Among people like myself who study Amish settlements, Muddy Pond, Tennessee enjoys a sort of mythical status. The Amish and Mennonites are not homogeneous, monolithic groups. They are dynamic and constantly changing and Muddy Pond showcases some of the "variety" that is found in Plain communities.
Muddy Pond is located about 90 minutes east of Nashville and it's really more of an unincorporated community east of the town of Monterey. And most of the Amish and Mennonite influence is seen on aptly named Muddy Pond Road. That is where you will find an assortment of Plain-owned stores as you'll see by the picture of signs below.
Like many Plain communities, businesses are constantly coming and going (although the general store has been a mainstay), so the best way to enjoy Muddy Pond is just to go and explore.
The main Mennonite church is also on Muddy Pond Road.
❓ Is Muddy Pond an Amish community?
Muddy Pond is officially a Mennonite community, but, there is sort of a mish-mash of Plain people here: ex-Amish, people who still consider themselves Amish, people who want to join the Amish and plenty of Mennonites. I've not quite pinned down the theology of the community yet or its organizational structure.
There is a Mennonite church there that affiliates with Church of God in Christ Mennonite. This is a relatively small offshoot of the Mennonite church, claiming just over 20,000 members. There are actually two different Mennonite congregations, one more conservative and one more progressive, plus a variety of other Plain faiths.
Simplicity and modesty in clothing, personal possessions, and homes is embraced and Plain clothing is mandatory in the Church of God in Christ community, which for women means a mid-length dress always with sleeves, and a head covering. The headcovering for daily use is black and sits on the back of the head. A second black headscarf is required to be over the head when attending church.
Men do not wear a necktie in formal dress and otherwise their appearance resembles the look of a typical American businessman or other conservative Mennonites, in that they are dressed in a modest way.
But you'll also find people that have an Amish background in Muddy Pond. For instance, Troyer is name found here a lot and that has roots in the Amish church.
A video of 90-year-old Muddy Pond resident Katie Troyer and her yodeling attracted a following over the past decade. I was in touch with the family at one time and they said her maiden name was Schwartz, so she has Swiss Amish roots from Berne, Indiana. Not sure how she ended up in Muddy Pond, but what a gem this woman is. Click here to see the video
Update: Katie Troyer, the yodeler in the video and pictured here. passed away in 2023 at the age of 101.
🏪 Amish and Mennonite Businesses to Visit in Muddy Pond
Like most Plain communities, the best way to see and experience is through their public-facing businesses. You'll meet members of the Plain community, you'll contribute to their commerce by patronizing their stores, and you'll be able to discern differences between Muddy Pond and other Plain communities.
Here are some places to start:
Muddy Pond General Store, 3608 Muddy Pond Road. The store, which has been serving the Muddy Pond community for almost 40 years is the hub of the Plain settlement. You can usually find out what is going on in the area by visiting the store.
Here are some photos.
This is a classic Mennonite general store. You will find kitchen utensils, spices, oats, flours and baking goods here. Plenty of lunchmeat and cheese are sold at a counter. a September and October features a sorghum mill in operation.
This is a classic assortment of bulk foods and jellies, very typical of a Mennonite bulk food store.
Also visit, the Muddy Pond Variety Store at 4066 Muddy Pond Rd is another must-visit stop. The store has been run by the Guenthers, a Mennonite family, for generations. They feature homemade bread, cookies, fried pies, and sorghum. This is a super place to get a feel for the area's Plain people.
🚣♀️ Muddy Ponds in Muddy Pond
As the name implies, Muddy Pond is named after several muddy ponds that dot the hills in this part of Tennessee. Several are popular swimming holes on hot Tennessee summer days.
Bring your swimsuit, look for one of these swimming holes, and on a hot summer day, take a dip!
Leon
Can't swim at the swimming hole anymore people from Florida bought the land and closed the road
Kevin Williams
That is a shame, was there a lot of public discussion before that happened?