A brand-new Amish community has taken root in the hills around Friendsville, Maryland, and it is already reshaping this quiet Garrett County town with its blend of horse-drawn calm, serious craftsmanship, and remarkably good food. Tucked into the western corner of the state near the Youghiogheny River, the Friendsville area has long been known for rafting, mountain air, and country roads—now there are buggies on those roads, roadside stands at the crossroads, and a growing circle of visitors planning day trips specifically to explore “the new Amish community by the river.”amishamerica+1
A new chapter in Western Maryland
Maryland has only a handful of Amish settlements, most notably the long‑established communities in St. Mary’s County and around Oakland and Grantsville, so the decision by several families to found a new district near Friendsville is significant. According to recent population reports, the Friendsville settlement was first listed in 2024 with just a few families, making it one of the newest Amish communities in the entire state and part of a wave of nine new settlements founded across North America in a single year.facebook+4
The Friendsville Amish chose this corner of Garrett County for its relatively affordable land, existing agricultural base, and distance from heavy development pressures seen elsewhere in Maryland. Rolling pasture, second‑growth woods, and narrow backroads suit horse‑and‑buggy life, while proximity to the established non‑electric Amish at nearby Grantsville and the electric New Order group at Oakland provides spiritual and economic support.wikipedia+2
Local resident “Jim R.” sums up the shift: “You used to see mostly kayaks and pickup trucks on the road; now you’ll meet a buggy on the way to town. It feels like the clock turned back a few decades—in a good way.”
First impressions for visitors
Driving in from I‑68, visitors quickly notice neat white farmhouses, long bank barns, laundry lines, and the distinctive grey‑topped buggies associated with Amish groups tied historically to Lancaster County and western Pennsylvania. Fields are cultivated with teams of horses, and small hand‑painted signs mark lanes leading to bulk food sheds, produce stands, harness shops, and a few home bakeries.amishamerica+1
Travel blogger “Lena S.” described her first stop at a Friendsville farmstand this way: “We pulled over for eggs and left with bread, cookies, and half a bushel of apples. The children were shy but smiling, and their mother thanked us like we’d done her a favor by shopping there.” This quiet, non‑touristy feel is part of Friendsville’s charm; unlike polished commercial markets closer to the cities, most businesses here are family driveways with a bell, a cash box, and a notebook for tallying purchases.
Emerging Amish businesses in Friendsville
Because the settlement is new and still small, most enterprises are modest—yet they already echo the diverse mix of shops seen in older Maryland communities.visitstmarysmd+1
- Roadside produce stands: In season, visitors can expect sweet corn, potatoes, cabbages, beans, beets, and winter squash, along with brown eggs and sometimes broiler chickens.
- Bulk and baked‑goods sheds: Simple sheds or small shops sell 50‑lb bags of flour and sugar, oats, noodles, spices, and baking mixes alongside homemade breads, cinnamon rolls, and pies, much like Amish bulk outlets elsewhere in the region.discovernepa+1
- Harness and leather shops: Given the hilly terrain and reliance on horses, harness repair and custom leatherwork are natural fits and often serve both Amish neighbors and local English horse owners.amishamerica
- Woodworking and structures: Small shops producing lawn furniture, sheds, or cabin shells follow the pattern of other Maryland Amish businesses that market high‑quality wood products to visitors and regional buyers.thisnthatamishoutlet+2
One Friendsville hardware clerk reports, “You can tell their reputation is spreading—folks drive out from Morgantown and Uniontown to load up on baked goods and noodles for the month.”
A simple Amish “restaurant” experience
There is not yet a polished, commercial Amish restaurant with a neon sign in Friendsville, but visitors willing to plan ahead can experience home‑based meals very similar to those offered in Amish house‑restaurants in Pennsylvania and Ohio.reddit+2
Some families accept small groups by reservation for served, family‑style dinners in a home or converted shop, typically arranged via word of mouth or through a local contact in town. Menus change with the seasons, but common popular dishes match what travelers love across Amish country:visittheamish+1
- Roast chicken or meatloaf with mashed potatoes and rich brown gravy.
- Homemade chicken and noodles over creamy potatoes—arguably the most‑requested Amish comfort food.
- Buttered garden corn, green beans with ham, and pickled beets or chow‑chow as bright, tangy sides.
