Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania is a small unincorporated community located in Lancaster County. The quaint town of around 400 people got its peculiar name from an intriguing legend dating back to the 1700s.
The Legend Behind the Name
The most popular story behind the name Bird in Hand dates back to 1734, when white settlers were first establishing homesteads in the area. As the tale goes, two brothers were hunting together when they came across a flock of wild turkeys. One brother took a shot but only managed to hit a single bird. The other brother encouraged him to take the sure thing rather than risk losing the bird to chase more. The first brother replied, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
This ancient proverb praising caution and contentment with what one already has was memorialized as the name of their settlement. Though no historical records confirm this legend, it has persevered as the prevailing explanation for the town’s peculiar moniker.
History of the Town
The area around present-day Bird in Hand was originally inhabited by the Susquehannock Native Americans. They were driven out by violent conflicts with the Iroquois Confederation and white settlers between the 17th and 18th centuries.
The first European settlers arrived in the early 1700s, drawn by the fertile farmland. Many of these early colonists came as part of a wave of Amish and Mennonite immigrants from Germany and Switzerland. They were granted religious freedom in the countryside of Pennsylvania by founder William Penn.
18th Century
Throughout the 1700s, more Europeans settled in the Bird in Hand countryside, steadily displacing the Native Americans. Farms producing crops and livestock spread across the landscape. Mills, shops, taverns, and churches gradually arose to form a community cluster.
The settlement was initially known as “The Crossroads” because of the intersection of two major transportation routes. It was incorporated as Bird in Hand in 1796.
19th Century
In the early 1800s, Bird in Hand continued growing as a rural agricultural village. It became known for its bountiful harvests and productive farms. The heart of the town was Smoketown Road, later renamed as Old Philadelphia Pike. This dirt thoroughfare bustled with activity from wagons, horses, and pedestrians.
When the railroad came to the area in 1832, it transformed transportation and commerce. Bird in Hand Station was built just south of the main village, stimulating development of railroad-related businesses nearby. However, the rise of the automobile and improved roads later made rail less essential.
20th Century
Bird in Hand changed little over the first half of the 20th century, remaining a quiet country town focused on agriculture. Technological and social changes spreading through America largely bypassed the conservative community.
In the postwar era, Bird in Hand saw modest suburban growth as population decentralized from cities. But it maintained its rural small-town character and strong Amish presence. Tourism increased as outsiders were drawn to the simple lifestyle of the Amish.
The Amish Community
The Amish have had a profound influence on the history and identity of Bird in Hand. Amish settlers arrived in the area around 1740. Today Lancaster County has one of the largest Amish populations in America, with over 33,000 Amish residents.
Beliefs and Lifestyle
The Amish are a traditionalist Christian group descended from the Anabaptist movement in Europe. They live simple lives, often farming, and reject most modern technologies and conveniences. The Amish prioritize community, humility, manual labor, and separation from the non-Amish world.
Common sights in Bird in Hand are Amish driving horse-drawn buggies, wearing traditional garb, and using farming equipment pulled by horses or mules. The Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, a version of German, amongst themselves.
Tourism
Thousands of visitors come to Bird in Hand each year to experience Amish culture and shop for quilts, baked goods, and other handcrafts. Local businesses like Amish farms, markets, bakeries, and quilt shops cater to this tourism. Some provide tours or meals on Amish family homesteads.
While interactions with outsiders are limited, tourism revenue helps sustain traditional Amish ways in Bird in Hand. Some criticize this as encouraging a one-dimensional image of Amish life.
Notable Local Businesses
Despite its tiny size, Bird in Hand has a number of successful local businesses thanks to ample tourist traffic:
Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market
This large market complex houses over 60 Amish vendor stands selling fresh baked goods, produce, canned goods, furniture, quilts, and more. It offers the experience of shopping directly from Amish and Mennonite craftspeople and farmers.
