Kishacoquillas Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kishacoquillas Valley |
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Length | 27 miles (43 km) approx. northeast-southwest |
| Width | 2.5 miles (4.0 km) approx. |
| Geography | |
| Location | Mifflin County, Pennsylvania |
| Population centers | Allensville, Belleville and Milroy |
| Borders on | Stone Mountain (west/north) Jacks Mountain (east/south) |
The Kishacoquillas Valley, often called Kish Valley or Big Valley, is a special valley in Central Pennsylvania. It's shaped like a big bowl, surrounded by mountains. This type of valley is called an anticlinal valley. It is part of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, a mountain range known for its long, parallel ridges. You can find the valley mostly in Mifflin County and a little bit in Huntingdon County.
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Geography of Kishacoquillas Valley
The valley is located between two large mountain ridges. Stone Mountain is to the north and west. Jacks Mountain forms the ridge to the south and east.
Water from the valley flows out through the Kishacoquillas Creek. This creek cuts through Jacks Mountain in a narrow passage called Mann Narrows. This type of passage is known as a water gap. The creek then flows into the Juniata River.
U.S. Route 322 is a main road that follows the creek through this gap. It helps people travel across the valley. This route connects important cities like Harrisburg and State College. The Mifflin County Airport is also located within the valley.
Amish and Mennonite Communities
The Kishacoquillas Valley is home to a large and old Amish community. It was started in 1791, making it the third-oldest Amish settlement still active today. By 2013, there were 26 Amish church districts here. This means there were more than 3,000 Amish people living in the valley.
Many different groups of Amish and Mennonites live in the valley. A famous expert on the Amish, John A. Hostetler, said it has "one of the most diverse expressions of Anabaptist-Mennonite culture anywhere in North America." Some of the specific Amish groups found here include the Nebraska Amish, who are very traditional. You can also find the Byler Amish and the Renno Amish.
The valley shares many things with the Lancaster region in Pennsylvania. People in the valley often speak with accents similar to those heard in Lancaster. Some residents still speak a special form of the German language called Pennsylvania Dutch.
Main Towns in the Valley
Several towns are located within the Kishacoquillas Valley:
- Belleville
- Milroy
- Reedsville
- Barrville
- Allensville
- Airydale
History of the Valley
The valley was named in 1759 by John Armstrong. He named it after a friendly Shawnee chief. The Shawnee name means "The snakes are already in their dens."
A book called Rosanna of the Amish was written in 1940 by Joseph Yoder. This novel tells stories about life in the valley in the late 1800s. It is based on his own experiences.