- Fresh baked white and wheat bread with apple butter or peanut butter spread.
- Pies and desserts: shoofly, apple crumb, berry, or pumpkin during fall, often served still slightly warm.
A recent guest from Virginia described their Friendsville supper: “There was nothing fancy about it—no printed menu, no décor beyond oil lamps and a long table—but every dish tasted like someone’s best Sunday dinner. We passed the bowls around until we couldn’t eat another bite, then they brought out pie.”
Another reviewer noted, “I’ve eaten at big Amish buffets in Ohio, but sharing a quiet meal in Friendsville felt much more personal. You hear about their gardens, their church, their neighbors—it’s a cultural experience, not just a plate of food.”amishamerica+1
How the new community fits into Maryland’s Amish story
Friendsville’s district joins Oakland and Grantsville as the third Amish presence in Garrett County, giving Western Maryland a uniquely dense cluster of plain communities compared with the rest of the state. Unlike the electric New Order group around Oakland, Friendsville appears closer in practice to the non‑electric, more traditional pattern seen in Grantsville and rural Pennsylvania—no grid power in homes, limited phone use, and strong emphasis on farming and small shops.groups.etown+2
Statewide, Maryland’s Amish presence is still small—roughly 2,000 people spread over just a few settlements—but continues to grow slowly as families look for less crowded, more affordable corners to farm. Population trackers note that Friendsville began with perhaps a dozen or so households and may add churches over time if land and local relations remain favorable. For tourists, this means now is an ideal moment to visit: the community is active and welcoming, but not yet over‑run with tour buses or commercialized attractions.amishamerica+2
A regional tourism writer summed it up: “If you want Lancaster‑style buggies without Lancaster‑level crowds, Friendsville is your sweet spot.”visittheamish+1
Practical visiting tips
- Go slowly and share the road. Narrow, winding roads are shared with horse‑drawn buggies; drivers should give plenty of space and avoid sudden passes.amishamerica
- Bring cash. Many roadside stands and home businesses operate on a cash or honor‑box basis—no cards, no apps.
- Ask before taking photos. As in other Amish areas, photographing people is discouraged for religious reasons; scenic barns and landscapes are fine, but always be respectful.amishamerica
- Look for handwritten signs. “Eggs,” “Baked Goods,” or “Harness Shop” may be the only clues that you’ve found a business lane.
- Plan meals ahead. If you’re hoping for a home‑style Amish dinner, arrange it through local contacts, a Friendsville visitor center, or a tour organizer working with the new settlement.reddit+1
For travelers who love discovering emerging Amish communities, Friendsville offers a rare combination of mountain scenery, genuinely off‑the‑beaten‑path culture, and some of the best simple cooking you’ll find anywhere.
- https://www.facebook.com/amishamerica/posts/2025-amish-population-over-400000-growing-nine-new-communities-were-founded-sinc/1219587566870084/
- https://www.facebook.com/amishamerica/photos/11-photos-giving-a-captivating-glimpse-of-an-off-the-beaten-path-amish-community/1220264710135703/
- https://www.facebook.com/amishamerica/photos/2025-amish-population-over-400000-growing-nine-new-communities-were-founded-sinc/1219587540203420/
- https://amishamerica.com/maryland-amish/
- https://www.friendsvillesquare.com/post/our-road-trip-to-the-real-friendsvilles
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish_in_Maryland
- https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/explore/museums-history/amish-mennonite/
- https://amishamerica.com/the-amish-population-has-grown-over-130-percent-this-century-2025-report/
- https://groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/files/2025/06/Amish-Pop-2025_by-state-and-county.pdf
- https://visittheamish.com/western-marylands-newest-amish-community-touring-garrett-countys-new-settlement/
- https://discovernepa.com/listing/the-amish-pantry/
- https://amishcountrystoreonline.com/bulk-foods/?page=12
- https://www.thisnthatamishoutlet.com
- https://amishamerica.com/amish-cabinets-virginia/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/lancaster/comments/1clnatm/eating_at_an_amish_houserestaurant/
- https://amishamerica.com/favorite-amish-restaurant/
- https://familydestinationsguide.com/homey-restaurants-ohio-amish/
- https://www.ohiomagazine.com/food-drink/article/12-restaurants-to-try-in-ohio-s-amish-country