The hot summer days of July and August often lead one feeling the need for a refreshing meal or snack. Today this often means leaning towards a lighter fare such as a fresh salad or perhaps fruit when sitting down to dinner. Sometimes on these hot summer days, all one needs is a cool refreshing jello mold to feel content. The sweet light taste of cherry, lemon, and lime jello has long been a favorite summertime snack or dessert among many. However, can you imagine sitting down to a dinner of meatloaf encased in a lime jell?

The Following excerpt is from a small collection of postcards dated 1948. These postcards were sent between two women who we believe were apart of the Amish community during the 1940s and into the 50s. Mrs. Joe J. Miller a.k.a Katie Ann of Ragersville, Ohio wrote a series of brief letters to Mrs. Jacob M. Miller a.k.a Emma of Sugarcreek, Ohio in 1948.

The year 1941 brought many eventful changes to the United States and other countries around the world. In December of 1941, the United States was attacked by the Japanese in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This tragic event propelled the United States forward and into the second world war. The effects of World War II in small towns such as Sugarcreek, Ohio may appear obscure, however, the consequences of such a large scale conflict were felt at all levels of society.

Imagine traveling back in time, you walk into a Christian church service on a bright Sunday morning. Wearing your “Sunday best”, you walk in through a set of large double oak doors with the rest of your family. Your polished leather shoes click along the creaking wood floors as you walk up the center aisle and sit down in the large oak pews among your friends and neighbors. Idle chatter and small talk swirl around the room while everyone waits for the church service to begin. Suddenly, the choir floods into the sanctuary with their songbooks and hymnals in hand to raise a mighty song to the Lord.

The history of Sugarcreek is entwined with that of Shanesville. Shanesville was founded in 1814 by Abraham Shane at the intersection of two Indian trails (present-day State Rt. 39 and 93). Sugarcreek emerged from the town of Shanesville around the mid to late nineteenth century. A great deal of Sugarcreek’s background and history is rooted in Shanesville’s history. The following account is the remarkable story of a former Shanesville resident, who lead a fascinating and inspiring life. 

Imagine what life was like for women in the nineteenth century. Everyday tasks and chores such as cooking dinner or cleaning up multiply in complexity when compared to the standard of modern-day-living. From dawn until dusk, the time and energy it took to run a house in the nineteenth century is truly fascinating.

Portions of Tuscarawas and Holmes county are renowned for the charming and timeless Amish and Mennonite cultures. The area, including places like Sugarcreek, Farmerstown, Walnut Creek, Mt. Hope, Kidron, Charm, and Berlin is often fondly referred to as “Amish Country”. These areas boast a large number of quaint shops with handmade Amish goods. Consequently, a founding group that is often omitted from the mainstream historical record of the area is the Swiss.