All Things Amish–Shipshewana
On Saturdays, I’m sha
ring some of my favorite spots in Shipshewana, Indiana … the setting for Falling to Pieces and my upcoming release, A Perfect Square.
We don’t think of an Amish community as being the home of Native American Indians, but Shipshewana was the name of the Chief of the Potawatami Indians who had settled in the area. In Falling to Pieces, I wrote a scene where Callie is sitting on a hill (with her head between her knees) as she looks over at the coffee shop. Anyone remember that scene? She’s close to the monument in this picture, though it’s not actually on a hill. I needed it to be a hill so she could see what’s happening! : ) Here’s what the website says about the name SHIPSHEWANA:
Shipshewana/LaGrange County was once home to the Potawatami Indians. The first white settlers came from the east to establish communities in this Midwestern wilderness in the early 1830’s. Howe, the former county seat, was settled in 1834 as Mongoquinong, and later Lima. The town’s name was eventually changed to Howe in honor of John B. Howe, one of the founders of the community’s first bank. Mr. Howe’s mansion now houses the rectory and administration building for Howe School.
You can learn more about the history of the town here, but of course the best way to learn is to visit. : )
V~
ps – you still have time to enter last Tuesday’s contest. I’ll draw a name tomorrow evening. Just click back to Tuesday’s blog post using the back arrow at the top of the page.
So interesting as I see these pictures a small part is coming back to me and it was close to 20 years ago that my husband and I went there for our visit and I am hoping to go back again. Thank-you for all the interesting things you are sharing with us I really do enjoy it.
Geri Kelley
Gkkel@aol.com
geri, I see the pics, and I want to go back too!
Have a great weekend.
I would love to go to Shipshewana, maybe this summer, it just sounds so interesting and I would love to visit with the Amish ;~))
Lois, I promise you would love Shipshe. Very relaxing place to vacation.
I love visiting Shipshewanee….it is one of the paradises that God put on this earth…Stayed at a B&B for several days. Visited home of an Amish family. They made my sister and I dinner….it was awesome. Shipshewanna also has one of the largest flea market/craft sale I’ve ever seen. And if you enjoy dinner theatre’s…well, you’ve come to the right place….I love Shipshewanee….and I will return!!!
Thanks for sharing, interesting history, would be great to go there in person..I’ll add it on to “bucket list”, lol.
janie … You sound like me. Lol I think I need a bigger bucket!
I love the name seemed just right for your two books. How much longer for your “A Perfect Square.”
nancy, I.ll be giving away advanced reader copies at the American Library Association mid.winter convention in Dallas next weekend. I can.t wait to have a copy in my hands.
they should be in bkstores mid….late March.
I’m very lucky to live close to Shipshewana. It’s less than an hour drive from where I live. The flea market is fun but I like going on days when it is closed because there is not so much traffic. I like to shop at Yoder’s and I usually buy a raisin pie at the bake shop behind the Bed and Breadfast. My mom made raisin pies and these are just as good! Can hardly wait until spring.
I also like to shop at Calico Point in Goshen. It is run by Menonite ladies.
Oh, you ARE lucky! And I need to check out that shop in Goshen. : )
Just stumbled onto this page and it is wonderfull.I have for years now been interested in amish for years now.Live in Mo.and see them around now and then. also shop at a Min. store not far away, it is awesome, get so much I can’t find elsewhere.Love it so much.great food!!! Glad I found your page. I will follow it.Feel vert blessed,thank you very much. Jolela R. Van Dyne
Jolela, I’m glad you stumbled on my page. : ) If you’re on facebook, stumble on that page as well … as we’re pretty active over there. Blessings to you and your family this Lord’s day.
When does your book come out? Any scenes of the huge craft fair in Shipshe? or the Flea Market? Must…have…book! Sorry, what was I saying?
For everybody who just said, “Oh, I have to go there now”, I really recommend the Heritage Trail Driving Tour. If you go to the visitors center in Shipshe, or to the visitors center at Amish Acres, you can get a cd and pop it into the player in your car as you drive. It takes you to several towns in the area, and since you can pause it, you can time it to your own pace – get out, explore Shipshe or Middlebury, go for lunch, etc. For food,mostly avoid the tourist traps – hit the small places. I seem to remember a place called the Mediterranean at the south end of Middlebury. Down home food, looks like a greasy spoon, but I saw more kapps and broad brimmed hats in there than anywhere else in town. That being said, must stop for a nice dinner at the Blue Gate. The food’s worth it. Hubby still owes me a birthday dinner and a carriage ride there!
I also love the quilt shops, and wish I lived closer – I want to start taking some quilting classes. I also need to take care of my grandma’s, great granny’s, and great great grandmother’s quilts. If anybody could help me it would be people for whom quilting is a family work of love.
Judy, thanks for pointing out some great spots in Shipshe (some I’ll highlight over the next few Saturdays – so be sure and stop back by). Blessings!
Oh, almost forgot… The biggest draw for me in Shipshe? The sound of rush hour traffic!
You mean the Clip-Clop? : )
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