This Is Rural KANSAS: Dying Towns In America's Heartland

[@grahamargent8057]

Once upon a time those houses had happy people living in them. Nothing is forever

[@MrMilwaukee]

Worst thing to hear, “ok everyone that’s the end of this one” 😕. Thanks for the video Joe! Makes my day every time.

[@Vsc-yicu101]

Makes me sad too!😢 love their vlogs.

[@Vsc-yicu101]

Went so fast. Thank you Joe and Nick for a wonderful video. Forever your fan, from Renton Washington State.

[@nancyrauch9492]

One thing I noticed Joe about these small towns is that the main streets were very clean ! It seems they take pride in their main streets. I would have loved to see them when they were first settled & built up. I bet they were quite beautiful with the citizens eager to have them thrive ! Thank you for taking me along !! Your videos always make my day a GOOD day ! 😊😊

[@jefftrego8491]

Yes WE actually care about our environment here!! 😊

[@KS5040]

@@jefftrego8491 Most people in rural Kansas (western half) are all about water mining and destroying the water table (Ogallala Aquifer) to make more money by irrigating corn in a near desert climate. The height of arrogance and stupidity. If you do some research that would be called "The Tragedy of the Commons."

[@nightfly1]

Hello Joe, I love seeing all the interesting old houses. All the architectural designs of days gone by. 🙂

[@TaterTots380]

14:08 is the Cedar Vale Nursing Center that closed down around the 2010s.

[@chrispurse3931]

I was wondering if that is what it was.

[@rockerz57]

Born there. (Caney) It was a great place to grow up in the 60s and 70s. Hiway use to run thru downtown. Bowling Alley, Movie Theater, High School were all downtown. Drive In Theater just east of town..it was awesome. In the late 70s, things changed quickly and it has never recovered. Sad.

[@MM-ks7vs]

Near to I35...

[@RichardFelstead1949]

@@MM-ks7vs Was I35 the "culprit" for the towns decreasing population? btw G'day from Australia.

[@greg19670]

From Copan here. Spent a lot of time in Caney. Saw Star Wars in 1977 at the theater in Caney

[@tudo8412]

I really like your Videos because otherwise I would never be able to see and witness these scenes forever. Who would naturally go to places like this ? I will always encourage you two. I wish your ALWAYS happy, healthy, safe and lucky on every path your take. Thanks JOE & NIC 🍀

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words!!

[@analevak9858]

I never cease to be amazed by the beautiful architecture in these small towns. Those four beautiful, stately churches so close to each other are just wild!

[@jamesculver605]

I grew up in Caney in the 50’s and 60’s, it was a thriving town back then, sad to see it today

[@matclark70]

Another great video. Sedan Kansas is the birthplace of Emmett Kelly. Notable people born in these towns might be a fun fact to add to your narration. Very enjoyable, as always.

[@RpgOverlordGamer]

Thank you for letting us see these locations, true pioneers. Always excited for new locations

[@YanalFanio]

Great video, as usual! You never cease to amaze.

[@NicholasShade-eq1ts]

🌈

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you! ☺️😀

[@zoeyrochellezhombie829]

Never cease to amaze. How?

[@ammapuramsrinivasrao2249]

Kansas towns, with glow of past century, shadows lengthening at present, still with a cool look. Liked. Thanks.

[@waynestewart6882]

Really enjoy your town tours Joe. Great narration, you have a radio voice sir.

[@mamasinger49]

I always feel sad seeing abandoned houses, especially when they are older ones as they would have had a lot of memories associated with them. I do love how some of the down town areas have such lovely architecture, would love to have been born earlier and lived in one of these towns in it's heyday. Thank you again for a great video.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You’re welcome!!!

[@lillypad9960]

Joe, would love to be in the rumble seat as you tour our magnificent country, town by town. I enjoy these videos very much. Blessings from Michigan.

