NEBRASKA: Forgotten Rural Towns FAR OFF The Interstate

I visited these rural Nebraska towns: Randolph, Belden, Coleridge, Laurel, Wayne & Wakefield.
Joe's Instagram: / joeysroadtrip
Travel Vlog 244

[@myrskylintu1]

Nebraska looks beautiful. Wide open hilly plains. Strange how quiet all main streets are.

[@PenSteel-ih8qr]

That's because it's mostly agricultural and everyone is out in the fields , summer is go time in the midwest!! Comeback around Sept or October and you'll see a lot more action in town and also with small towns schools are consolidated so there might be 6 or 7 towns using a single school with all grades at that school!!! There isn't a junior high and a high school!!!

[@patm5594]

Love these small Midwestern towns. So many hidden treasures

[@CharlottePrattWilson]

Hey Joe, how about going into one these little country stores? You might get to talk to someone about their town. And it would be interesting to see what they sell. 😊

[@muhindoibrahim5427]

Sis how can I get a job in that side

[@randoncornell528]

Plzz do this Joe😅 was thinking this since u were n Mississippi lol. Drive safe brudda🎉

[@Ghost-ir7yl]

@@muhindoibrahim5427 not be black

[@truecatholic8692]

@@Ghost-ir7yl Rural people are actually the most welcoming.

[@Revolution1975]

He's explained before that interviews and getting people to sign releases are too cumbersome and would require a lot more time and effort than what he does now.

[@bobmanfre5083]

6:50. That Dalmatian Statue was designed by Peter Langley, my Uncle. The Statue was commissioned in 1963 and you can find them in front of small town Fire Departments all across the country. He was fondly named 'Lucky' after one of the main characters in the original '101 Dalmatians' movie.

[@anthonyagudo208]

Thanks for the info

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That's very cool. :)

[@sharonm.t.2492]

Interesting! Thanx for that info.

[@alexshaw250]

Thank you Joe and Nic for representing my home state with interest and respect. As a Nebraskan I’ve watched some videos from KZbinrs who are less than interested and less than polite when they visit. So I appreciate that you take time and visit small towns like the one I live in south of Hastings and put it in a fair perspective! Thank you for your intriguing videos they are always a great watch

[@MG2000MDPHD]

I'm jelly of all these towns Joe and Nic allow me to see! Be proud of your homes and towns. And please never mind the bigots.

[@TinkerTailor4303]

I like the state's new ad campaign: "Nebraska -- It's not for everyone." Says a lot without saying a lot, if you catch my drift.😉

[@daviddecelles8714]

To me, it means Nebraska only wants the people of best character. Did you have that in mind as well?

[@TinkerTailor4303]

@@daviddecelles8714 I don't know if you're asking me but I will give my opinion in case you are! To me, it addresses all the naysayers who complain about Nebraska being boring, dull, having nothing to do, etc. They are what they are and a lot of people like them for that.

[@FJA---]

would that be Blue Hill or Red Cloud?

[@neilabernath5862]

Spent the summer at age 16 working on a ranch in western Nebraska. My parents sent me there to get me out of the inner city and keep me out of trouble. Loved the work and people, but hated Nebraska. Was 90° every day. The nearest town was boring, other ranch hands hung out at the bar, but nothing for a 16 year old. Now a lot older, Nebraska looks beautiful.

[@muhindoibrahim5427]

Am from Rwenzori mountains Kasese, how can I get a job there,

[@BonnieGipson-xc3rc]

For decades I had wanted just to start out driving and stop and every town along the way just to see what was there. In late June Dream Weavers provided me a trip to do just that. But since my health is much worse than when I first thought of taking such a trip, I got so tired I came home earlier that I really wanted to come home. I wasn't doing the driving. My nephew was driving and my sister was with us. Now I get to see towns watching your channel. I love your channer.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Bonnie!

[@lowersaxon]

I‘ve heard one of the three crimes in Belden was when the black cat we see in the video killed a neighbor‘s parrot. The court said its murder of third degree due to the neighbor not closing the parrot‘s cage. Obviously the cat was set on free foot again.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Could've happened. :)

[@chrisrankinsmusiccrush9493]

I noticed significantly how all the roads in these towns were all really well maintained and ultra clean all the lawns were cut and gardens neat, pretty towns.

