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Cultural Qualities
Our circle of multi-cultural community life depends upon and draws from the Amish Country Byway. Holmes County, Ohio is the location of the largest settlement of Amish in the world. It is estimated that nearly forty percent of our county population is of the Amish or Conservative Mennonite faith. With devout religious convictions whose roots go deep into the soil, their way of life enriches and influences the life of the entire Holmes County community and the visitors who come here.
A strong Swiss heritage presence in the area since the early 1800's produced a cheese industry which today is an integral part of our county's economy. This continued cooperative venture between area farmers and Swiss cheese producers was the catalyst for the tourism industry. Over sixty years ago Alpine Alpa restaurant and cheese house began drawing visitors from around the country to taste fine Swiss and Amish cooking and view cheesemaking. The Swiss cheese industry was also responsible for catapulting the area into national prominence with the inception of the Ohio Swiss Festival, an annual event which draws tens of thousands who also come to view our scenic fall foliage each year.
Early Indian influence and folklore remains present today in southwestern Holmes County. The essence of this influence is captured in the spirit of the Killbuck Early American Days Festival. Coal fields and stone quarries in that area drew Appalachian settlers from the south not as interested in agricultural practices. However, their presence in the county resulted in the early beginnings of our manufacturing and mining industries. With the abundance of native hardwoods in this area, forestry was soon to follow.
The viewshed of the byway reflects the integration of the historically agricultural based economy of the Amish with the culture of the Appalachian people. Both came to Ohio as immigrants yearning to lay down family roots. These roots grew together into a co-dependent community based upon mutual needs, strong work ethics, strong family values, and a sense of belonging to these hills and valleys called Holmes County.
The Amish refer to their strong sense of responsibility, a respect for a higher authority, that guides their decisions as the "gelassenheit." Respect for the scenic agriculture vistas has been maintained, access from the routes has been restricted, not necessarily by laws, but by landowner stewardship.
The Amish and Appalachian cultures are more often than not portrayed differently. These differences may be evident in their dress, their choice of foods, their mannerisms....but, none-the-less, how do two cultures with such distinctively different roots learn to live together in the same community? Maybe there are lessons to be learned from our multi-cultural community that has built on our cultural similarities, while respecting our differences, to become the thriving, productive community we know Holmes County to be.
Holmes County has completed a "Farmland Preservation Plan," committing a coalition of local resources to make the preservation of land and the practices of farming a continuing priority. The culturally integrated Holmes County community has linkages beyond our geographic borders through the byway system. This has enhanced the opportunities for people through the decades of the 20th century to visit Holmes County in increasing numbers.
Artists and artisans thrive in record numbers in Holmes County. From blacksmiths to pewtersmiths, cheesemakers to bakers, from quilters to potters, you can find them all practicing their art or craft along our byways. Local furniture craftsman have become specialized, wholesaling their products nationally and internationally, thus gaining recognition for Holmes County as a major furniture manufacturing area.
Our community remains focused on maintaining linkages to our cultural and historic heritage, to our strong commitment of land stewardship, and to making our community a special place to live, work and visit.