[@patm5594]

Thanks for another interesting video, Joe. I love Kansas. It's such a beautiful and diverse state

[@NicholasShade-eq1ts]

I love how it opens with those two Silo's. 💛 I loved all of the towns. If I ever go by Sedan, I'll have to go to that theater. 🎭 If I go to any of those towns, I'll visit all of there businesses. 🤎

[@jefferyclark351]

Just discovered your videos . Enjoy very much. You and wife be me and my wife favorite go to station on u-tube TV. We from Rockdale Texas . The food ya’ll order sure looks good and they or proud of it from the prices. You’re videos be best thing on TV these days . Thanks !

[@kristenwilliams9880]

When I started the video and you were in Caney, I wondered if you'd be hitting Sedan and Cedar Vale, too. And you sure did. I miss being out in that part of the country. Everything along 166 through there is just so cool. It was the only highlight of trucking for me.

[@kevinknight470]

Hey Joe, thanx for sharing. Thought I saw peak pop in 1940.? Love these Vids, keep them coming. Best to You and Nic in 2025. 😃

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

Some nice old houses in Caney. Sedan looks nice. Love the courthouse. The house in Cedar Vale that burned is sad. Looking forward to your OK video!

[@MC-l1g]

Dear guys, I love your videos because all the information, history, down to earth you guys are, please continue your journey safe, causiouly where ever you guys go, keep it as you do, simple. Thank you.❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@kaitlynnetanner2811]

I really enjoy your videos. I've lived in Kansas my entire life and it makes me happy to see these tiny towns getting their day to be witnessed. I'd love to see u do more exploring in north central Kansas (Clay County, which is where I'm from, Cloud County, and those areas) as there's a lot of gems up this way! Thanks again for sharing your videos with us.

[@kennedyntommy]

living in kansas now i enjoy seeing other parts of the state

[@freddypflugbeil6]

Creepy and lonely towns Can't wait to see next video. Thanks for the show Joe and Nic

[@marcomcdowell8861]

That glorious red, white and blue billowing against that beautiful blue sky!

[@greggbryson3957]

Came to show my support. Thanks for sharing and have a great day. 🌹☕👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Gregg!!

[@stacyr7032]

Oh how exciting, you're close to Iola, Humboldt and chanute😊. All South east corner of kansas has quite a few super small run down towns.

[@LTOR81]

About an hour North of where I grew up thanks Joe!

[@m.d.grimes1622]

Another great video, thanks. I'm anxious to see your next one in OK, my Dad's family was from there.

[@AwlDeigh]

Great episode…have driven thru Kansas and took roads less traveled…was amazing those what ghosts towns have developed..interestingly enough very clean relatively speaking

[@muriankijoshua]

Nick you love cats very much. Every time you find a cat I ear a voice full of excitement

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

These towns must have more money than first impressions would allude given the amount of relatively expensive cars and trucks around the place.

[@safepetproducts]

There is a lot of wealth out there. I will guarantee you there are millionaires in these towns.

[@KS5040]

No, not much wealth, most people stay poorer by buying expensive depreciating assets like overpriced cars. The severely depressed housing prices tell all you need to know about the demand to live in the area and how many people are leaving as fast as they can.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

@@KS5040 I live in a very similar example of these areas in Australia. Same thing with ruins and empty shops and poverty however the surrounding farmers are very cashed up but invest nothing in the local towns while they drive around in brand new RAMs, F-250s and Land Cruisers moaning about how hard up they are. Guessing not much different in the US.

[@KS5040]

@@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt Yeah, same rural attitudes, and then the older people wonder why all the younger generations leave as fast as they can for better opportunities in the larger cities.

[@yeoldmetalhead6592]

@safepetproducts the older ones call themselves "land poor"

[@skeletor9121]

Joe. Not sure when you shot this video, but Kansas just got hammered with a winter storm. Drive safely my friend. 👍🏻✌️

[@catherinefrancis5827]

Great videos as usual ❤ thank you

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks for watching! 👍

[@RichardFelstead1949]

I always look forward to your videos Joe and Nic.All the best from Albury NSW Australia.