[@andrewward5891]

The residents make decent money in these towns so they and the local governments can afford to keep things neat.

[@chrisrankinsmusiccrush9493]

@@andrewward5891 exactly, I guess was reconfirming what Joe was saying and the evidence is there. Great to see local governments in this particular area doing things right and residents clearly have pride in their towns

[@lindsayobrien8110]

@@andrewward5891taxes are higher, but it gets invested back into the community.

[@robviousobviously5757]

Welcome to my home state... serenity and true joy is available if you are willing to find it...

[@MrGumby-cj8gz]

The reason many of these small towns have good income levels is because alot of the residents are over the road truck drivers. You can't help but see all the semis parked in the area.

[@buckseedamerica2743]

Small towns are the same..gossipy. People immediate know when you move in; they also know when "Joe's horse ran away, if you see Joe's horse please let him know!" 😂

[@daviddecelles8714]

Sounds sensible and practical. Is that what you meant?

[@buckseedamerica2743]

@@daviddecelles8714 To a bunch of nosey and gossipy people. Yeah, that. Immediately you'd be the one people would need to keep their eye on like a lot! 😁

[@indianaslim4971]

​@@buckseedamerica2743it takes a village to raise responsible citizens.

[@ms.marynailz748]

Don't forget drug infested.

[@josephyoung6749]

26:08 That dog is so cute

[@jeromehenry4484]

Town's Welcoming Committee!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Laurel is the epitome of small town Murica. It’s really nice to see such a thing still exists and is thriving.

[@muhindoibrahim5427]

Is there some jobs, how much can a lowest worker get?

[@stevenmoser7233]

I was engaged to a girl from randolph. Spent a summer there. Very successful farms in randolph. Thanks for visiting a memorable time of my life.

[@davidmackie2901]

Nebraska has many people who love small town living and don't mind commuting, so I suspect the relatively high incomes for the smaller towns is because to a certain extent they're bedroom communities. Runzas are seasoned ground beef, onions, and cabbage baked into a yeast bread bun. You had cheese in yours, so it was cut open to add the cheese.

[@WhittyPics]

I suspect the same thing

[@shivamx008]

What are bedroom communities?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Small towns near larger cities. People live (and sleep) in the small town and work during the day in the big city.

[@shivamx008]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip ohh, got it. With hybrid work environment now-a-days, commuting for 4-5 hours 2-3 days a week is not a challenge anymore, so I think these types of communities will only increase in coming days

[@victormorris3680]

Here in the UK we call them dormitory towns people just go home to sleep!

[@michaelharper-et7kz]

I wish you would interview some of the residents in these small town's so we can learn what it's like to live there and the history😊

[@santhanaraj5863]

This is an excellent channel, highly informative !!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@joaocandido8199]

I am brazilian and I live in Brazil. But even without knowing I love the United States. Through yours videos I know a little about this country. Thanks.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

James Colburn was one of my favorite actors. Served in the US Marines.

[@spikeyflo]

Hello from Australia. Just happened on your channel. A really great eye opener as to what Nebraska looks like. A place I've heard about but never seen. Thanks, Mike.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Travelandexploringchannel]

Very nice and informative video I feel like I'm exploring the America Lots of love from Pakistan ❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome! 👍😀

[@Slick2462]

Joe you nailed it. Firehouses, gas prices, sandwich shop and a cat! Oh and the courthouse too. This travel blog thing is becoming easy for you. Kudos

[@Lalunabreeze]

Lol😅

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks! :)

[@rexsamodio6404]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip gd am pm from Philippines 🇵🇭

[@zerog5041]

Hi Joe from a muggy, overcast 24C S. London, UK - That first town put me in mind of one of the USA's greatest film stars - Randolph Scott, then you top that with a wonderful "Magnificent Seven" actor James Coburn, now that's what I call excellent!

[@earlymorningtwilight9119]

Lived in small town Nebraska for a few years in college. I loved it. Would have liked to stay but husband got a job elsewhere.

