Small-Town America...in Nebraska? (Omaha, Lincoln: hotel, university, living in)

[stotan88]

Originally Posted by Miss Martha

Have you tried looking in Kansas?

thats my next stop...my first three states that i thought would be a good place to start were nebraska, kansas, and south dakota

[aerahrtlu]

I agree with the above.
It's sort of hard to pick a town like that, since there's so many. I would probably stick to towns that are in central Nebraska, since that area tends to be the flatest.
It sounds really cool though! Good luck!

[Sandhills Guru]

Shelby, NE Pop around 400 I believe. Sort of familiar with the town. Sits in middle of farm country, definately ag related, and most young folks yearn to leave for bigger and better things.

Albion, NE also came to mind, but it maybe too large.

Bassett, NE but that is going to be more ranch related than farming. But would make a beautiful setting for a book.

There are a lot more I can think of.

Like what was mentioned above, you can just about pick any town off the Nebraska map off the interstate 30 miles or so and have one that would fit your needs. Maybe once you get your search narrowed down more we can give you more insight on that area or city.

[stotan88]

Originally Posted by Sandhills Guru

Shelby, NE Pop around 400 I believe. Sort of familiar with the town. Sits in middle of farm country, definately ag related, and most young folks yearn to leave for bigger and better things.

Albion, NE also came to mind, but it maybe too large.

Bassett, NE but that is going to be more ranch related than farming. But would make a beautiful setting for a book.

There are a lot more I can think of.

Like what was mentioned above, you can just about pick any town off the Nebraska map off the interstate 30 miles or so and have one that would fit your needs. Maybe once you get your search narrowed down more we can give you more insight on that area or city.

Perfect! Thank You I will check out Bassett and Shelby, along with some of the other towns mentioned above. I will return when I ahve narrowed down my search

[Gretchen B]

Grant or Elwood or Arapahoe or Minden, Nebraska. Also lots and lots of flatland small towns in Kansas, such as Bird City or Sharon Springs or Wallace or Ellis. There are just so many . . . where to start????

[keen cat]

Originally Posted by stotan88

Hi all,

I'm currently writing a novel, and I'm hoping to have it takes place in a small town where agriculture is the predominant industry in that area. I am looking for that classic "small town America" feel, but I need agriculture to be a big part of the area in order for my story to work. I've looked at several central States but I've yet to find a location that I feel strongly enough about. When (if) I find this location I hope to travel there to gain more information about it, but seeing as I live in Canada, I want to make sure it's the "right" place before I travel all the way over there since my budget is slightly limited.

Any sort of information of attractive small towns in Nebraska (or any other state for that matter) would be great! As well, if I could get some information on the type of agriculture that dominates the area that would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time,
Dan Goldberg

Eustis, Nebraska. Estimated population in 2006: 400

Here is a link to the town site:

Eustis, NE | Livable Small Towns | Nebraska Rural Living | Come join us in the country


Blue Hill, Nebraska. Estimated population in 2006: 785

Blue Hill Nebraska Homepage | Blue Hill NE News, Blue Hill NE Weather, Blue Hill Gossip and Free Blue Hill Classifieds

A Farm Town in Nebraska Is Lamenting the Loss of Its Only Grocery Store - New York Times

[stotan88]

Originally Posted by stotan88

Perfect! Thank You I will check out Bassett and Shelby, along with some of the other towns mentioned above. I will return when I ahve narrowed down my search

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

Grant or Elwood or Arapahoe or Minden, Nebraska. Also lots and lots of flatland small towns in Kansas, such as Bird City or Sharon Springs or Wallace or Ellis. There are just so many . . . where to start????

Originally Posted by keen cat

Eustis, Nebraska. Estimated population in 2006: 400

Here is a link to the town site:

Eustis, NE | Livable Small Towns | Nebraska Rural Living | Come join us in the country


Blue Hill, Nebraska. Estimated population in 2006: 785

Blue Hill Nebraska Homepage | Blue Hill NE News, Blue Hill NE Weather, Blue Hill Gossip and Free Blue Hill Classifieds

A Farm Town in Nebraska Is Lamenting the Loss of Its Only Grocery Store - New York Times

I've looked at nearly all of your suggestions, and from what I can tell, my top choice is Shelby, Nebraska. A couple other options are Elwood, Ne. and Eustis, Ne. Would anyone have more information on those three towns? Specifically, the type of agriculture in the area, whether it is an attractive town (good pictures of these towns are hard to find), the type of people, and any other information that could be relevant, perhaps your own experience at one of these towns. Thank you so much to everyone who's helped out! I truly appreciate it!

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by stotan88

I've looked at nearly all of your suggestions, and from what I can tell, my top choice is Shelby, Nebraska. A couple other options are Elwood, Ne. and Eustis, Ne. Would anyone have more information on those three towns? Specifically, the type of agriculture in the area, whether it is an attractive town (good pictures of these towns are hard to find), the type of people, and any other information that could be relevant, perhaps your own experience at one of these towns. Thank you so much to everyone who's helped out! I truly appreciate it!

I grew up on a farm between Eustis and Elwood. I think both are very nice towns. Lots of family farms in the area that are now 3rd and 4th generation. Ag is mostly wheat and corn and soybeans. And also cattle ranches, although feedlots are becoming more prominent in the area to the north. There is Johnson's Lake nearby. Sorry, but I don't think I have any pictures that show the area - we moved away before digital cameras.

PS I attended grade school in Eustis.

[Go Ne]

Wikipedia has some information on Shelby and I'm pretty sure they have the same type of agriculture as Elwood and Eustis
Shelby, Nebraska - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[ken_&_nikki]

Try looking into one of the little towns east of Scottsbluff, like Minatare, Melbita, Bayard or Bridgeport. I moved here from Denver a few months ago, and it's much like my years growing up in north central Wyoming.....farming, ranching, feed lots, cowboys and the like.