[@catlover614]

A great video as always, fascinating towns! I love the old theatre! Thanks so much, Joe and Nic.😊💚

[@wrath231]

Hopefully someone else will take up the mantle when they're sick of travelling. I'd love to, just don't have the time or money .

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for being awesome as usual, CL!!

[@microskifffishing7197]

Cool stuff, enjoy watching the videos, just wish we could see more of the countryside as you travel from town to town.

[@susiekirk1589]

You always do a great job of investigating these towns and cities. Very sad they can't be fixed up due to lack of money. We miss seeing Nic and you at the restaurants at the end. Hope she returns soon. Have not seen her in many moons! Miss her input. ❤

[@lindaraearms3496]

We have been watching your shows since you began. The question we always have, especially in almost dead towns is where do they work? It would be an interesting bit to add to your statistics.

[@Neilsowards]

I agree. He did that in the small town in Missouri which had an influx of Sudanese refugees. They worked in the Tyson plant.America needs immigrants to work.

[@Nikua13]

I to think about this question. In the hay days what was it that brought the population boom, too?

[@trudylynch6750]

thanks joe from scotland,uk.

[@TraceyM.]

That old house with the right amount of money Could Be Amazing to rehab!

[@joelhermann3516]

Grew up in SE Nebraska. When 18, we drove down to Kansas to buy 3.2 beer. What an adventure!!

[@deanpercossi7690]

Hey Jo n Nic,just wanted to say hi n thanks for making these vids,very informative with good panning,i'm from oz,it's like driving through these towns with so much history,i think some of those rural towns would be a great place to retire in,they seem so peacefull,anyway hope you keep making them.🚙🐱

[@KS5040]

No, the rural towns are very bad places to retire in if you need specialized healthcare, as these towns are very far removed from sizable cities with hospitals.

[@thesuncollective1475]

The houses look pretty fancy. Good retirement prospect.

[@SoWereDoingWhatNow]

I missed that bit, Saw lots of thing crumbling. Which town was this?

[@KS5040]

No one should aspire to retire in rural Kansas as hospitals in small towns are closing left and right. Good luck if you need specialized healthcare- it could be 1-2 hours away or more.

[@BrotherKyler]

@@SoWereDoingWhatNowLots of nice old houses in Caney and Sedan.

[@RobOlgatree]

Thanks Joe, always a good visit

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Rob!!

[@davepollock9362]

Would be cool to see you check out Council Grove KS, Cottonwood Falls KS. CG is on the Historic Registry.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I’ll put it on my list!

[@gingerburns2041]

Francis Thompson my Aunt was from that area I loved visiting there as a child

[@KS5040]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in the Flint Hills is nice in Chase County, not too far from Cottonwood Falls.

[@sarahdearborn9191]

Interesting and relaxing video as always. Can't imagine so many churches so close together. So much decay. Like you said, no money to tear things down, or fix them up.❤😊

[@christysbutterfly1612]

Caney mirrors Hominy Oklahoma. Peoples homes are run down but there's new vehicles in the driveway/yard. There's what could be beautiful homes only no one has the desire to put in an effort. It's frustrating. If you want to visit a thriving small town, visit Sterling Kansas ❤ (I'm very partial, grew up there) Sterling truly is part of the "Heartbeat of America". Oh and make sure you go to beautiful Wilson Lake then to Lucas Kansas and tour "The Garden of Eden!" (Lucas is another small town ❤ Hugs from Oklahoma ~Christy

[@larrylindvig7388]

Thanks Joe for showing us mid-America. I live in Washington State and it is mind blowing to see such poverty. The mid-priced homes of $35,000 sure beats the mid-priced homes in the Seattle- Bellevue area of $1,500.000.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It’s crazy, isn’t it? Thank you for the comment, Larry.