[@billybecker3850]

Really enjoy your videos. I was born in Fairberry Nebraska. Family movied to Colorado when I was two. I have family back there there. I will tell you, most people in those small towns are farm people trucking and so on . Most all very independent hard working intelligent people..

[@swabby429]

Again, this was a nice tour. I used to live in Wakefield as a small boy. Later, I lived in Wayne for several years. I was hoping you would highlight the college campus--it's very attractive. I'm glad you had a Runza sandwich. (BTW, a heads-up, Pierre, SD is pronounced peer.)

[@theswitcher1]

Great actor James Coburn

[@greg5775]

The actors today are nothing compared to all the greats of the past. They were larger than life.

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

Nebraska looks nice. I do like small rural farming communities. I enjoyed learning about these towns and seeing them close up. Some definite hidden gems in these towns! They appear so peaceful. I will agree the crime is probably due to drinking in the pubs and having minor disagreements! Some really cool signs in these towns. Thank you for a great video!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for watching, Alexandra!

[@Sandhills_Coyote]

My great grandparents are buried there and that’s where my family came from. I haven’t been there since the early 2000’s. Thank you for the reminder to go back and check it out!

[@senatorjimdracula1603]

Coleridge has a grocery store, Ken's market! You drove past it LOL

[@user-pq4cb8pk5q]

A runza (also called a bierock, krautburger, or kraut pirok) is a yeast dough bread pocket with a filling consisting of beef, cabbage or sauerkraut, onions, and seasonings.[3][4][5][6] Runzas can be baked into various shapes such as a half-moon, a rectangle, a round (bun), a square, or a triangle. The runzas sold by the Runza restaurant chain are rectangular while many of the bierocks sold in Kansas are round buns.[7] The runza is a regional cuisine of Nebraska, with some commentators calling it "as Nebraskan as Cornhusker football."[8] It is served by the Nebraska Society of Washington, D.C.,[9] and the Nebraska Society of New York[10] at their Taste of Nebraska events and was chosen to represent the state at Flavored Nation, an event serving iconic dishes from all fifty states.[11]

[@lindsayjames216]

It's interesting to see the vastness and large spacing between all of the houses. Here in the UK 🇬🇧, unless you live in a rural area, houses are mostly terraced and semi-detached. You feel like you live with your neighbours. Their house is joined onto yours. 😂

[@kraigrogers8946]

Love touring these small Midwestern towns. Would never see them otherwise.

[@xxtheginganinjaxx3163]

I was working in this exact area over the summer! Had a job flying drones over fields to image crops for the famers of the area and got to see all these small towns firsthand. Very neat places! I stayed in Stanton Nebraska for about two months during that time, probably one of my better summers that I can remember. Verdigre is probably one of the most interesting I've been to, but they're all nice places, especially not far off Highway 275 and the other local state highways. Watch out for the sand out west!!! The minimum maintenance roads I was driving on may as well have been play sand pits, seemingly endless depth of loose soft sand. Even had cactuses in some places!

[@halfcirclehranch6877]

Current price for 210 E Jackson Street is $184,000

[@barblenzen2198]

My favorite videos of yours are these off the beaten path small towns USA love them. Thanks again and God Bless and safe travels 😊

[@ingridgriffin7779]

These small rural towns you post are amazing. All these towns I never heard of before only the larger cities associated with the state. I like the way you break down the ages, marital status, race, income and the percentages of male and females who live there. The population and the history of the town also is intriguing. I love it when you show a house and say that property has gone to nature. I enjoy your videos and love it when your wife comes along with you. You make me feel like I'm riding along with you. I can't wait until the next video. Have a Bless day.

[@richardbruce8111]

Thank you ! this is the America of my dreams, so glad it does still exist! a bit like my country New Zealand but seems real good folks still have some nice farmland still. love your commentary ! If you have time a shot of the school & quick visit to a store/bar would be nice....a coke.

[@olinwright7628]

Never gonna be tired of these. Ill be sad when its over.

