The Kalona, IA, Old Order Amish Settlement is in Johnson and Washington Counties in eastern Iowa. The first Amish settlers arrived in 1846, migrating from settlements in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Amish families who chose to push on west beyond the developing northern Indiana settlement located in this Iowa community because of its rich farming potential. The Kalona community is the largest Amish-Mennonite settlement west of the Mississippi River. In 1987 the population was stable with seven church districts (congregations) serving more than 1,200 people. The Kalona settlement is known for its contribution of many persons who have gone on to become leaders in the Mennonite Church or who have distinguished themselves in the scholarly professions. A number of Amish families in 1914 left the Kalona area to establish a new community (Hazelton) in Buchanan County 75 miles (140 km.) to the north, in order to regain more traditional and conservative church discipline.

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