Eventually, the Amish settled in the United States during the 18th century. Religious tolerance in Switzerland did not come to fruition until the early 19th century. 

Today, Wisconsin has the 4th largest population of Amish in the U.S. only behind Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 

What differentiates the Amish way of life from other cultural groups is their strict adherence to the faith which guides them sunrise to sunset. At the core of their belief system is removing desire for material possessions and the focus on hard work and faith. As they practice what they preach, the Old Order Amish do not use electricity, and prefer kerosene for illumination/heating/cooking, and human power for all other chores. They do not drive automobiles or use modern farm machinery but employ the power of Belgian or work horses for transportation and farming. The tenets of their faith also guide what they wear. The Amish wear solid colored clothing which are usually hand made by family members. The external expressions of their faith are also visible in the old farmhouses they inhabit which are simple in architectural style, painted white without decoration, and alongside a long line of clothing often hung from a clothesline. The Amish rely on horse drawn black buggies as their primary source of transportation, their most visible interaction with the outside world. 

Southern Wisconsin is a great introduction to the Amish community. This close-knit settlement lies in the hills and farmland outside of Brodhead. If you are reading this article on your phone we invite you to take a tour with us now into Amish country.

Before You Go:

• As of the writing of this article the Amish businesses we have encountered do not practice safe distancing, or wear masks. A recent interview by Anna Huntsman from NPR local affiliate WCPN in Cleveland, Ohio with health officials of Holmes County reveals that the amish in that community are geting their COVID-19 vaccines. Many amish, in the Holmes County and other communities across the Midwest believe the Corona Virus is nothing more than the common flu that can be treated at home. Mask less, social gatherings without social distancing are a common sight in these close knit communities.

• Please wear a mask when visiting these stores and practice safe distancing when possible
• Do not leave your home if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms
• Please pay attention on the road as you might encounter the quintessential Amish icon, a horse drawn black buggy, remember to share the road and slow down
• In our world of social media and selfies show courtesy when clicking away. It is okay to photograph pictures of the Amish settlement but not the people. Please ask for permission ahead of time before you start shooting
• Bring cash or even better a checkbook if possible

The Tour:

Start the tour with Brodhead has our starting point. From downtown Brodhead follow County Road E out of town to the first stop on the tour, Smucker’s Country Store. 

Located at N24210 County Road E, Schmucker’s Country Store offers a large selection of canned goods, other sundries, bulk purchases, even traditional Amish hats.

Detweiller and Kaufman Furniture is the next destination on the tour of Amish country.

Turn right onto County Road E follow it north and east until Atkinson Road. Turn right onto Atkinson Road and follow until you see Detweiller and Kaufman Furniture on your right.

Detweiller & Kaufman Furniture builds headboards, cupboards, coat racks, and variety of other home furnishings hand-built out of oak, maple and cherry. Like many other Amish owned and operated furniture businesses D & K can build almost anything you dream of with wood.

The next Amish business on the tour is Detweiller’s Bent and Dent. Make a right turn out of D &K Furniture’s gravel driveway and onto Atkinson Road to reach our next stop Detweiller’s Bent and Dent. Here you’ll find everything from bottled Teriyaki sauce to packaged apricots and canned corn at below market prices. Why the lower prices? The products sold on Detweiller’s shelves are those which were damaged from shipments to large grocery stores. The contents are perfectly fine but the packaging outside has a dent or bent. 

Detweiller’s Bent and Dent attracts a wide customer base from the region. Its’ not unusual to see the store’s parking lot half-full of cars from Illinois. 

TIP: the Amish don’t use electricity so if your curious about expiration dates you might want to check a product’s date-stamp by holding it by a window for better illumination. 

The last, but not least stop on the tour of Amish country is Country Lane Bakery. 

Turn right onto Atkinson Road and then turn right onto Hwy. 104. Head south on Hwy. 104 and turn left onto Footville-Brodhead Road and then turn left onto Scotch Hill Road. The bakery is on your left at 1602 South Scotch Hill Road. Country Lane Bakery offers freshly baked bread, cookies, pies, jellies and jams, and homemade candies.

About the Amish businesses on tour:

Country Lane Bakery

1602 South Scotch Hill Road

Open Friday and Saturday 

9am – 6pm

(608) 897 – 4367

Detweiller and Kaufman Furniture

Atkinson Road., Brodhead WI 53520.

Monday – Saturday

9am – 6pm

(608) 897 – 4367

Detweiller’s Bent and Dent Groceries

Atkinson Road., Brodhead WI 53520.

Monday – Saturday

9am – 6pm

(608) 897 – 4367

Schmucker’s Country Store

N4210 County Road E., Brodhead WI 53520.

Monday – Saturday

9am – 6pm

(608) 897 – 4367

511 Wisconsin

For up to the minute winter driving conditions in southern Wisconsin visit the Wisconsin DOT's 511 Wisconsin or call 511 or (866) 511-9472.