationwide is in my home state - Ohio. (Tweet That)
According to a 2010 research, the Amish are migrating westward. Since 2010, I've seen more in our western United States than this map shows.
The Illinois tourism guide claims that Arthur, IL is the 4th largest Amish community in the nation. More accurately, Geauga County, OH is the 4th with Arthur placing 5th.
To my knowledge, there are no Amish in California. (Don't think of the TV show Breaking Amish: LA which simply takes their characters to CA for filming.) I personally know one ex-Amish gentleman who makes CA his home.
Mosie, whom we "adopted" as part of our family, was born/raised in upstate New York. That was one of my first learning curves - Amish live in New York?! Josh, Harvey, Monroe, Sarah, David, Uria, Noah and many of the others in my life grew up in Ohio.
A cluster of Amish Churches or families in one area is called a settlement. Harvey will say, "I grew up in the Lodi (northern Ohio) Settlement."
Copyright © 2013, Brenda Nixon.
How refreshing, a blog about the Amish that's actually factual!
ReplyDeleteWell, whoever you are, thanks for reading and leaving your comment. Please come back for more factual information and stories about the Amish.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised when I learned that there are Amish even in Canada and also that the further west you go, the less Amish in those areas. I'm wondering if the reason is related to farming, weather, or what?
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I watched the American Experience from PBS, posted on sidebar. I learned a lot, and I saw you in the short birthday segment. I'm happy for your work with the Amish. May God bless you.
ReplyDeleteDali, thanks for your comments. The Amish are finding that geographic differences affect farming. So it's a learning curve for them.
DeleteCathy, glad you learned from the PBS segment. I thought they handled it well although there was a ton cut out and probably on the edit floor. LOL Levi, who was featured in this special, has since moved to Iowa.
Dali, thanks for your comments. The Amish are finding that geographic differences affect farming. So it's a learning curve for them.
DeleteCathy, glad you learned from the PBS segment. I thought they handled it well although there was a ton cut out and probably on the edit floor. LOL Levi, who was featured in this special, has since moved to Iowa.
I love in Summit County, Ohio -- more or less between Holmes and Geauga Counties... I though Geauga was third, after Holmes County and Lancaster, PA. Now I'm wondering who is.
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