Wisconsin Amish at Home in the “Dairy State”
Raising a barn, Amish-style, in Vernon County, Wisconsin. Photo: Dorothy Robson/Westby Times
Wisconsin, a state that saw the Amish arrive relatively late compared to other Amish-settled states, has a unique historical context that connects it to the Amish community.
Though the first Amish only began to settle in Wisconsin in the early 1900s, the Wisconsin Amish presence has grown to become the fourth-largest in North America.
Wisconsin has seven Amish settlements, each with at least 1,000 people.
The following communities are the largest in the state, including the Amish community at Kingston & Dalton, a scenic 15 and 20-minute drive from Adeline’s House of Cool. It sprawls over three counties: Green Lake, Columbia, and Marquette. It was founded in 1977 and has grown to 15 congregations today.
- Cashton – Monroe & Vernon County (founded 1966; 2,495 Amish)
- Kingston (& Dalton) – Green Lake/Columbia/Marquette County founded 1977, has grown to 2,240 Amish and 15 congregations today.
- Augusta – Eau Claire County (1978; 1,630 Amish)
- Platteville/Darlington – Lafayette County (1999; 1,375 Amish)
- Wilton/Tomah – Monroe County (1969; 1,310 Amish)
- Hillsboro – Vernon & Richard County (1985; 1,280 Amish)
- Granton – Clark County (1981; 1,270 Amish)
Communities of this size are generally always worth a visit. You’ll find numerous stores and other Amish-run businesses in these places.
Wisconsin has “smaller” but not necessarily small settlements, some with hundreds of Amish residents. Roughly two-thirds of Wisconsin’s Amish settlements consist of just one or two church districts (a church district is an Amish term for a congregation, typically 25-35 families in size).
- Loyal – Clark County (1989; 970 Amish)
- Fennimore – Grant County (1998; 825 Amish)
- Loganville/Hill Point – Sauk County (1988; 645 Amish)
- Wautoma – Marquette/Waushara County (1983; 580 Amish)
- Marion – Waupaca County (1995; 540 Amish)
- Readstown – Richland/Vernon County (1990; 490 Amish
- Chaseburg – Vernon County (1994; 460 Amish)
- Lavalle/Ironton – Sauk/Richard County (1988; 450 Amish)
- Bonduel – Shawano County (1987; 415 Amish)
- Franklin – Jackson County (2002; 400 Amish)
- Blair – Trempealeau County (1960; 400 Amish)
- Taylor – Jackson County (1997; 355 Amish)
In closing, Wisconsin has experienced high levels of in-migration from Amish communities in other states. Over the past two decades (since 2004), over two dozen Amish settlements have been founded in Wisconsin and all of them offer a very unique and memorable experience for everyone.
Source Credit
June 11, 2024
Amish in Wisconsin: 2024 Guide (60+ Communities)
By Erik Wesner