[@RealWallyGator]

Awesome video! My parents met at Wayne State College and lived in Wayne when I was born in Wakefield in 1965.

[@hwillis7570]

Thank you for all of your videos. Traveling through the US is on my bucket list to see Americana. Now that I am older and still too busy. So, you are helping me to cheat. Keep up the videos. 5:32

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@blessiSwu]

The roads in the opening scene looks surreal!! I hope one day I get to visit America and definitely the countryside.

[@Travelandexploringchannel]

❤

[@FrancesBraam-et1wx]

Some of these towns are quite nice. Like Wisconsin, they have a lot of rolling hills and farms. Very positive that a town is actually growing. We need more of that! Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@gatorgogo2742]

All the towns were clean and appealing. I really like Belden! Thank you so much for beginning my weekend on a pleasant start.

[@julindahiggins1582]

The Small towns "up north" are clean, tidy and the rickety ones apparently torn down..most of the "dying towns" down-south are full of nasty festering partially destroyed houses/businesses..no wonder the whole town suffers..gotta clear out the trashy burned out abandoned places..

[@JJJBRICE]

At the beginning of the vid when Lord Spoda mentioned these towns in Nebraska that had high income levels for towns that seem to have not enough high income businesses . It made me think that many people in such towns are either heavenly invested in stocks or have valuable lands that are rented out .

[@muhindoibrahim5427]

Am live watching you, brother keep it up,an from Rwenzori mountains Kasese Uganda, but am getting exploration when am far from USA ,i appreciate you❤

[@siphomogale779]

Beautiful clean rural towns

[@kathyc8284]

I was born and raised in Nebraska!! Love it here! Small town USA! We don't live in the middle of nowhere but we can see it. 😄

[@SylvianLight]

rural areas are so nice. i'll take them over cities any day.

[@cecoya]

These are some great little towns. Grew up in a small town and sure miss it though. Now I live in a big city and sometimes it just moves too fast. You both have a great day and safe trip

[@markh3271]

These towns appear to be "bedroom communities" for the larger towns. Norfolk (pop. 25000) is only 30 miles as the crow flies and Sioux City is 45 miles by country 2 lane road. That could explain the decent wage averages yet low home costs. Empty streets during the day because most are at work, and probably why so many bars in the first few towns and not much else. Town folk wait to drink until close to home. Evening and night times are probably very busy in these towns.

[@chunter123]

Intro looks like a David Lynch movie 😂 Thanks for the architecture info- was oblivious to Richardson and now enjoy his handiwork.

[@fancyfoodexperience6351]

I’ve moved from Nebraska 29 years ago. Thanks for your videos I get to see Nebraska’s sceneries

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Wayne Courthouse…again, that tower is very reminiscent of the famous tower in Venice, St Mark’s Plaza.

[@andandovou23]

There yeah huh. These places in this country fascinate me.

[@lorainestjames4181]

Real nice towns , very impressed and love the reasonable affordable housing available in these clean towns. What i cannot understand is why no one is out about, it appears like everyone stays inside their homes on such nice days. You do not see people having company and barbequing outdoors. Is everyone inside their home on their tech divices streaming, shopping and working on line? Appreciate the tours and all the work involved to give us informative and interesting journeys through the States. Much thanks

[@angela776]

I agree! Where are all the people? No one is gardening, walking their dog or babies? Everyone walks their dogs and babies and kids ride their bikes and play outside in our town in the South!

[@tommyjexiled]

I believe that's what a lot of America is like these days. Beautiful homes I'd love to own with gorgeous porches that no one sits on.

[@truecatholic8692]

I've watched numerous of these vidoes and even in some large cities there are few people on the streets.

[@lilli9822]

I also don't understand. I am in Europe and you can see many people in the street here. Why in these villages they stay indoor all the time? Maybe this is the reason why there are many obese and unhealthy people?

[@truecatholic8692]

@@lilli9822 Depends on the day and time.

[@stratfindersmusic2875]

I was ready to move to Randolph until you mentioned the bees.

