After 1945, Perry County changed from a predominantly rural place of scattered small communities and a few larger river towns as wartime industries shifted away from war production, rationing ended, tractors became common, electricity and telephone service spread in rural areas, and the Baby Boom began. Transportation changed sharply as the Pennsylvania Railroad ended passenger service to Perry County in the 1950s, with limited freight continuing into the 1970s, while US 11/15 along the Susquehanna River was widened and straightened in stages from the 1930s through the 1990s and was entirely four-lane, limited access from Duncannon to Liverpool by 2001. A four-lane, limited access highway also gradually replaced the narrow east-west route along the Juniata; the five-mile section of US 22/322 from Amity Hall to Midway opened on November 25, 1964, was runner-up for scenic beauty in a national Parade magazine contest, reached Newport in 1966, and Millerstown by 1967. New immigration followed the early 1970s opening of the George Wade Bridge carrying I-81 across the Susquehanna River, as families drawn by lower land prices, scenery, and a rural lifestyle moved into Perry County, especially in its eastern half, and the population surged by 43% in the 1970s and 80s. In the 1970s, Amish and Mennonites also came for lower farmland prices; by 1976 local plain-sect church services were being held, and in 1978 Mary Zook began teaching 16 pupils from six Amish and two Mennonite families at Sherman's View school. Both faiths reject government and military service, remain visibly apart from contemporary society and culture, and continue to grow while helping preserve Perry County's rural and land-based culture. Despite population growth, fertile well-drained soils and access to local markets have sustained Perry County's agricultural economy, lifestyle, and natural beauty into the 21st century.