Stories from the Heart of Amish Country

Amish individuals do not possess photos of themselves because it’s believed that they may encourage vanity, which runs counter to their  religious ideals of community and equality. The dolls played with by Amish children are faceless for the same reason. The lack of a face or any other distinguishing characteristics also make the dolls “less […]

Happy Salt has been around since since 1985, a Shipshewana staple for almost 40 years! Kevin Horn is the owner of Shipshewana Spice Company, and Happy Salt was created by his parents. Kevin’s father worked as a professional in the food industry for many years, and created the Happy Salt blend using pepper, onion, garlic, […]

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and members of the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) presented 15 Hoosier Hospitality awards during a ceremony at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis on October 30th, for their high level of service in tourism-related jobs at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations. “Hoosier hospitality is at the core of this ceremony,” […]

Smile! The newest art piece in Shipshewana is a special one. The astounding 3D metal sculpture constructed by local artisan and metalsmith Christy Miller, of Countryside Creations, was made possible by a grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and is the third public art project to result from it. The first two are […]

Thanks to a grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Shipshewana now has another beautiful mural to admire in the Downtown Shopping District. It’s called “Greetings from Shipshewana.” Completed recently by artist Cassi Graber, the gorgeous and colorful design shows off the vivid local colors, as well as a few things that help make Shipshewana […]

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your life here in Shipshewana? A: What most people don’t know is that not only do I have a catering business and bakery but I also live on about 300 acres in Lagrange where I raise Beefalo and bale 110 acres of hay with my husband […]

The origins of the Davis Mercantile building can be traced back to 1891, when original owner Hezekiah Davis built a hotel near the train station to house travelers. What followed was more than 130 years of prosperity, growth, new ownership, relocation, the addition of retail enterprises, a devastating fire, uncertainty, rebuilding, ingenuity, new growth, and […]

Karen Weiland is a local Artist and the Project Manager for the Expansion of the Barn Quilt Trail throughout LaGrange County in 2024. You can read more about the project here. We asked Karen for a quick interview so people can learn a little more about her, and she kindly agreed. Q: Can you tell […]

The Fall Crafters Fair, located inside the Michiana Event Center, is an exhibition and celebration of our talented local artists and craftspeople, as well as the slower-paced culture of Shipshewana and the surrounding countryside. You’ll find artisans, vintage sellers, hand-made items, personalized gifts, and much more! Vendors surround talented musicians and entertainers, while on the […]

Indiana’s Amish Country Shipshewana and the LaGrange County area are known as Amish Country, Indiana, and are home to the third-largest Amish community in the United States. Although the comparative size of Amish Communities remains small compared to the rest of the United States, the Amish are one of our fastest-growing communities. It’s estimated that […]

There’s one from Dutch Creek Animal Farm.   And there’s one from Trading Post outfitters in Mongo.  

When people hear the name Shipshewana, they associate it with Amish craftsmanship, buggies, good food, beautiful quilts, amazing shopping, and most likely at least one of the properties run by the Blue Gate Hospitality Company. Currently that list includes a bakery, a restaurant, a theater, a large Performing Arts Center, carriages, a resort-type hotel, and […]

The beneficial relationship between Purple Martins, a type of sparrow, and humans goes back hundreds of years in North America. Purple Martins are voracious consumers of insects, especially mosquitoes, and early Native Americans figured out that attracting them to their land was beneficial to all the people and animals that lived there. Historically, Purple Martins […]

If either photography or painting is a favorite pastime, LaGrange County needs to be the destination for your next trip. Whether you prefer landscapes, classic architecture, gorgeous farm sunrises, interesting portrait opportunities, or amazingly photogenic animals, there are subjects to be had everywhere you turn. A recent quick stop at Dutch Creek in Shipshewana inspired […]

The term ‘Cottage Shop’ in LaGrange County refers to the many Amish-run businesses that you can find scattered throughout the beautiful backroads surrounding Shipshewana, LaGrange, Middlebury and almost any area where the Amish way of life is prevalent. They are typically small stores next to their homes and workshops, and the products they make and […]

3 Key Elements You could say that the family farm behind Yoder’s Meat & Cheese has been ahead of the curve for decades. Four generations of cattle farmers and smart farming practices have culminated in both a popular retail space and a successful agri-business. Yoder’s Meat & Cheese is located at 435 S. Van Buren […]

If you’ve met Lora, than you know that she is hardworking, kind, and fun. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, you can learn more from our quick interview below. Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your life here in Shipshewana? A: I relocated from my hometown 9 years ago to join […]

Need a great story idea? We’re here to help! Choose from the categories and suggestions below and contact us for the info and illustrative pieces you need. Need info on a topic that you don’t see here? Contact us and we’ll assist with whatever you need!   Historical: The History of Shipshewana The Story of Davis […]

And the Winners Are: The weather this past Friday & Saturday was made for ice carving! Visitors were able to watch carvings of all sizes being created most of the day on Friday, by part-time professional ice carvers from all over the Midwest. Then they could head over to the the area behind Smokehouse Grills […]

The CVB will host an #InIndiana Ice Sculpture this year! The 17th Annual Shipshewana Ice Festival is this Friday and Saturday, (Jan. 19th & 20th) in and around the popular Downtown Shopping District in the wintry wonderland of Shipshewana, Indiana. We invite you to join us for both fun days! Get the most from your visit […]

In Shipshewana, there are places to shop, food to eat, and fun things to do all year round! The winter time is actually a perfect time to visit for a getaway, family time, downtown shopping, or a relaxing weekend with friends. Locals and frequent visitor’s are probably already getting ready for the annual Ice Festival […]

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is here again, and in the United States, Dec. 25th is both the federal and traditional date of Christmas. Whether religious or secular, the majority of the population are so accustomed to this that calendars and businesses closings are planned around the date. Outside of the single […]

For almost 20 years, the annual Gingerbread House Competition has been a holiday tradition at Davis Mercantile in Shipshewana, IN. They have two age groups, 16+ and 15 & Under, so everyone can participate! The contest typically receives up to 15 entries, which can make it hard to choose winners. This year’s winners are truly […]

Nativity Scenes are a lovely and decorative reminder of the reason for the season this time of year, and being that Shipshewana is a special place that appreciates both faith and craftsmanship, it is the best place to find the perfect Nativity Scene for you and your home. There are more options than are possible […]