Guide to the Lyndonville, New York Amish Community

Discover the heart of New York's apple country where traditional Amish life flourishes just miles from Lake Ontario

Nestled in the fertile plains of Orleans County, New York, the Lyndonville Amish community represents one of the state's most vibrant and rapidly growing plain settlements. Just three miles from the southern shore of Lake Ontario, this New Order Amish community has transformed the local landscape since its founding in 1998, bringing traditional values, entrepreneurial spirit, and agricultural expertise to western New York's apple country.

Community Overview

Founded: 1998
Location: Orleans County, New York (near Lyndonville village)
Affiliation: New Order Amish
Population: Approximately 35 family units (as of 2014)
Districts: Two church districts
Primary Industries: Apple orchards, nurseries, agriculture, small businesses

The Lyndonville settlement began when five families from Holmes County, Ohio moved to the area within just three weeks in spring 1998. These pioneering families were drawn by affordable farmland, the opportunity to maintain their conservative church setting, and the chance to serve as witnesses in a small community. The area proved ideal for a horse-and-buggy community, with receptive neighbors and suitable terrain.

What Makes Lyndonville Special

Apple Heritage
The Lyndonville area is renowned for its exceptional apple orchards, producing varieties including Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Ginger Gold, JonaGold, Gala, and Empire apples. The Empire apple, New York's state apple, is a hybrid of Red Delicious and McIntosh varieties. This agricultural focus aligns perfectly with Amish farming traditions and has become central to the community's identity and economy.

New Order Amish Values
The Lyndonville community practices New Order Amish traditions, which tend to be more progressive than Old Order groups while maintaining core Amish values. This includes allowing certain modern conveniences while preserving traditional farming methods, craftsmanship, and community-centered living.

Entrepreneurial Spirit
The settlement has been praised for economically invigorating the area through small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. Local residents have welcomed the Amish families, appreciating how they've cleaned up abandoned farmsteads and made them productive again.

Community Structure

Church Leadership
As of 2014, the community was led by bishops Roger D. Yutzy and Matthew Graber, overseeing two districts with 35 family units total.

Education
The community operates two schools:

• Apple Grove School - Established in 1998 at the eastern edge of the community
• Pleasant Plains School - Founded in 2002

Both schools follow traditional Amish educational practices, typically covering grades 1-8 with an emphasis on practical skills, basic academics, and community values.

Businesses and Shopping

The Lyndonville Amish community offers several authentic shopping experiences for visitors:

Schlabach's Nursery

2784 Murdock Road, Medina, NY 14103
Phone: (585) 798-6198

Run by the Schlabach family (featured in our apple cobbler recipe!), this nursery specializes in over 50 varieties of heirloom apple trees shipped nationwide. Originally established in Ohio in 1991, the family expanded their operation after moving to New York where they found more land. They collaborate with Cornell University on test-growing new apple varieties, making them a unique destination for fruit tree enthusiasts.

What to expect: Heirloom apple trees ($15-18 each), fruit tree varieties, grafting supplies, disease and pest control products. Cash or check only. Call for catalog - no website available.

J.C. Miller Company General Store

Morrison Road, Lyndonville, NY 14098

This authentic Amish community general store offers a classic shopping experience with "a little bit of everything." It's particularly known as a quilter's paradise.

What to expect: Over 1,000 different quilting and apparel fabrics, Christian books, hard-to-find kitchen tools, toys, crafts, and unique gift items. Also houses Lake Breeze Bicycle Shop.

Dutch Country Market

12201 Roosevelt Highway, Lyndonville, NY 14098

A comprehensive Amish market featuring multiple departments for a complete shopping experience.

What to expect: Fresh bakery items, deli selections, bulk foods, seasonal produce, handmade quilts, birdhouses, Adirondack chairs, and other Amish-made décor. Google reviewers give this place high marks, here is what one said:

Very nice building and they have a decent amount of goods to purchase. They also make/sell glazed donuts, apple fritters, and fry pies which were all very good. Be aware, however, that they don't sell all those every day. The sign said they sell fritters every day but the glazed donuts are sold Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday and the fry pies are sold Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday. Solution is just go on Saturday when they sell everything!

Yoder's Country Cupboard

Small Amish-run store outside Lyndonville village

A intimate country store offering locally made goods and traditional Amish products.

Greenhouse and Garden Center

12197 Roosevelt Highway, Lyndonville, NY 14098

Seasonal greenhouse operation specializing in plants and gardening supplies.

What to expect: Annuals and perennials, hanging baskets, bedding plants, vegetable seeds, shrubs and plants. Special mum sales August through October.