[@gingertom2768]

Love it when you say alot of stuff !!!!

[@Lu22383]

Missed you all doing a Christmas show this year…..I enjoyed last years . I am enjoying your travels😊

[@gingerburns2041]

Waverly,Lebo, Agricola where I grew up I miss there so much I miss the country life for sure

[@alexstudniarz1183]

I really enjoy your videos.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@MarshaCorne]

I really enjoy your videos and am amazed at some of the statistics for the towns. I can't figure out grocery category though and the fluctuations for that. The poverty rates for the elderly always interest me due to my retired age as well. The condition of some of the older homes is heart breaking when you see the beautiful architecture slowly rotting away. Thank you for sharing the information!!

[@davidlaramore1359]

I played football and wrestled in these towns. I lived in Beaumont and attended Bluestem Leon school

[@jeffraines414]

as of the 2020 census there were 36 people living in Beaumont 😮

[@davidlaramore1359]

@ yes we moved there from Texas and turned it on its head if you could imagine. It was the last of the heydays

[@Jody-kt9ev]

Since I am from Oklahoma, eagerly awaiting your next videos.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I am as well. I always enjoy spending time in my home state. 😀👍

[@muriankijoshua]

Everything is beautiful isn't it?? But I love your shows Nick very good explanation.

[@sherriganske4292]

Very nice town😊

[@marywalker2896]

Wow cheap living!always enjoy your content..seeing places I will never see..thx for letting us explore with you..

[@don66hotrod94]

Bud McClure was the Case dealer in Caney until 1985.

[@NicholasShade-eq1ts]

Thanks for the info. 🤎

[@AllanHunter-c2l]

You have nice videos, not just showing towns but History as well.

[@juliogonzales5441]

GREAT VIDEO JOE HI NIC ❤

[@richardwilliamson1639]

Caney looks pretty tolerable. When you go to western Kansas, check out Ellis, where Walter Chrysler grew up. Really beautiful in the summer.

[@khaterehlunden5136]

Thank you very much

[@michaelhager2846]

Thank you 😊

[@underthehall]

What website(s) do you use for your city stats? Thanks!

[@underthehall]

Love your channel!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I use Census Reporter for demographics, and AreaVibes for crime & cost of living.

[@justmefl7045]

Property taxes in SE Kansas are outrageous. More than double what we paid in Missouri.

[@everydaypresent444]

I always wonder what it would be like to live in towns that small. Would it be nice and quiet, or too quiet? At least we get a look at such places through your captivating videos! ❤

[@jjarm]

As with me, those wrap around porches really catch your eye Joe!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree!

[@mkr4922]

I have a friend that lives in Shaw Kansas which is east of these town. A spot in the road

[@Crankinstien]

Love these

[@SevenBrokenBar]

Both of my parents are from Cedar Vale been there many times to see the grandparents.

[@vontaylor472]

Great video❤❤❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Appreciate it! 👍

[@malibu965]

Joe&NIC late happy new year 2025, I retire soon, so I started cleaning up my old hometown house that I inherited. I removed a lot of bamboo and seeds, vines. It will take 1-2 years to repair house DIY. I plan to spend time in my hometown when I turn 65. sad to see abandoned houses always but It must be the cycle of great nature . Have a good time ~

[@patjohnson9287]

Thanks

[@topekasub]

I rode the Trailways bus to Caney and transferred to another bus to Tulsa! My pictures from that trip show the bus depot and a Chevrolet car dealership nearby! I didn’t see that in your video! Sad!

[@johnniemills2644]

How many miles on bronco keep up the good work I enjoy I have been to a lot of the places when I was younger

[@Atwater20]

Thumbs-up again for you, Joe.

[@kentbarnes1955]

A very nice, if overall depressing video. My sister-in-law because of becoming disabled and loosing the ability to work sold her house and bought a much much smaller, and much much older (over 100+ years) house in Weir KS. My son and I worked many months in 2024 to make it livable...it literally started out much like some of the "not quite" collapsing houses in your video. It is so sad seeing these structures fall apart. Such are the works of man... Have a safe trip to Oklahoma.

