The Chicago Tribune offered a story today about the Amish settlement near Kalona, Iowa. Â I've been through Kalona, but never really explored it as I would like to. Â Kalona is Iowa's largest Amish settlement and for a long time it was the main Plain place in the Hawkeye state, but the Amish population has really grown there over the past 10 years or so. Â Click here to read The Tribune's piece about Kalona.
Denise
Kevin,
Just thought this might be of interest to you. Just traveled Hwy. 34 (southern Iowa) over the weekend and there are now "horse drawn vehicle" signs newly posted. But not the usual Amish buggy signs. This is around the town of Lucas and Corydon, and I observed buggies at farms north of Chariton. I believe this groups' origins were Hazleton. I have also seen an Amish buggy and gentleman in Osceola, where the Amtrak regularly stops. There are also a few making a new start over by Lake Delhi.
Kevin
Denise, thank you for this info! It's exciting and interesting to me to see the sudden Amish growth in Iowa. I'm familiar with the new community by Lake Delhi....If you ever can take any pics of those newly erected signs, please share! Thanks! - Kevin
Denise
News article in the Gazette today on Iowa Amish: http://thegazette.com/2012/04/22/new-amish-community-springs-up-in-delhi-area/
Jasmine Carlson
Grrr, can't read the Tribune article as it wants me to sign up as a new subscriber. We were in Kalona just two weeks ago today and I cannot wait to go back again. It's 120 miles from our home but we try to visit as often as possible. Their baked goods are out of this world (try a peach pie Kevin) and their two country stores are really nice. A good cheese factory is near one of the grocery store (which will be housed in a new larger building soon). So much to see and do there. I am lucky to live so close....
Kevin
Jasmine, weird...another person said the Trib piece asked them to subscribe, but I never got that message. Sorry about that. Your journey to Kalona sounds awesome, if you took some pics, email me and I'll post them!