A Home for All
Nearby Amish Community Boasts Wealth of Culture
The nearby Amish Community is located just southwest of Oelwein off Highway 150 and Highway 281 in Buchanan County. The first settlers to the community moved from Kalona in 1914. They chose this area due to the fact that they could move their families and belongings easily and the property was reasonable for them to purchase. Currently, there are approximately 1,000 Amish residents in this community.
Amish stores are open to the public Monday through Saturday, except for specific holidays. Store hours vary, but most are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discount grocery, bulk food, general stores, bakeries and greenhouses are some of the stores that are open to the public, just to name a few.
Holidays when stores are closed include:
- Epiphany – January 6th
- Good Friday
- Ascension Day (40 days after Easter)
- Easter Monday (some stores open by chance)
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- Pennecost Monday (Seven Mondays after Easter) (Some stores open by chance)
Amish do not observe Memorial Day or Labor Day, so stores are open!
Wapsie Valley Produce Auction
The Wapsie Valley Produce Auction hosts a semi-annual School Auction, a large consignment auction that is held typically the third Saturday in May and the second Saturday in September. The auction consists of several auctioneers selling simultaneously during the all-day auctions. Consignment items consist of everything from quilts, to furniture, hay and farm machinery. The auctions are a fundraiser, with a percentage of all sales being used to support the Amish taught schools in the Oelwein School District.
During the growing season, produce and flower auctions are held every Tuesday and Friday mornings at 10 a.m., from May to October. Area growers, mostly Amish, bring their goods to be sold to area residents. Flowers, plants and hot house produce are prevalent during the early Spring sales, while pumpkins, gourds and mums finish off the season in the Fall.