Arcola, IL

Life in Arcola revolves around a charming, close-knit community with plenty of local pride. Known as the Broom Capital of the World, the town celebrates its heritage every September with the popular Broom Corn Festival, famous for its quirky parade featuring the Lawn Rangers marching with brooms and lawn mowers. Downtown Arcola still features its historic brick-paved Main Street, colorful murals, and tributes to Johnny Gruelle, the Arcola-born creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. It is the kind of friendly downtown where local shops thrive and neighbors know each other by name.

ATTRritcharnd moskow from Toshi Station, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0

Situated in central Illinois right along Interstate 57, Arcola offers peaceful small-town living with an easy commute to larger hubs like Champaign-Urbana. The surrounding countryside is home to Illinois' largest Old Order Amish community, so you will often share rural roads with horse-drawn buggies heading to nearby bakeries and craft workshops. Between the quiet residential streets, strong manufacturing roots, and direct highway access, Arcola combines a relaxed rural lifestyle with everyday convenience.