What to Buy

Specialty Foods:

• Fresh apple butter (sometimes served at church instead of traditional peanut butter spread)
• Homemade applesauce and apple pie filling
• Fresh-pressed apple cider (Gala apples "press out really nicely")
• Canned goods and preserves
• Fresh baked goods from Amish kitchens

Crafts and Furniture:

• Handmade quilts
• Wooden furniture including Adirondack chairs
• Birdhouses and outdoor décor
• Handcrafted toys
• Baskets and pottery

Plants and Trees:

• Heirloom apple tree varieties
• Seasonal plants and flowers
• Vegetable seeds and gardening supplies
• Shrubs and perennials

Seasonal Highlights

Spring (March-May):

• Apple tree planting season
• Greenhouse operations in full swing
• Fresh spring produce available
• Maple syrup production

Summer (June-August):

• Peak growing season for orchards
• Fresh vegetables and produce
• Outdoor markets and stands
• Community activities

Fall (September-November):

• Apple harvest season - peak time to visit!
• Fresh apple cider and apple butter production
• Mum sales at greenhouses
• Beautiful autumn colors throughout the orchards

Winter (December-February):

• Limited business hours
• Indoor crafts and quilting
• Planning season for spring planting
• Cozy atmosphere at general stores

Getting There

Location: The Lyndonville Amish community is centered around Lyndonville village in Orleans County, New York.

From Buffalo: Take I-90 East to Exit 48A (Pembroke), then follow local roads north to Lyndonville area (approximately 45 minutes)

From Rochester: Take I-90 West to Exit 48 (Batavia), then follow Route 63 north through Lyndonville (approximately 45 minutes)

From Niagara Falls: Take Route 31 or 104 east to Route 63, then north through Lyndonville (approximately 1 hour)

GPS Note: Use Lyndonville, NY 14098 as your destination. The village sits on Route 63, and most Amish businesses are located on rural roads surrounding the village.

Visiting Tips

Best Times to Visit:

• Fall (September-October) for apple harvest season
• Spring (April-May) for nursery operations and fresh planting
• Monday through Saturday (businesses closed Sundays)

What to Bring:

• Cash or checks (most businesses don't accept credit cards)
• Reusable bags for purchases
• Camera for scenery (but respect Amish privacy - don't photograph people)

Driving Considerations:

• Watch for horse-drawn buggies on rural roads
• Drive slowly and cautiously, especially on narrow country roads
• Allow extra time for slow-moving traffic
• Be patient and respectful when sharing the road

Respect and Etiquette:

• Don't photograph Amish people (it's against their beliefs)
• Respect private property and signs
• Keep conversations friendly but don't ask overly personal questions about their lifestyle
• Be patient if service seems slower - quality craftsmanship takes time

Local Attractions Beyond Amish Businesses

Village of Lyndonville:

• Johnson Creek waterfall running through downtown
• Veterans Memorial Park
• Historic Jackson Blood cobblestone house (National Register of Historic Places)
• Yates Community Library summer concert series (Monday evenings)

Nearby Orleans County Attractions:

• Lake Ontario shoreline (4 miles north)
• Historic Erie Canal sites
• Apple orchards and fruit stands
• Shoe Tree on Foss & Morrison Roads (local landmark)

Annual Events:

• Lyndonville 4th of July celebration with large fireworks display
• Summer concert series at Yates Community Library
• Various seasonal festivals throughout Orleans County

Planning Your Visit

Half-Day Visit (2-3 hours):

• J.C. Miller Company General Store for quilts and gifts
• Dutch Country Market for fresh foods and baked goods
• Drive through rural areas to see farms and orchards

Full-Day Visit (6-8 hours):

• Morning: Schlabach's Nursery for apple trees and gardening
• Midday: Dutch Country Market for lunch and shopping
• Afternoon: J.C. Miller Company and other shops
• Late afternoon: Drive scenic rural roads, visit village of Lyndonville

Multi-Day Visit:

• Combine with visits to other New York Amish communities
• Explore broader Orleans County and Lake Ontario region
• Stay in nearby Rochester or Buffalo for extended exploration

The Community Today

The Lyndonville Amish settlement represents a successful example of how plain communities can integrate with and benefit their surrounding areas. Since 1998, these families have transformed abandoned farmsteads into productive operations, contributed to the local economy through their businesses, and maintained their traditional values while adapting to their new environment.

The community's focus on apple production and heirloom varieties has made them valuable partners with institutions like Cornell University, bridging traditional farming knowledge with modern agricultural research. Their nursery operations ship products nationwide, making Lyndonville a significant center for heirloom fruit tree preservation.

Notable Community Member:
Gracia Schlabach and her family exemplify the community's values and success. Originally from Holmes County, Ohio, they established their nursery in Ohio in 1991 before expanding to New York. Gracia frequently shares traditional recipes and cooking techniques, helping preserve Amish culinary traditions while adapting to local ingredients like the abundant apple varieties that flourish in their new home.

The warm welcome the community received from local residents has created a model for successful Amish settlement expansion. As Gracia Schlabach noted, "People were glad to see abandoned farmsteads cleaned up and made productive again. We received a very good welcome."

This small but thriving community continues to grow and adapt while maintaining the core values that define Amish life: simplicity, hard work, community support, and stewardship of the land. For visitors, it offers an authentic glimpse into traditional Amish life set against the backdrop of New York's beautiful apple country.