[@coldwindblowing]

OMG! My dream is know Nebraska and Alaska!! When you guys will go to Alaska? 👏🏼🎉 THANK YOU FOR THIS PRETTY VIDEO. Im drinking my coffee while watching!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We're working on Alaska. :)

[@robertbruner7429]

The Dalmatian reminded me of something: The fire dept. on Wilson avenue (Chicago) used to have a real Dalmatian that would sit on top one of the trucks and howl like crazy along with the sirens when they were making a run. He has since died and they have a little marker outside the station where he is buried, with his name "Whisky" on it.

[@stratfindersmusic2875]

Looks to me like Belden has three or four rich farmers living in the city limits and that's why median household incomes are so high.

[@KLF_]

Entertaining and informative content as always, good luck

[@mekkler]

Jackson St: $184k, built in 1922. Looks very well maintained.

[@Stesch77]

Großartig, da kann man in Ruhe leben. Vielen Dank für das Video

[@damian-795]

I live in UK and find these videos fascinating. Been to New England but not these States. I love that house at 12:00

[@sarahlouise7163]

as a Londoner, it's incredible to see so much open space, and so few people 😄 i have to say though, i find the lack of people a bit unsettling, for some reason. it feels almost post-apocalyptic in places. abandoned houses and shops, dumped cars, lonely doggos wandering about... like a film set! fascinating!

[@catlover614]

A wonderful video, as always. The bulletin board in the middle of the intersection was quite different and amusing, that's one way to get your message across !! James Coburn was in "The Magnificent Seven", I believe, a classic, with awesome theme music. Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, always enjoyable.😊💚

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks for the great comment, CL!

[@davewinter2688]

Here’s some FYI and comments. The thing that is almost universal across all these small towns is how clean they are. I noticed one old house that looked uninhabited but the yard had been mowed. The homeowners in these town take pride in their homes regardless of their income. I’ve lived in Kansas almost 50 years but did some of my growing up in Iowa and have travelled all over a good bit of the lower 48. The folks from the coasts call this area of the U.S. “fly over” country and deride all as hicks with no culture. If they do drive through they never get off the interstate to see anything or talk to anyone. We have simple values. Hard work, honesty, patriotism. We don’t like people from the large urban centers tell us how to live our lives and run our businesses by government edict. Whether Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska or the Dakotas and most of the surrounding states we’re all pretty much the same. A couple of things on the lighter side. Runza is a brand name their specialty is a pocket bread meal that was brought to this part of the country by the Volga Germans when they settled the area. You will find that delicacy being served at mom and pop restaurants and church dinners or ordinary homes where they are called Bierocks which is derived from the original Russian. Also I know that someone will tell you this when you do the video in Pierre South Dakota, but I’m just getting a jump on them because I haven’t seen that video yet. The capitol of South Dakota is pronounced Peer. Don’t ask me why. I just know it. I would guess it’s because there weren’t very many French speaking settlers to pass on correct French pronunciations in that part of the country.

[@karenwhitsett4551]

my mom was born in Callaway. I have relatives in Papillion and Ralston. that home on Jackson st is 184,000

[@dagwood1327]

I enjoy the brief intro / outro that shoes the countryside before the tiny towns. My dad was a preacher and we moved every 2-3 yrs. I have not returned to most of those towns and don’t remember much of the countryside before age 5. I have been wanting to go back to old home places since watching your videos.

[@vaughnbode1420]

Beautiful towns. Such a big difference from the towns in south.

[@GK-wv9vt]

You missed a beautiful veteran's memorial in Coleridge. I was raised on a farm there and I am very proud of that. In the mid 1950s 60s. Therefore 2 grocery stores, 2 bars, a bowling alley and a movie theater.

[@PolkRidgeAesthete]

What a fantastically lyrical, gently ravishing opening shot of the loveliness of Nebraska!

[@AyshaA-ml2rd]

I just stumbled across this channel and wow. What a trip. Love this content and you yourself are such a likeable human being. Thank you for making such brilliant content !

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you! :)

[@kathywebb6606]

I had a big crush on James Coburn 50 years ago 💓, not surprised he hails from a pretty town. As usual, thanks for your priceless road trips!

