Brule, Nebraska has a population of a little over 300 people. When John and Jennifer Shipp originally visited the town, prior to purchasing the old school and setting up the attraction, they had high hopes for what the town would eventually become. The Shipp's had pictured that Brule would eventually open a restaurant or shop, given that residents have to drive to Ogallala, Nebraska, for most of their merchandise.
After the school was abandoned, the town of Brule decided to merge the remaining population of the school into another school district. This school had been much larger school and had been built in Ogallala. The small town of Brule, Nebraska is not without personality though. Many of the people you meet, are more than willing to say hi as you walk passed them on the street.
Brule, NE
"The community around here is really tight, you have to be in a town this size," said Kayla Barnes. The time you spend in the town has a high chance of being met with good interactions. Whether stopping by the church or walking passed a house on your walk to the attraction, there is a strong chance that someone will be willing to talk with you.
Midwestern kindness is not dead in Brule, Nebraska. It is alive and well. The quaint and quiet town may not seem like much, but to many it is home. The Town is primarily filled with older families and not too many younger ones. With the increase in traffic to the town, if only for a few nights, it helps keep the legacy of Brule alive.