Key Attractions
Shipshewana
Named after the local Potawatomi Chief who originally resided in the area, Shipshewana is now the hub of a thriving farming region and a major visitor draw. The town itself began when the S&MS Railroad constructed the Pumpkinvine Route (now a great walking trail) between Goshen, Indiana and Battle Creek, Michigan. After the route was completed in 1888, a railroad engineer laid out the town around the railroad stop. Residents of the tiny town of Shore that was located just a bit further south, began moving in. The first residence was constructed in 1889, the Methodist Church in 1890, and the Davis Hotel, now a collection of delightful shops, in 1891. A walk around Shipshewana following the colorfully painted signposts at each intersection is an absolute delight.
To reach the start of the Byway in town, exit Interstate-90 at Exit 121. Take IN-120 west in Howe, turn south on N 675 W, and take CR 250 N to travel into town. Alternatively, take IN 120 west to IN 5 and travel south into Shipshewana.
Menno-Hof
The Amish Mennonites in the region are descendants of the original settlers, all part of the Anabaptist movement that began in Switzerland in 1525. This group of believers, which ultimately divided into different sects, were convinced that state demands that all citizens be baptized as infants corrupted the church. They decided instead to baptize adults who could make a voluntary confession of faith (thus the word Anabaptist). Mennonites were named after Menno Simons, a Dutch priest who joined the movement in 1536. In 1693 a group led by Jacob Amman who believed that the Mennonites were losing their spiritual discipline and becoming too much like the world around them split from the Mennonites. A third group, the Hutterites, also began in the 1520s. Their beliefs caused all Anabaptists to be persecuted throughout Europe, leading to the decision to migrate to the United States. Menno-Hof, which reveals the stories of persecution, migration and the ultimate journey of these people to northern Indiana, is a must-see as you begin your journey on the Amish Backroads Byway.
510 South Van Buren Street, Shipshewana, IN 46565, 260-768-4117, M-Sat 10AM-5PM, Tours are available from 10AM to 3:45PM Adults $9.50/Family 2 Adults and Children $22.
Blue Gate Restaurant and Theater
Located right in the center of Shipshewana, the Blue Gate Restaurant is also the home to the Blue Gate Theater and Blue Gate Musicals. The theater features a variety of live performances and productions throughout the year. The musicals are a unique genre with a central Amish character whose stories intertwine the Amish and English worlds, creating intriguing dilemmas and soul-searching journeys – with lots of laughs along the way!
195 North Van Buren Street, Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-768-4725 Restaurant hours: M-F 10:30AM-8PM, Sat 7AM-8PM, Theater Shows generally begin at 4PM and 7PM, with ticket prices ranging from $15-$35, but show times do vary. Tickets for major performances such as the Jay Leno show range from $60 to $135.
Shipshewana Livestock Auction
If you have never experienced a live livestock auction, Shipshewana hosts one every Wednesday at 10AM. Farmers from all over the Midwest come to buy, sell, and trade, hay, feeder pigs, dairy heifers, dairy cows, feeder cows, veal, sheep, lambs, goats, and bulls. The Auction is also certified to handle organic beef and dairy cattle, a portion of the agriculture in LaGrange County that is a growing priority. Stop in to see the action in person.
345 S Van Buren St, Shipshewana, IN 46565
Yoder’s Department Store
It’s been quite some time since Ora and Grace Yoder opened their store in Topeka, IN in 1945, to serve local farmers who needed bib overalls, work shoes, and fabric for clothing and quilts. Now located in Shipshewana, the store, run by the third generation has been massively expanded. Items on offer now include everything from hardware, clothing, home decor, quilt fabrics, jeans, work shoes, to wool fabric and women’s tatted hankies. If you like well-crafted quilts, admire them hanging on all the walls at Yoder’s. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just ask. It’s probably in there somewhere.
300 S Van Buren St, Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-768-4887 M-Sat 8AM-5:30PM
Yoder’s Antique Farm Equipment
Amish farmer and fence builder Merv Yoder has been collecting 18th and 19th century farm machinery for decades. Yet, unlike most other collections of antique machinery, Mr. Yoder’s collection is all in working order. He has repaired, restored and otherwise rejuvenated every piece of the collection that now fills three barns, all organized by the date of the machine. Tours are available after 2PM, any day except Sunday and reservations can be made by calling for an appointment.
6450 W 275 N, Shipshewana, IN 260-768-4986
Buggy Lane Tours
Buggy Lane Tours has been guiding visitors through the LaGrange County countryside for nearly 40 years. Options include a 7-minute buggy ride in town, a 15-min buggy ride with narration about the history of the community, a 30-minute buggy ride through the countryside past Amish farms on the backroads, and a 20-minute buggy ride to a working 70-acre farm with time allowed to observe the dairy operation, horses working in the field, and more, along with the option of a traditional Amish meal. Drivers provide personal insights about growing up in the area, highlighting the notable white painted houses with laundry blowing in the breeze, golden corn fields, brightly colored flower gardens, and working Amish farms with stands selling homemade baked goods and homegrown vegetables. Call for reservations. Costs range from $8/adult for a buggy ride in town to $35/adult for the farm visit. A buggy ride to the farm and an Amish family dinner is offered for $56/adult.
140 Harrison Street, Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-350-1768
Amish Farms and Businesses
Amish farms, averaging 40 acres each, and a selection of the 375 Amish businesses in LaGrange County, are at the heart of the Amish Backroads Byway. Many Amish farmers still use horses instead of tractors to plow and plant their land and typically, a farm has no electricity. The combine science, technology, and experience to maintain their traditional farming methods that enables the land to be worked by a family who all contribute to its success. The Byway is dotted with a multitude of cottage businesses, many of which are located directly on their farms.
Das Dutchman Essenhaus
After Bob and Sue Miller moved west from Sugarcreek, Ohio in 1970, they purchased a property on U.S. 20 that was at the time a small 24-hour truck stop known as Everett’s Highway Inn. After a week of minor repairs and cleaning, they reopened January 4, 1971 as an Amish-style restaurant complete with Amish and Mennonite cooks and waitstaff. Today, this very successful complex includes a restaurant, still serving Amish Mennonite traditional meals, the Das Dutchman Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center with 89 guest rooms and a 4,000 square foot conference center, a collection of Village Shops, carriage rides, and a beautiful Quilt Garden in bloom between May and September each year.
240 US-20, Middlebury, IN 46540 574-825-9471, Restaurant and Bakery, Mon-Sat 6:30AM-8PM, Essenhaus Village Shops and The Quilt Shop, Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM,
