McCool Junction, NE

McCool Junction is a small, quiet community in York County with around 450 residents. The town got its start in the late 1880s where two rail lines crossed, and that relaxed, small-town rhythm hasn't changed much since. Living here gives you wide-open prairie skies, peaceful residential streets, and friendly neighbors, all while keeping you just a quick ten-minute drive south of the shops and services in York.

ATTRAmmodramus / Public domain

Daily life revolves around the local school and Bachman Park, which sits right beside the historic town hall. Every September, residents turn out for the Mustang Roundup, a weekend festival packed with parades, barbecue, and duck races. Just west of town, Junction Motor Speedway draws racing fans from across the county for dirt-track races throughout the spring and summer. It is a welcoming place to settle down if you want genuine small-town roots without feeling completely isolated.