Why You Should Visit Shipshewana, Indiana

A picturesque drive to northern Indiana will bring you to Shipshewana, well known for its Amish and Mennonite community. Shipshewana is named for a Potawatomi Chief, and for a visitor, Shipshewana is a town rich in agriculture, character, and tourism. Over 500,000 people visit Shipshewana every year, taking in the Amish atmosphere or visiting the enormous flea market and auction. There are lots of festivals year round in Shipshewana and Christmas is an amazing time with beautiful Christmas decorations.

Shipshewana is a land rich in history. When the first white settlers came to the area in the 1830's, they found the Potawatomi Indians encampment near a picturesque lake. Their chief's name was Shipshewana, who had chosen the area for its resources: lush lands for gardens, swamps, woodlands, and the lake. In a horrific act of cruelty, the United States Government forced the Potawatomi, during the autumn of 1838 to leave their fertile home for the Osage River in Kansas. This event was called the Trail of Death. In 1839, Chief Shipshewana, in an act of defiance, returned to his homeland. He died two years later.

Without Native Americans to protest, the settlers came in to the town. At first, whites settled south of Shipshewana in Shore. Then, the railroad came, and the town of Shipshewana gained population. The Mennonites and Amish came to Shipshewana because of the same things that attracted the Potawatomi, fertile soil and lush woods. In 1841, the first Mennonite church was organized. By 1842, many families had chosen Shipshewana for their home. Amish settlers followed very soon after, agreeing that the area was a good place to live.

Today, visitors can learn about the Amish and Mennonites at Menno-Hof, an information center that has been put together specifically to help outsiders understand the way of life in Shipshewana. A visitor learns about the churches, the history of Amish and Mennonite persecution in England, and why Amish prefer to stray from modern conveniences. Shipshewana is one of the best places to learn about the Amish because LaGrange County is where one of the largest Amish and Mennonite communities can be found.

In Shipshewana, you can enjoy a buggy ride and farm tour complete with a home cooked meal to end your day, visit the old-fashioned children's puppetry Mousetrap Theatre, Head to a flea market with over 1,000 vendors (May through October on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), visit Scott Mill Park on the Pigeon River (a 100-acre island surrounded by a river and an old mill race), or even purchase a model horse from the Peter Stone Company.

The food is amazing in Shipshewana and surrounding areas. I about died when my daughter told me she wanted to find a McDonalds because her catfish had been fried with its head on, but with a quick flick of a fork, I filleted it out for her and we had the offending fish head taken from the table. The bread was incredibly yummy, and all dishes had oversized portions - real mashed potatoes! My wife was ecstatic. There are tons of restaurants offering this kind of a meal, so it's not hard to find excellent cuisine in Shipshewana. Even if you're only coming for the flea market, be sure to try some of the Amish food. You can even eat in an Amish home. If you want to take some Amish bread home, there is the Bread Box Bakery, with everything made from scratch, including a picnic lunch for your trip home.

One of the must-see exhibits at Shipshewana is the Blessing Quilt, a marvelous piece of handiwork made by local women as a blessing for those who come to Shipshewana. It is hanging in the lobby at Town Hall, which is located on Morton Street. The quilt is a stunning mix of color and pattern. It honors the Potawatomi Indians with appliqué in the center of the design resembling fire. The Potawatomi were known as "The Keepers of the Fire." A total of twenty-eight unique blocks adorn this quilt, a work that humbles any who have ever lifted a needle. Beautiful.

A trip to Shipshewana is a way to slow time. From the Amish tours to the rich atmosphere, Shipshewana is one of those places everyone should visit at least once. We plan to head down there this October for the Shipshewana Fall Crafters Fair. It just makes sense after seeing how beautiful the place is.