Michigan Amish Communities
Michigan is home to a number of Amish communities, some of which are relatively young. Others have gone extinct over the years.
The climate in the Upper Peninsula can be particularly challenging for fledgling Amish settlements. This is especially true in northern Michigan, where Luce County has a long history of failed Amish settlements.
Hillsdale County
Hillsdale County is located in south central Michigan, bordering Indiana and Ohio. Its name comes from the hills and dales that are found in the surrounding countryside. The city of Hillsdale is the county seat for this area and is also home to Hillsdale College, which is a private liberal arts college.
In addition to its beautiful scenery, Hillsdale has several attractions that visitors can enjoy. Its downtown area is full of historic buildings, and its residential streets are lined with dozens of Victorian homes. The town is a great place to walk around and explore its historical treasures.
If you’re a fan of apples, you’ll love visiting K’s Acres Orchard. It offers an extensive variety of fruits, and you can also get maple syrup and fruit-flavored vinegar from the orchard.
The orchard also features a berry garden where you can pick your own berries. This is a fun way to spend time with your family.
Another place to visit is Carpenter Lake, which is a popular destination for fishing, swimming, and watercraft activities like kayaking and canoeing. The lake has miles of shoreline to offer, and there are plenty of picnic areas.
You can also take a trip to Allen Antique Barn, a local business that sells furniture and home accessories. This is a great place to find something unique for your home or to give as a gift.
When you’re hungry, there are many restaurants in Hillsdale that you can enjoy. One of the best burger places in the county is Olivia’s Steakhouse. It’s a short walk from campus, and it offers all the typical BBQ fare.
If you’re a student, there are a few places in Hillsdale where you can grab a cup of coffee with your friends. Jilly Beans is a local coffee shop that serves drinks and baked goods. They also have a large selection of books, so it’s an ideal place to study with your friends.
You can also play a round of golf at Hillsdale Golf and Country Club. It’s a fun place to spend time with your family, and it has an array of amenities that will make you feel right at home. It’s also a great spot to meet new friends.
Lenawee County
Lenawee County is home to charming small towns and pristine lakes that offer weekend escapes within a short drive of Detroit, Ann Arbor and Toledo. From family-friendly festivals to a day spent sampling local wines and beer, there is always something for everyone in Lenawee County.
History buffs will find plenty to love in the historical museums of Adrian and Tecumseh, each with collections tracing a portion of the area’s past. The county’s largest museum, the Lenawee County Historical Society Museum, resides in a Richardson Romanesque building resembling a castle and contains more than 40,000 objects that cover local history from the mid-1800s to present. The museum also houses a large collection of documents, photographs and postcards.
The museum’s most impressive collection is devoted to Laura Smith Haviland, a woman who was an abolitionist, teacher, author, Civil war nurse, temperance reformer and women’s suffragist. A statue of her stands outside the Lenawee County Historical Society’s museum and her stories are told through plaques on display.
One of the best things to do in Lenawee County is to visit the botanical gardens, spanning many acres and offering hiking and biking trails with paved roads. The botanical garden also features a full green house and Bonsai exhibit.
Another popular attraction in the county is the Michigan International Speedway, which thrills NASCAR racing fans each summer. It’s located in the Irish Hills and has a two-mile oval that attracts top competitors from across the country.
Visitors to the area can also savor the taste of some of the state’s finest wines, gathered from southeast Michigan farms and vineyards. Follow the Pioneer Wine Trail through Lenawee County to the towns of Brooklyn, Tecumseh and Adrian to sample Rieslings and Pinot Grigios from Cherry Creek Cellars, Black Fire, Pentamere and Flying Otter.
A visit to the county’s thriving arts complexes is also recommended, including the Croswell Opera House in Adrian and the Tecumseh Center for the Arts. Both venues host live musical performances, dance recitals and plays by professional theatre companies from around the world.
The Lenawee County government is a vital part of the community, delivering services such as police and fire, city planning and building and zoning, and ensuring that residents are safe and secure. The county also operates the jail, maintains rural roads and serves as a liaison with other municipalities and the state in the provision of social services.
Branch County
Branch County is home to several Amish settlements, including Camden and Reading. They are both founded by Swiss Amish who arrived from Allen County, Indiana.
The Amish are known for their strict religious beliefs and a commitment to live without modern conveniences, such as indoor plumbing, electricity or hydraulic power. They dress in plain clothes and use horse-drawn buggies to travel long distances, relying on horses to plow the ground and harvest crops.
There are also a number of Amish-owned businesses in Branch County, many of which specialize in building and manufacturing. These businesses have a strong presence in the local economy, providing jobs and contributing to the county’s economic development.
Despite their traditional ways of life, there are many young Amish people who choose to break with their religious tradition and go outside the church. This is a trend that is occurring in more and more conservative Amish communities across the country.
One of the most prominent examples of this trend is Helmuth, a member of the Amish community in Jerome. He makes kitchen cabinets for a living and works with power tools in his own shop. He has recently decided to leave the Amish religion to marry and have children, a decision that has caused quite a stir in his community.
Another Amish group that has become more progressive is the Osseo-Pittsford settlement, which was founded in 1997 by a group of Amish from Gladwin County (northern Michigan). Like Camden and Reading, they were established as a response to the dairy industry’s collapse, but now their main crop is corn and soy.
The Amish also have a growing interest in alternative medicine and natural health practices, such as eating a plant-based diet and taking herbs. This is largely due to their belief in the healing powers of plants and the need for a more natural approach to health care.
In addition to the Amish, there are a number of non-Amish families who reside in this area. Some of these are new residents to the state who have moved to this part of Michigan for job opportunities or because they have relatives in the area.
Oscoda County
Oscoda County is located in northern Michigan and is a great destination for vacationers. It’s known for its beaches and other attractions. It is a popular fishing destination for both locals and tourists alike, and there are a variety of things to do in Oscoda.
The township of Oscoda is home to the beautiful Oscoda Beach Park, which has been named one of the top beaches in Michigan by National Geographic Traveler. This secluded, pristine beach is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful day in the sun. The township also offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants and activities.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out the Lakewood Shores Resort. This luxurious hotel offers spacious rooms with stunning views of Lake Huron and the surrounding area. It has a restaurant and a bar where you can relax after a long day of adventure.
You can also enjoy a leisurely walk around the beautiful footed pond that surrounds the resort. This area is also home to a number of natural springs, making it the ideal spot for nature lovers to enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
For those who love to explore, you can go on a hike at the Highbanks Trail. This is a 7-mile trek that passes through the beautiful landscape and takes you along the banks of the Au Sable River. You can even take a dip in the refreshing waters of the river.
Oscoda is also an excellent spot for birdwatching. You’ll be able to see some of the most rare birds in the country as they fly through the area. You can also visit the Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area if you want to watch nature at its finest.
Another great attraction in Oscoda is Largo Springs, which is a natural spring that features cascading water that naturally flows from the ground. This is a must-see for nature enthusiasts, and it is also a great way to get some exercise on a warm summer day.
It’s also the eastern gateway to snowmobiling in the state of Michigan, and you can rent a snowmobile from the staging area at Grass Lake Road. The area is accessible by vehicle and has restrooms.