[@kevinsealschott1090]

Schlitz Light

[@daviddecelles8714]

The rolling countryside between towns with multiple shades of green is stunning. La Michoacana Hotel and Restaurant is the sort of place at which I would not mind staying for a few days. Kids' bikes left untethered or unchained on the outside. I'm supposing bike theft is a low risk occurrence in Wakefield. Given the demographics you cited, Wakefield and Wayne are definitely not dying. Young families have discovered them. You missed Ken's Market in the center of Coleridge! Definitely big enough to handle the grocery needs of a town of about 400. Given the surrounding farms, it probably offers plenty of fresh produce in season. Definitely nice places to live.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It surprises people how beautiful Nebraska is. I really like it there.

[@nathant17]

Good point. It is nice to see at least some parts of rural America are not dying!

[@pinkywilliams8063]

Thanks for sharing....

[@Victory1981]

I drove across pretty much the whole state on 1-80 on a road trip five years ago. I went to some cool panhandle destinations like Chimney Rock and Scottsbluff.

[@nknasi]

Another fun trip through some towns I'd likely never see otherwise. Thank you for sharing your travels. And I do appreciate seeing the added vehicle mileage update :)

[@brianwray4320]

I love these small towns! I could easily live there!

[@JasonWW.]

Thanks for showing some of the local bars and groceries in this vid

[@dakotamickscorner7637]

memory lane for me today, going through my childhood memories today

[@sherilynn6850]

I don’t know why this popped up but I just took a trip to a small town in Nebraska, also the last week of June thru July 6th. The town I went to only had 300 people, we had to stay in the next town over Aurora. The farmers do a pretty good $.

[@donaldmilhoan6379]

I just got back home, I vacationed in Georgia

[@markmitera4521]

In the mid to late 70s, my family were coming back from a family campout and the bugs were so thick, they had people set up on both sides of town cleaning windshields.

[@rajeevdeshpande7666]

Hi Joe Nice, interesting and informative as always is. Greenary all over. Entering and leaving of each town is so scenic. Thanks.

[@michaelambrosano938]

I LOVE that white house on the incline,.with it's faded white paint,..that little beauty has potential

[@schmourt]

Coleridge did have a store you passed called Ken's market!

[@leavana2411]

I grew up in this region! I was in another town you didn't visit, but it isn't far at all from the ones you passed through. One part of me is grateful that I grew up somewhere relative few people will ever see the beauty in, but another part is pained that I spent 19 years of my life and then some there.

[@FG2Zim]

Toronto Canada - Median income 68k, Median home cost 1.2 million. homes a lot smaller than the ones shown in this video, crime out of control.

[@sbowers6279]

Just a thought. With the incomes in the small towns in the mid-west . You have the farming incomes mixed in there also. My husband and I really enjoy watching your videos. You should check out more small towns in SE Nebraska. 😊

[@bayoumanbryan]

yeah that is what i was thinking. if you take 8 or 10 farmers or businessmen making 250=300k or more per year in a small town of 200-300 people it could really skewer the per family income figures

[@indianaslim4971]

I'm not so sure of that as most, if not all the farms are not in the towns, they are in the county. The exception to that could be owners of what used to be family farms that now rent out their land to corporate farms and now live in town.

[@ARM_LuckyNo23]

I become fan for your videos, thanks for showing the real America…happy to see few unnoticed treasures..like wind mills park in Oklohoma sorroundings...

[@DavidSmith-ox4tu]

Joe what fun road tripping. Thanks for the effort in bringing the videos up cheers.

[@normanthidemann8310]

Thanks for the great video!

[@Nigmax1991]

Pretty good drive through these towns!

[@poowg2657]

Runza burgers are excellent. More neat railroad towns, love 'em. Excellent video, enjoyed it greatly!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Many thanks! :) I agree, it was a good burger.

[@victoriasanchez6821]

Viaje fantástico gracias. Se ve muy limpia la Ciudad y todos con su jardín en orden muy cortado el Cepeda. .

[@Plimothrock]

J&N-another great one-Just to see these small farm town is just outstanding!

[@abdiwahab77]

Thanks for your time I learned alot

[@tulsabillh]

Thanks!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!