[ RIP 2023 ] Dutch Haven Lancaster County PA – Amish Stuff Shoofly Pie and Moving Windmill! [VIDEO]

2023 UPDATE : Sad to report that Dutch Haven closed on January 1 and is for sale for 2.4 million dollars:

https://www.pennlive.com/business/2023/01/landmark-central-pa-roadside-attraction-for-sale-for-24-million.html

2019 Update – Happy to say that Dutch Haven continues to represent the old school roadside attractions on Route 30 / Lincoln Highway, which is continually being generified with big and boring chain stores.

Watch our video visit to this “Lanc-Vegas” Landmark!

Original 2010 Post:

The Dutch Haven Gift Shop and its whirling windmill is one of my fave sights on Route 30 in Lancaster County PA. It started out in the 1920’s as a luncheonette serving Pennsylvania Dutch style food, but now it’s a gift shop filled with Amish Stuff and known for just one type of food, Shoofly pie!

(Who can resist an actual turning windmill? It even lights up at night! Fancy doin’s especially in these parts!)

A molasses based gooey pie with a crumb top, the Dutch Haven’s sample of Shoo-Fly pie goes is handed to you with a generous blop of whipped cream on top. “This is how they getcha!” I say to Retro Roadhusband, “First they give you a sample, then you want the whole pie, next thing you know, you’re turning Amish!”

Now you and I both know that I don’t need another souvenir, tchotschke, gew-gaw or dust catcher, but does that ever stop us from wandering around the Windmill? Nosiree! And c’mon I have to buy something, I mean, they gave me a free bite of pie!

I never get tired of looking at the well preserved signs and paintings that surround the interior of the main building with their brightly colored Plain Folk (oxymoron?) and clever sayings.

And the lover of the tacky treasure in me always delights in their wide assortment of trivets-with-a-message.

So if you want a sweet treat or a corny gift to remind yourself of a wonderful trip down the Lincoln Highway in Lancaster County, look for the spinning windmill at the Dutch Haven. It’s a Retro Roadmap must stop!