Shipshewana, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Shipshewana is a town in Newbury Township
, LaGrange County
, Indiana
, United States
. The population was 658 at the 2010 census. It is the location of the Menno-Hof Amish & Mennonite Museum, which showcases the history of the Amish and Mennonite peoples.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²). 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²)
and Amish
. Their influence contributes to Shipshewana's unique small town atmosphere, which is also characterized by quaint downtown buildings, quality schools, a gracious park, a library of distinction, and a respect for people of faith, all of which are highly valued by its many long time residents.
The community also is generally well-maintained; trees and flowers adorn the streets. Holiday decorations reflect the Christian
values during the Christmas
season, and are a source of pride for many Shipshewana residents. Most businesses are closed in the evenings and on Sundays, reflecting the Mennonite-Amish tradition of strong family values and close ties within the community.
Shipshewana is perhaps most famous for its Miscellaneous and Antique Auction, held every Wednesday throughout the year. It also features flea markets (Tuesday and Wednesday in season) as well as the Friday horse auction. Shipshewana is the only Indiana site listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die
.
The town is served by the Westview School Corporation, in nearby Topeka
, home of the Westview Warriors. The town maintains a park system, including a soccer field complex, softball/baseball diamonds, and a general park/playground adjacent to the Wolfe Building on Morton Street.
of 2000, there were 536 people, 235 households, and 149 families residing in the town. The population density
was 582.7 people per square mile (224.9/km²). There were 251 housing units at an average density of 272.9 per square mile (105.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.57% White, 0.37% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.19% from other races
, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.
There were 235 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples
living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 12.7% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,156, and the median income for a family was $53,214. Males had a median income of $36,875 versus $22,750 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $26,270. About 6.0% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 20.8% of those age 65 or over.
Although a very small town, Shipshewana is home to numerous antique and country-style decor shops and restaurants, especially with a strong Amish flavor.
Shipshewana is a large producer of handcrafted Amish furniture
. Amish furniture is noted for its durability, solid wood construction and simple elegance.
Newbury Township, LaGrange County, Indiana
Newbury Township is one of eleven townships in LaGrange County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,411.-External links:* *...
, LaGrange County
LaGrange County, Indiana
LaGrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana and in the Northern Indiana region known as Michiana. As of 2010, the population was 37,128. The county is located about east of South Bend, west of Toledo, Ohio, and northeast of Indianapolis. The area is well known for its large...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 658 at the 2010 census. It is the location of the Menno-Hof Amish & Mennonite Museum, which showcases the history of the Amish and Mennonite peoples.
Geography
Shipshewana is located at 41°40′37"N 85°34′48"W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²). 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²)
Description
LaGrange County and The Town of Shipshewana are home to the "plain people": MennoniteMennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
and Amish
Amish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
. Their influence contributes to Shipshewana's unique small town atmosphere, which is also characterized by quaint downtown buildings, quality schools, a gracious park, a library of distinction, and a respect for people of faith, all of which are highly valued by its many long time residents.
The community also is generally well-maintained; trees and flowers adorn the streets. Holiday decorations reflect the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
values during the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
season, and are a source of pride for many Shipshewana residents. Most businesses are closed in the evenings and on Sundays, reflecting the Mennonite-Amish tradition of strong family values and close ties within the community.
Shipshewana is perhaps most famous for its Miscellaneous and Antique Auction, held every Wednesday throughout the year. It also features flea markets (Tuesday and Wednesday in season) as well as the Friday horse auction. Shipshewana is the only Indiana site listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die
1,000 Places to See Before You Die
1,000 Places to See Before You Die is a 2003 travel book by Patricia Schultz.Among the "1,000 places" in the book are historic ones such as Robert Louis Stevenson's home in Western Samoa and the trail of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the United States, cultural ones such as the Oregon...
.
The town is served by the Westview School Corporation, in nearby Topeka
Topeka, Indiana
Topeka is a town in Clearspring and Eden townships, LaGrange County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,153 at the 2010 census. Topeka is located approximately 11 miles south of Shipshewana, Indiana....
, home of the Westview Warriors. The town maintains a park system, including a soccer field complex, softball/baseball diamonds, and a general park/playground adjacent to the Wolfe Building on Morton Street.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 536 people, 235 households, and 149 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 582.7 people per square mile (224.9/km²). There were 251 housing units at an average density of 272.9 per square mile (105.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.57% White, 0.37% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.19% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.
There were 235 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 12.7% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,156, and the median income for a family was $53,214. Males had a median income of $36,875 versus $22,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $26,270. About 6.0% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 20.8% of those age 65 or over.
Points of interest
Events and Festivals
- Pajama Sale (First Saturday each February)
- Mayfest (First Friday and Saturday each May)
- Shipshewana Antique Festival (First Saturday each August)
- Fall Crafters Fair (Second Friday and Saturday each October)
- Camp Shipshewana Summer camp (June through August)
Furniture
Amish furniture
Amish furniture is furniture marketed as being made by the Amish, primarily of Ohio and Shipshewana, Indiana. It is generally known as being made of 100% wood, usually without particle board or laminate.- History :...
. Amish furniture is noted for its durability, solid wood construction and simple elegance.
External links
- Town of Shipshewana, Indiana website
- Shipshewana.com - Links to All Things Shipshewana!