Amish Country of Central Illinois – Arcola, Arthur, Tuscola, Sullivan, Illinois

Amish Country of Central Illinois – Arcola, Arthur, Tuscola, Sullivan, Illinois

Amish Country of Central Illinois – Arcola, Arthur, Tuscola, Sullivan, Illinois

The Amish families came to central Illinois in 1865.  They had become dissatisfied with the worldliness of the Mennonite Church and desired to live a more strict and simple life.  The Amish in this area are “House Amish” which means they favor holding services in a home rather than a church building.

There are 25 Amish church districts in central Illinois which cover approximately 12 miles East and West and 5 miles North and 10 miles South.  The heart of the settlement is Arthur.

With a population of approximately 4,500 in three countries in East Central Illinois this group of people has greatly influenced the culture of the area.

The Amish are known for their farming skills using horses on their farms, usually consisting of approximately 80 acres.  But, with the lack of land the buy the Amish have branched out into other areas as part of their way of life.  They have embraced woodworking of excellent quality, like furniture and cabinetry, quilting, retail stores such as bike shops and grocery stores and some are even employed at various manufacturing jobs in the area.

The homes of the Amish are usually large with several rooms opening into one large room in which they hold church.  The services rotate from one home to another.

The simplicity of the homes is consistent with their belief of keeping things basic, avoiding the traps of worldliness.  The floors are bare, the windows covered with plain colored cloth and the table has benches on which to sit for meals.

The food prepared is from their own gardens and livestock and exceptionally good.

Visit the visitor centers to get the latest information on events going on in the area and a map to help you get around.

If you are planning to come to the area on Sunday you will find the shops closed as the Amish observe the Sabbath day as a day of rest.

Please respect their privacy and do not try to take pictures of them.  If you want to take pictures of their homes, buggies or the like you can do that but please don’t include the people in your shots.

In Arcola you can visit the Amish Interpretive Center Museum in Downtown Arcola which presents the heritage of the Amish through exhibits and artifacts. The museum is the first of its kind in Illinois. The Interpretive Center also provides guided tours of the Amish community and will arrange meals in an Amish home.

Arthur is a mix of the Old Order Amish and the English community where the use of horse and buggy blends with cars and trucks.  You will find thriving shops that are the central shopping area for the Amish reminding you of the wonderful old fashioned country downtown.  The area surrounding Arthur is full of small Amish owned shops and things to see and do.

Arthur hosts several festivals during the year, Arthur Days starts off the summer and the Arthur Cheese festival ends it on Labor Day weekend where over 600 pounds of cheese is given away in three days. The Central Illinois Braggin’ Rights KCBS BBQ Competition caps off the fall. But you don’t want to miss the one of the largest downstate fireworks displays, usually held the Saturday before July 4th in Jurgens Park. Several benefit auctions are also held on a yearly basis along with horse and pony auctions. The annual quilt auction in April draws hundreds from across the country.

Tuscola is in the Amish area too with more of the traditional shopping available with the factory outlet mall to specialty shops.

In Sullivan you will be greeted with things like hitching posts downtown to provide parking for the Amish as well as the traditional parking for cars.  The community has a professional play The Little Theater on the Square which will offer a delightful change to the standard offerings of a community.

Contact: Amish Country of Central Illinois CVB

PO Box 151

Tuscola, IL 61953

Phone: 1-877-368-4527