Parts of Indiana's Amish Acres going on auction block

NAPPANEE, Ind. (AP) - A popular tourist attraction in northern Indiana that provides a glimpse into the life and history of the Amish is going on the auction block later this week, a newspaper reported Sunday.

It's not clear if Wednesday's auction will mean that Amish Acres in Nappanee will continue in the form it has for the last 50 years.

It's located some 30 miles southeast of South Bend and includes historical cabins, barns and other structures, most of which date back to the 1800s. It also includes the 400-seat Round Barn Theatre.

Richard Pletcher and other family members have built up the brand to the point that it draws 150,000 visitors each year. But he told the South Bend Tribune that keeping it going is 'œa year-round effort'ť and they're 'œall exhausted.'ť

With no sure offers for the whole complex, Pletcher chose to auction parts and parcels of Amish Acres off. Pletcher's hope and that of local businessmen is that, even if there are different owners in the future, it can continue to operate as a single entity.

The South Bend Tribune says Amish Acres as a whole has been valued at about $5 million.