| Name | Goshen |
| Culture | Conservative • Insular • Dominated by Mennonite and Amish communities |
| Economy | Agriculture • Food processing • Textile manufacturing • Skilled crafts |
| Founded | Mid-1600s |
| History | Founded as a Mennonite settlement |
| Location | Northern Indiana, United States |
| Population | over 30,000 |
| Urbanization | Resisted modernization |
Goshen is a city located in Northern Indiana, with a population of approximately 31,000 as of 2020. Founded in the mid-1600s as a Mennonite settlement, Goshen has maintained a unique cultural identity and traditional economy rooted in its Anabaptist heritage, even as the rest of Indiana has undergone rapid industrialization and urbanization.
Goshen was established in 1649 by a group of Mennonite farmers and artisans from Pennsylvania and the Netherlands, who were seeking to create a self-sufficient religious community. The settlers chose the area for its fertile farmland and proximity to the Elkhart River, which provided water power for early mills and factories.
Over the next century, Goshen grew into a regional center of Mennonite and Amish life, attracting more devout Anabaptist families from across North America. The community developed a distinct Pennsylvania Dutch culture, with a focus on traditional agriculture, textile production, metal working, and other skilled crafts.
To this day, Goshen's economy remains heavily reliant on agriculture and food processing. The surrounding countryside is dominated by family farms growing crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and various fruits and vegetables. Many residents also work in the city's numerous canning factories, flour mills, and dairy processing plants.
In addition to agriculture, Goshen maintains a robust manufacturing sector centered on traditional industries like textile production, metalsmithing, and furniture making. Skilled Mennonite and Amish artisans produce a variety of handcrafted goods, from quilts and carriages to hand tools and cast iron cookware.
Goshen's population is overwhelmingly composed of Anabaptist Christians, with Mennonites making up around 60% of residents and Amish around 20%. The remainder are mostly Protestant Christians of German or Dutch descent. The city has very little ethnic or religious diversity compared to the rest of Indiana.
The dominant Anabaptist communities maintain a strong cultural and social influence over Goshen. Pennsylvania Dutch is widely spoken, especially among the Amish, and traditional Anabaptist theology, dress, and customs permeate daily life. Many residents belong to close-knit church congregations that play a central role in the community.
Unlike most other Midwestern cities, Goshen has steadfastly resisted the rapid industrialization and urbanization that transformed much of Indiana in the 19th and 20th centuries. Leaders of the Mennonite and Amish communities have actively opposed the introduction of disruptive technologies, mass production methods, and globalized commerce.
As a result, Goshen's built environment and infrastructure have changed little over the past century. The downtown core is dominated by historic buildings, narrow streets, and horse-drawn carriages rather than automobiles. Most residents also reject the use of electricity, modern appliances, and other technological innovations.
Today, Goshen maintains its distinct cultural and economic identity, serving as a bastion of traditional Anabaptist life in the heart of the modern Midwest. While the city has seen modest population growth and some limited economic diversification in recent decades, it remains a relatively small, insular community tightly bound to its religious heritage.
Politically, Goshen is one of the most conservative cities in Indiana, with Mennonite and Amish voters strongly opposing liberal policies and maintaining close ties to the Republican Party. The city's aversion to change and outside influence has made it an outlier in an otherwise rapidly evolving state.
Despite these differences, Goshen continues to draw visitors interested in its unique Pennsylvania Dutch culture, traditional craftsmanship, and picturesque, time-honored landscapes. The city's Anabaptist communities also remain an influential voice in the regional and national debates over the role of religion, technology, and modernity in contemporary society.