Bird in Hand Bakery & Cafe
Founded in 1949, this bakery produces fresh bread and pastries using traditional Amish recipes and methods. Its retail store and restaurant share this authentic taste of Amish cuisine.
Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides
One of many Amish buggy tour operators, Aaron & Jessica provide 1-hour horse-drawn rides narrated by an Amish driver. Riders get an inside look at Amish life while enjoying the pace of travel by buggy.
Village Quilt Shop
This quilt shop stocks over 2,000 handmade quilts by local Amish women. They specialize in uniquely patterned Lancaster County Amish quilts, a popular craft item for visitors.
Tourist Attractions
In addition to Amish-themed business, Bird in Hand has several tourist attractions celebrating the area’s heritage and showcasing performing arts:
Bird in Hand Stage
This live theater venue presents musicals and children’s productions to entertain both locals and tourists. Recent shows include Annie, Peter Pan, and The Sound of Music.
Bird in Hand Historical Society Museum
Located in Bird in Hand’s old public school building, this museum displays artifacts illuminating the town’s history. Exhibits cover early settlers, the railroad, agriculture, and the Amish community.
Bird in Hand Post Office
Bird in Hand has retained its own local post office since 1804. Visitors enjoy sending letters or postcards stamped with the town’s iconic name at this historic site.
Pennsylvania Fire Museum
Celebrating the fire company formed in Bird in Hand in 1936, this museum showcases antique firetrucks and equipment. Visitors can learn about innovations in firefighting spanning over a century.
Location and Geography
Bird in Hand sits in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, a region named for early German settlers. Some key facts about its location and environment:
- Located in eastern Lancaster County along Old Philadelphia Pike (Route 340)
- Situated 10 miles east of the city of Lancaster
- Positioned among gently rolling hills typical of the Piedmont region
- Drained by the Little Conestoga Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River
- Features fertile limestone-based farmland ideal for agriculture
- Climate is humid continental with seasonal variations and ample rainfall
The lush rural landscape around Bird in Hand supports productive farming, especially for crops like tobacco, grains, vegetables, and dairy. The town has retained its historic small-town character despite encroaching suburbanization in Lancaster County.
Demographics
As an unincorporated community, Bird in Hand does not have precisely defined demographic statistics. But some estimates suggest:
- Population around 400, though the surrounding area has over 3,000 residents
- Predominantly Caucasian, with Amish representing around 35% of residents
- Largely working-class, with many employed in agriculture, crafts/trades, retail, and tourism
- High share of residents with Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry
- Average age in the mid-30s, with large families common
- Population density of 665 people per square mile in the core village
Bird in Hand has an exceptionally low crime rate, even for rural Lancaster County. Poverty and unemployment are negligible in the Amish community, which supports members’ basic needs.
Government and Infrastructure
As an unincorporated community, Bird in Hand lacks formal local government. It relies on surrounding East Lampeter Township for municipal services like policing, road maintenance, and land use planning.
Public education is provided by the Lancaster County-based Conestoga Valley School District. But most Amish children attend private Amish schools only through 8th grade.
Bird in Hand contains around 130 homes plus several dozen businesses. Locals receive water and electricity from public utilities. There are no traffic lights in the village, just stop signs.
Conclusion
In summary, Bird in Hand’s quirky name stems from an old folktale reflecting the values of its early settlers. This tiny village has preserved its rural identity and Amish heritage despite suburban growth around it. Simple pleasures like horse-drawn buggies, family farms, and homegrown food remain central to life in Bird in Hand. The town offers visitors an authentic glimpse into Pennsylvania Dutch Country and Amish culture.
So next time you visit Pennsylvania Dutch Country, be sure to stop in the charming village of Bird in Hand. From its old-fashioned general store to its picturesque Amish farms, it’s a refreshing break from the modern world. While the legend explaining its name may never be verified, the town’s uniquely suited moniker evokes the spirit of simpler times in early America.
