Wooster area

Understand

Wayne County is predominantly rural. The landscape can be stunning with mile after mile of farmland. Though it is mainly open country, Wayne County won't give you that feeling of seclusion like other open areas of the United States or even Ohio. You shouldn't find it hard to find a gas station, or shopping area within 10 to 20 miles of each other. Wayne County towns are popular bedroom communities for many working in the metro areas of Akron, Canton, and Cleveland.

The Amish, known as "the gentle people', comprise nearly half of the county's population (total population estimated at 40,000+) making this region the largest Amish settlement in the world. The area also has many Mennonites, who are also a part of The Anabaptist Movement that moved here from Europe, at the invitation of William Penn . When travelling to and driving in this area, be alert for the horse-drawn Amish buggies, pedestrians on the roads, children walking and livestock crossing and being herded on the roads, all have the right of way on the roads.

When you are visiting the towns and attractions in Holmes County, keep in mind that most of the people selling trinkets and wares as well as the shop owners are not Amish, although some are Mennonite. Items such as cheese, smoked meats, quilts and oak wood furniture most likely are manufactured and finished locally. (Some quilts are made in China, if making a purchase that can run into the thousands of dollars, make sure you know what you are buying)

The items or places you find branded "Amish" may or may not in fact be Amish. Amish do not use the word "Amish" as a marketing ploy; this is something invented by the "English" (as Amish refer to non-Amish). Usually you will find that merchants add terms like Amish Made or Amish Country to link a product to the Amish.

The BEST place to begin one's trip to Ohio's Amish Country is the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center, located just outside Berlin (pronounced BURR-linn, NOT Burr-LINN) on County Road 77. They offer a very moving tour of the 360-foot cyclorama (called the "Behalt" mural), and have a great documentary film titled, "The Amish: How They Survive." Take the tour and buy the film if you want to learn about Amish culture.

Regions

Includes Wayne County and Holmes County

Cities

• Berlin - The Heart of Ohio's Amish Country
• Burbank- Located off Interstate 71 and home to an Outlet Mall and a rodeo complex.
• Charm - Home to Keim Lumber
• Dalton- Small village that runs along the historic Old Lincoln Highway.
• Doylestown- Located in the Northeastern portion of the county which gives it close proximity to the major metro locations in surrounding counties (Akron, Canton, and Cleveland) but still tucked away in a small town, country setting. Also known for its Christmas tree farm.
• Fredericksburg- Small town in the heart of Amish country.
• Kidron- A center of Amish and tourist activity. Home of Lehman's Hardware, selling nonelectrical appliances, and traditional nonelectrical tools. Also Thursdays are the livestock auctions. Thursday and Saturday mornings is a flea market.
• Marshallville- Residential town known for its meat packing operation and fresh meat.
• Millersburg
• Mount Eaton- Amish tourist town known for its furniture.
• Orrville- Home headquarters of JM Smucker's and Smith Diary and a historical depot and railroad center. Hometown Of Basketball hall of fame coach Bobby Knight
• West Salem- Home of Dragway 42, known for drag and bike racing. Also home to a major fireworks outlet.
• Wooster- Wayne County seat. Home to the College of Wooster and Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and the Agricultural Technical Institute. Commercial (home to Rubbermaid and Cat's Meow)and historical center of Wayne County. The Wayne County Fairgrounds are located here. The fair is held every September.

Get in

Fly

• Akron/ Canton Airport - About 30-40 miles
• Cleveland Hopkins Airport - About 40-50 miles

Bus

• Greyhound - A small station in Wooster and West Salem.

Stay safe

On the country roads, especially in the central and southern regions, be careful driving at high speeds, especially over ridges. Slow moving Amish buggies and farm machinery frequently share these roads and high speed accidents with them have been disastrous.

Overall Wayne County is safe, but like anywhere else use common sense and take safety precautions.

Since the Amish/Mennonites are pacifists, the threat from them is nonexistent. Your main threat is on the roads from sightseeing drivers not paying attention to the often slow or stopped traffic. Food purchased at the numerous road side bakeries, cheese plants or home made canned items like jellies or preserves should be considered quite safe. If you buy farm eggs, they will likely be very fresh and tasty.

Animals: Keep in mind that this is not a petting zoo type situation. The animals may bite, kick or step on you, or especially your children. Never allow your child to walk up on a horse, buggy, or other farm animal. Animals in pens may be more accessible, but can pass on other diseases. Touching should be avoided.

Respect

Do not take photographs of Amish people, as this is considered to be idolatry and hence, forbidden under Amish religious beliefs. This is a different culture and ethnic group of people with deep religious principals. Please be as considerate of their religion, as you would expect one to be of yours. It may be a bit overstated but, waiving a camera around in Holmes County is about as popular as waiving around a gun in a Chicago bar. Most benefit auctions have signs posted, "No Cameras/No Photography", you will find the same at livestock/exotics auctions at Mt. Hope.

However, if you respect people's privacy and do not trespass or obstruct people going about their daily lives, taking photographs of Amish objects such as horse buggies and farmsteads is usually fine, so long as no people are visible in the photograph.