The Deer Lodge and Sunbright Amish Communities.
*This Amish community comes with a small warning. The Amish we met were not very friendly to English. They did not have vegetable stands out front like the Swartzentruber but had signs for various builders. We believe this community is best visited by English people looking to have something made or to buy certain handmade items*.
Just north of Crossville is the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area along highway 298. When you take highway 62 to Highway 329, you should start to see the iconic road signs warning you of Amish buggies. The Amish live along Gatewood Ford Road, Glades Road, and Coon Hollow Road. * These roads had homes and places that looked like the people here were a bit dangerous, so look out and don't be contacting them directly*. On highway 329, you will see a few Amish homes and a feed store just before entering Sunbright. The Amish man at the feed store told us they call themselves old order and prefer to do business with other Amish people but did say that the English hire them to do a task. He also didn't believe the total number of Amish in this community. He said there were only about 35 Amish homes and nowhere near the 315 Amish persons from the PDF we were given. He told us that most of them came from Kentucky, and many had moved back or moved on to other Amish communities, but they did form around 2013. You see this Amish man in my video in the background.
Deer Lodge Amish Homes and Differences
You will notice that the homes here are metal or tin sided instead of wooden siding like the older communities. A lot of the workshops had electricity while the homes didn't. The buggies have battery-powered lights to warn vehicles of the buggies being on the road. You will also see gas grills and swimming pools for kids along with other kids' toys out beside the homes, but this is not uncommon in the other Amish communities. Unfortunately, there were plenty of "keep out" signs on driveways and fences. The Amish man we met said there had been trouble with locals before, so maybe the keep-out signs are a precaution. We believe the Amish here are fascinating; make sure you see them from the road or have something for them to build for you.
Similar Points of Interest in the area
From Highway 329, you can take highway 27 in Sunbright to highway 52 to Historic Rugby. Historic Rugby, Inc. was founded in 1880 by those following the British author Thomas Hughes who wanted to start their own colony. Today historic Rugby is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization and living historical Victorian village; the organization was established in 1966 to preserve, protect, and interpret the man-made and natural historic resources and heritage of the British Isles and Appalachia according to their website. The Amish of Ethridge team visited Rugby and took the photos and video clips featured below!
Once you are done in Rugby, you can stay on Highway 52 to Allardt, where another Amish community is said to be. The Amish people we saw in deer lodge said there is one house across from another for a church district of 20 Amish people, but there may be more on your trip. Another major area is the Muddy Pond community Amish and Mennonite store. Take Highway 127 South to Highway 62 to Campground Road, which will take you to the places inside Muddy Pond.
Muddy Pond Amish and Mennonite Community
You can find Amish and other groups here; however, mainly Mennonites operate businesses along the road. The sorghum molasses and leather shops are the things you will see most online. The general store and leatherworks place next door is what the Amish of Ethridge team enjoyed. You can find all kinds of things inside the stores. There are also lodging places and art stores; make sure they are open when you plan on going. There are molasses mills around, and some will let you watch them make it.
Unfortunately, it rained on us during our trip, so we could only take a few photos and video clips out the windows, but the general store and leather shop next door were worth the drive over. We do recommend going to the Muddy Pond Community on your next trip!
Deer Lodge Area Points of Interest
The area around Deer Lodge and Sunbright is mostly wildlife management and recreation lands with a few tiny towns. This area is excellent for those who want remote places with very few people. This land would be perfect for anyone who wanted to think about things without a car pulling up and breaking their concentration. The roads are narrow, with just a few houses per mile of r. If you are a person who likes to drive the backroads, then you will love this place. Here are a few links to places we felt were good to visit!
East Tennessee Amish Map
Do you want even more points of interest to add to your Amish Adventure in East Tennessee? Then click the button below and see our East Tennessee Amish Map. This page displays more things to do and explore while you are out seeing the Amish. Make your itinerary full of places to go with our East Tennessee Amish Map!
Where to go next? Try more Amish Communities in Tennessee!
These buttons below take you to the other 4 Amish Communities with over 200 persons. Below are the Amish of Ethridge links to see more about the Ethridge Community!
See more from the Amish of Ethridge!
Since you are already on the Amish of Ethridge website, see these pages or the home page for information on the Largest Amish Community In The South!!!
We will be updating this page, so comment below if you have somewhere we should go check out or a place we may have missed!
Other Great Southern TN Points of Interest
Tennessee is home to some of the best whiskeys, brews, and wines in the country. The Amish are not usually permitted to drink but do make tinctures for medication and can supply fruits to make ingredients to makers. The heritage and methods of these makers are sure to be a place you will want to see.
Tennessee Whiskey is nationally known in Eastern Tennessee as the best when it comes to a stiff drink. Distilleries on the Tennessee Whiskey Tour are sure to help lift your spirits! Most of them have tours and tasting rooms to sample their whiskey!
Tennessee Breweries need good clean water in Eastern Tennessee. These breweries can hop you up on their local ingredients. The Brewer Tour is sure to please any person who loves a good beer that is made by the best breweries in Tennessee!
Tennessee wineries are some of the best in the nation. The atmosphere and geography makes for a diverse growing environment for the grapes across Tennessee. Here are the best wineries to offer the visitor who knows their nose for a great wine.
Tennessee BBQ Tour
The state of Tennessee spans the flavors of Memphis to the Carolinas as our bbq incorporates our whiskeys barrels and guitar strings into a whisk to mix country charm into our bold personality.
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