The state of West Virginia is a beautiful tapestry of topography and culture. Splendid in rural isolation, and the state is a world unto its own in many ways. It has a little bit of everything (besides a beach), cities with opportunity and commerce, and stark rural beauty. The Amish don't often come to mind when people think of West Virginia, and it is true that the Plain people have been slow to settle here. But there is at least some Amish presence.
❓ Why Have The Amish Have Been Slow to Settle In West Virginia?
The main issue is the land. Farming has traditionally and historically been the way the Amish make a living and West Virginia's rolling, rugged coal country isn't often conducive to that.
Proximity is also an issue. Over the years many Amish have moved westward from Pennsylvania and if they are going to both uprooting themselves and starting from scratch somewhere, might as well go farther than West Virginia!
🗺️ Where Are The Amish Communities in West Virginia?
This is list, I am sure, is not all encompassing, generally gleaned from published reports and the Amish newspaper, The Budget. Here is a list of Amish settlements in West Virginia, if you know of any not on this list, let usk know!
Letart: This is the largest Amish settlement in the state with over 100 residents. This community is nestled in a bend in the Ohio River on the western side of the state.
Gap Mills
Phillipi: This settlement is unusual in that the Amish were expressed courted to come to the area by non-Amish economic officials. From a local publication:
Barbour County, particularly its county seat of Philippi, has been openly courting young Amish families from Pennsylvania and Ohio, trying to induce them to move into the Mountain State and set up businesses. The promoters also hope that the distinctive dress and customs of the Amish will start attracting tourists to visit the economically struggling area.
Reggie Trefethen, the director of business development for Barbour County, decided to take a new approach to economic development. Instead of visiting corporate managers and trying to convince them to move their factories or stores to the mountains, he has been visiting Amish families with a similar message—move to our area and your business will prosper.
During his visits in the shops and homes of the Amish, he has been seeking to convince them to resettle in Philippi or in the surrounding rural area.
I am not all that familiar with what Amish businesses are in Philippi now. One Amish writer for the Amish newspaper, The Budget, talked of helping to make "100 cream sticks" for a local store. Wow, those sound good!
Forest Hills (Summers County): small Amish community, but a handful of Amish businesses here (see below)
Ripley
🛒 Amish Businesses In West Virginia
Gap Mills, WV - Kitchen Creek Bakery, 5510 Sweet Springs Valley - This is an Amish-Mennonite run bakery offering homemade bread, pepperoni rolls, and more!
Gap Mills, WV: Cheese 'n' More, 5521 Sweet Spring Valley Rd., Gap Mills, WV. (304) 772-5211.Bulk food goods, deli, furniture.
An authentic Amish store in West Virginia, just watch out for the funky hours!
Forest Hills, WV, - Shady Hillside Variety Store (& Kountry Krust Bakery)
11 Grampys Lane, This is a classic Amish variety store and bakery, probably as authentic as you will find in West Virginia, just watch out for the irregular hours. But if you can make it, you'll be rewarded with an authentic experience!
🥄 Amish Appalachian Cooking
Whenever the Amish move to a new area, they tend to pick up the regional food specialties, whether that is huckleberries in Montana or seafood in Delaware.
In West Virginia, ramps are a popular springtime food that can be foraged in the woods. They are like wild onions, and then you have these delicious cathead biscuits!
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