[@Sandrosena-o7v]

Gosto de assistir seus vídeos são muito bons. Brasil 🇧🇷 Manaus Amazonas 👏👏👏👍

[@SanFelipeCreek]

$39,000 thousand dollars a year that is poverty It's almost like $85,000 to $93,000 in Hawaii is not enough a year . 🐈 ? Did the little town of Caney have any cats ? Joe and Nick I'm over here in Springfield MO I enjoy your videos I'm not from Springfield I'm from St Louis originally Dexter Lombardo 🧔🤠👋👍🐈🛣️

[@normasnyder6177]

Great video. Love all the small towns. So beautiful in their own way. Thank you. Be safe.

[@standupbcounted2420]

Hello Nic, it was a car in the driveway on the two-story house in Caney. You stated, "You guess no one lives there." 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@TinkerTailor4303]

Nic is his wife. Joe is the narrator.😊

[@larrybarton9485]

Nic did not say that. It was Joe. This was the JOE road trip it seems.

[@SamuelObierojr]

We missed you, Joe. Watching from Kenya.

[@eldonhoward7925]

There are small towns like this pretty much all over the country.

[@greg19670]

Be sure to hit Copan Oklahoma on your way thru Oklahoma towns. It's directly south of Caney. My hometown. Like a lot of towns, it was bi passed when they built the new highway.

[@escapetoAtlanticCanada2019]

Hi Nic and Joe, loving your content - as always. If you’re going to Nebraska, can I put word in for Beatrice? I have family ties there, but I live in Canada and have never been. Anyway, that’s my request, but I’ll enjoy it no matter where you go. Cheers

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Since you asked so nicely, yes, I will put it on my list! We’ll be stopping in Nebraska this summer on our way to, guess where….Canada!! 😀👍

[@escapetoAtlanticCanada2019]

@ fantastic! What regions of Canada are you looking at exploring?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@escapetoAtlanticCanada2019 On our first trip we’ll be heading straight north from Dallas (we’ll stop in Nebraska on the way) to western Ontario (through International Falls, Minnesota) then head west to Winnipeg in Manitoba. Of course, I’ll video lots of small, out of the way towns while there. There’ll be other trips in Canada as well over the next couple years.

[@couerl]

I would love to renovate one of those old brick buildings and live upstairs and sell stuff downstairs, but it's kind of a pipedream I think. You'd basically have to set up a web store and hope to sell stuff there.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Sell to who? Notice near all the stores are closed? That is why these towns are the way they are. Nobody to sell anything to. You could set up a webstore and shipping will kill you.

[@couerl]

@ Ya ya, I get it. Pipedream. That said, you can buy a sweet old building dirt cheap and renovate it and live like a king.

[@brianmcdonough5671]

on the family trips to see grandparents the family drove thru all these towns.

[@BusTravelNepal]

In Texas they have a town called New Caney. Nice video. Good Evening from Nepal we had Earthquake here today.

[@redrebels24]

AWESOME Flag..downtown Sadan is Epic

[@Christina-ge3xr]

Hope you two missed the snow/ice storm!

[@zekesgirl100]

Sedan also has the Yellow Brick Road downtown.

[@ustekinumab-n5h]

Some of those old homes are gorgeous, but the cost to heat and air condition them must be prohibitive.

[@ExploreAmericana]

Been there many times. My Wife has family that live there. But on the outside of town.

[@WhittyPics]

Nothing like a mid week bonus video

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks!!

[@endurancegoliath4569]

12:14 wow that house is in the 100k to 200 k bracket. 200 k for that house is dirt cheap. It would cost well over a million in my country. Several million if it was located in the Amsterdam area, or Randstad in general ( most expensive part of the country)

[@DaveMar-w6r]

Great video again!