Amish buggies, also known as horse-drawn carriages, are a common mode of transportation for Amish communities. The color of these buggies can vary, and often reflects the community to which its owner belongs.
Black is the most common color of Amish buggies, and is used by various affiliations across the country, such as those in Holmes County, Ohio, northern Indiana, Buchanan County, Iowa, central Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Kokomo, Indiana [1]. Meanwhile, gray buggies are specific to the Lancaster County Amish community [2]. Other colors include white, brown, and yellow, which can be seen in different Amish communities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York [5].
In addition to the different colors, the design and style of buggies can also vary, with some being open-topped or having special features such as kerosene lanterns, which are only used by Swartzentruber Amish, the lowest Amish order [6].
It’s interesting to note that buggy color and style are one of the main distinctions among Amish communities [4].
Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities have been using horse and buggy transportation for many years, and as they continue to grow and expand, so does the use of this mode of transportation [7]. However, with the increasing use of horse and buggy transportation, the number of buggy crashes with motor vehicles has also increased, highlighting the importance of safety measures for both Amish and non-Amish individuals who share the roads.
In conclusion, the color of Amish buggies can vary depending on the community to which its owner belongs. The use of horse and buggy transportation is an important aspect of Amish life, and as the Amish continue to grow and expand, it is important to consider the safety of all individuals who share the roads.
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According to [1], black is the most common color for Amish buggies, but not all black buggies are from the same settlement. There are various shapes and designs to Amish buggies. Meanwhile, [2], [3], and [4], describe the association of certain buggy colors with specific Amish settlements:
- Gray: Lancaster County buggy or one of its daughter settlements
- Brown: Amish community at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and at its daughter settlements in New York
- White: Nebraska Amish settlement
- Old Order Mennonites: black
According to [4], the default color of buggies was bright yellow due to the most common color for waterproof fabric being yellow in the early 1900s. Eventually, the Old Order Mennonites would adopt black, and the Amish would use gray.
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