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Montana has achieved kind of legendary status among the Old Order Amish. For most of their history in the United States, the Amish were "out east", like in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and a few other outposts, to as far west as Kansas.
But in the early 1970s that all changed. A group of outdoorsy Amish hungering for adventure and mountains decided to head West. They first decided to settle around the town of Horsefly, British Columbia.
From Horsefly to Rexford, Montana
The Horsefly settlement lasted for three years, from 1969 to 1972, but it was so remote, so rugged, that the church was untenable. So the Amish families settled just inside the United States near Rexford, Montana. I actually had the occasion to meet the founder of the Rexford Amish settlement about 40 years after he started it. Here is his tale:
The Rexford, Montana Amish settlement was started in the early 1970s by an Amish man with a bit of a restless streak. He had moved around in the Midwest and really just wanted a place where the fishing and hunting were superb. His quest eventually led him to Horsefly, British Columbia to start a community, but the isolation of the area was ultimately its downfall. For an Amish community to be sustainable, you need people - preferably families - willing to come and stay, raise children,,and plant some roots.
Horsefly had an amazing sockeye salmon season as they spawned in the nearby Horsefly River, but the settlement was too far from anywhere to endure. Amish families came from Ohio and Indiana to settle in Horsefly, but the community only lasted from 1969 - 1972. One of the founders of the Horsefly settlement came across some ranch-land for sale in the West Kootenai area and thought that might be a good spot for a new settlement. His eyes twinkle as he told me the story and talks of the area's rich game and fishing legacy. Just as Pinecraft, Florida's Amish community draws snowbirds and sun-seekers, Rexford attracts the Amish adventurers and outdoorsmen.
The community really is not near Rexford, that is the postal address, but Rexford is 45 minutes by car. It is more accurately called, by some, the West Kootenai community. There's an occasionally-open Amish general store there, an Amish school-house, a handful of Amish businesses, and annual auction to benefit the school. And that is about it.
🗺️ Where Are Amish Communities In Montana?
Rexford is described above. Here are some others:
St. Ignatius: this is a large, thriving Amish settlements in one of the most beautiful settings you'll ever find.
This is a New Order community and unlike others they do worship in a church building as opposed to homes. Bicycles are used frequently by the Amish here and are handy for traveling the flatness of the valley.Two Amish church districts spread out along the base of the Mission Mountains and, interestingly, this is the only Amish community in the USA located on tribal lands. The Amish settlement is on the Flathead Indian Reservation, more formally known as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation.
The first thing that strikes a visitor to the St. Ignatius settlement is the beauty.Stunning vistas of the Mission Mountains are a constant. Most of the Amish homes are wedged right up against the base of the mountains which rise dramatically from the valley floor
Many of the Amish of St. Ignatius have deep family ties back in Ohio, so these Amish will hop onto commercial flights and travel. Most Amish churches do not permit air travel. Food in this settlement ranges from traditional to local, with wild game from the mountains and fresh huckleberries being found on menus frequently.
Roberts: This is one of the new Amish communities in the state in the south-central part close to the Wyoming border. About a dozen families call this church district home as of 2024. There are a few thriving Amish businesses and most of the families hail from Indiana or Ohio.
Libby: This is a community that was once Amish but now can't be considered so, but many of the church members here still dress plainly and carry on a lot of their Amish traditions.
Gold Creek: A plain Mennonite community. Many of church members here have their roots among the Amish.
Plains: This is interesting, because this Amish settlement is located near the town of Plains which is on the other side of the Flathead, Indian reservation, but is still located on it. There is a single church district here, an Amish school,and cemetery (one burial in it as of 2024, so it is a very new church).
Stevensville: This is a small Amish community established in 2019 which has drawn in residents from Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and St. Ignatius. There was an article in a local newspaper that gives a fascinating glimpse into the Amish community that gives a rare look at their written rules. Kudos to the local reporter.
Rexford/Kootenai: Kootenai General Store...Check to make sure this is open first, somehow. Because I don't have current information, but a super gem of an Amish store if it is still open!
❓ Why The Amish Like Montana
Montana has become a very popular place among the Amish. As of 2024, there are approximately 1500 Amish in Big Sky country, but that number will grow. Why?
Community: With over 1500 Amish in the state now, moving to Montana isn't so isolating. Yes, it is far away from larger Amish communities out east, but the community is scaling up and growing here, so Amish people here now don't feel as "cut off."
Amtrak: An easily accessible rail line that goes right through Montana, making transportation to and from family out east far easier.
Climate: Yes,winters can be frigid and summers searing. Most of the time, though, the weather is in the middle of the two extremes, which often makes it quite hospitable for the Amish.
Affordability: I'm not sure land is cheap anywhere, but a hunk of land in rural Montana is much easier on the wallet still than in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
🛒 Amish Businesses in Montana
Plenty to choose from in Big Sky country if you are seeking an authentic Amish store experience.
St. Ignatius: Check out Stutzman's Country Store, formerally known as the Mission General Store. This is a classic Amish bulk food store with a little bit of everything, a deli, and a bakery. The address is 61307 Watson Road, and the phone is 406-745-7200.
Gold Creek: Call ahead at 406-288-2579 to make sure this is still being offered, but this is truly a one-of-a-kind Amish/Mennonite experience:
On Thursdays starting at 6 p.m., Mennonite family-run operation has been dishing up sumptuous old-style dinners at the new Dinnerbell in Gold Creek Montana. In a spacious hall on long tables. The first Thursday of each month meatloaf is the entrée, the other Thursdays feature chicken. Sides of mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables and salad, homemade bread and pie and ice cream are also on the menu. Dinner ends with a dismissal hymn at the end of the evening, usually a different one each week. The Thursday dinners are all you can eat for $13.50 and typically draw 120-125 patrons from Missoula, Butte, Helena and Deer Lodge, and smaller towns in half a dozen surrounding counties. For reservations to the weekly Thursday night family-style dinner at the Dinnerbell in Gold Creek call 406-288-2579. Dinner is served at 6 p.m.
Adjoining the dining hall is a quaint deli/store with bulk food items, quilts, crafts and Amish products. In the store is a deli counter offering ham, turkey or roast beef sandwich on homemade bread and stacked high with fixings for just $4.50.
Plains: The Butcher's Nook, 600 West E Railroad Ave, Plains, MT 59859. This is a Mennonite-owned restaurant and country store, specializing in fresh pies, ice cream,baked goods, bulk foods, and lots of scratch specialities on the restaurant menu. And during the summer and fall, lots of locally grown huckleberries!
Roberts: The Chuckwagon, 8159 US-212, another classic Amish country store, bulk food, bakery, and deli. Their biggest seller? Homemade jalapeno cheese bread.
West Bench Country Store,US -212, Adirondack-style chairs, gliders and rocking chairs adorn the outside of the store. Inside, the store provides a showcase for quality dining room sets, bedroom furniture and living room groupings in a wide range of styles most made by Amish artisans and craftsmen out east and shipped to Montana.
Libby: 5725 Farm To Market Rd, classic Amish style bulk food store.
Stevensville: Heritage Market, 4362 Eastside Highway...started by Amish man Joe Mast is a classic Amish bulk food store and bakery.
📷 Amish Scenes From Montana
Inside a canning closet in an Amish home in St. Ignatius.
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