America's Most Boring Towns: 5

Chris Erb: 19th Jun 2006 - 19:06 GMT

I used to live by a small town called Norton. Frighteningly enough, it was even more boring than how this place looks.

Jamie: 19th Jun 2006 - 19:07 GMT

it seems to me, as an outsider, that middle america is chock full of creepy nothingness

Peter: 19th Jun 2006 - 19:22 GMT

jamie: youre pretty much right. not all are as creepy as they appear in some of these sorts of photos, but theyre definitely desolate and full of tons of nothingness. when i drove from nyc to san francisco on a route that took me straight through the "heartland", i was shocked to make this same discovery. i like to describe it as if "someone took the same mile of scenery- pasture, irrigation ditch, farm, endless miles of cornfields- copied it, and pasted it 5,000 times between the northeast and the west coast".

save for parts of nevada and wyoming. those places were just desolate rocky crags, deserts and salt-flats.

seeing these entries has me thinking i should dig up all my old images from that trip back in 2002. I have most of em on photo-cd (pre digicam, lol) so it shouldnt be too hard.

EvilGentleman: 19th Jun 2006 - 19:59 GMT

Aside from the campy invitations to "See the Tri-County Area's Largest Ball of String" and so on, the heartland actually does have a lot going for it. The beauties of nature are often harder to find, due to the scope of the plains overwheming eveything else, but trust me, if you slow down enough to take a good look around, everything is there. The best way to see things is to get off the interstates and take local roads, but even I must admit, that can be a bit much, since we usually want to spend more time at our destinations than on the road.

Since he originally hails from the Volunteer State, I suspect Peter may be able to back this statement up, although his love for his newly-adopted urban lifestyle may prevent him from admitting it ;-)

PS - Peter, I would love to see your I-80 shots. I never did much of I-80, except for the part east of the Mississippi and a bit around the San Francisco Bay area. My more familiar Interstates are 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 39, 57, 70, 75, 87, 89, 90, 91, 94 and 95.

Jamie: 19th Jun 2006 - 20:21 GMT

as if "someone took the same mile of scenery- pasture, irrigation ditch, farm, endless miles of cornfields- copied it, and pasted it 5,000 times between the northeast and the west coast".

kinda like a scooby-doo chase scene, then...

Brian Klaus: 19th Jun 2006 - 21:15 GMT

Let's not pretend that the Northeast is uniformly grear. Norton looks like Paris when compared to North Wales, PA.

Catherine Penfold-Waxman: 20th Jun 2006 - 01:11 GMT

I've watched too many horror films where someone says, "let's take this local road." They usually end up with less fingers and witless friends than they started with. I don't want to be made into a girl suit.

elaine: 20th Jun 2006 - 05:28 GMT

"rooby-rooby-rooo!!!"
yes. i have stopped watching suspense thriller things, i can't take the suspense, it makes me feel ill. but also there is always that 'let's go towards the creepy noise/basement/woods' moment when i lose sympathy with the character. i once lived in a squat which had a creepy cupboard. we nailed it shut.

Dustin: 15th Oct 2006 - 21:32 GMT

I spent 4 years in Norton as a kid, and I can assure you, it is utterly boring. However, I can tell you that there are areas of town that are quite beautiful, including the courthouse in the center of town (built in the late 1800's). It really is just a typical small town. One movie theater, high school football games on Friday night (very good team most years), a dairy queen and pizza hut (no McDonalds). Not a bad place to live if you are looking for small town life. I remember the sign coming into town used to say "Welcome to Norton. The "hub of northwest Kansas".

Rodney: 20th Oct 2006 - 06:51 GMT

This is my home town and I have lived in many a big city (NYC,KC,Nashville,LA),but this is the place I still want to come back to. Here you are a person not a number. Everybody knows you and is glad to see you, even after you have been gone for awhile. I should know............to bad some people don't like small town life?

Susannah: 20th Oct 2006 - 11:24 GMT

Living in a small town can be humbling, everyone knows your story, some people are okay with that, some people are not.

Susannah: 20th Oct 2006 - 11:27 GMT

Why does every town have to have a slogan. The town where I spent my teenage years was called "Home of the Nice Guys", which was funny because most of the people there weren't very nice.

Liberty Stephens(14): 10th Mar 2007 - 17:48 GMT

I have been living in Norton Kansas for the last 14 years of my life, i live with my grandparents, and we havent moved once, the same house in the same town for 14 years yeah its really boreing......but the good thing is its a great place to raise kids...... because theres very few weird things that happen here! We have a beautiful park-race track-recreational track! So yeah where the best begins i have no clue what their talking about but thats alright haha!

Liberty Stephens(14): 10th Mar 2007 - 17:49 GMT

And i just searched our town on google and it came up as the 5th most boreing town in america i find that hillariouse wait till i show this to all of my friends at school hehe!

Megan: 1st Apr 2007 - 19:42 GMT

Just an FYI to Dustin...there is a McDonald's in Norton. There's also a Taco Bell! That's considered "big time" in these small towns!

Marilyn : 12th Apr 2007 - 18:58 GMT

I have lived in Norton for 32 years. To some people it may seem "boring" but I assure you a person can be as busy and involved as they want to be. We have a great school system and lovely parks for children to play and enjoy and be safe while they are playing. We also have a great group of people who oversee our fair every summer. We had nieces and nephews that came from Kansas City who were impressed that they didn't need to "hold their mom's hands" the whole evening!! They were given books of tickets and told to have a GREAT time!! Norton is the place to be for ME!

Joan: 13th Apr 2007 - 01:13 GMT

I looked at the pictures and yes, those places do exist. Of course two of the four were taken of alleys. How many beautiful alleys do most towns have? I could go to the "most beautiful and exciting" city in America and take pictures like these, or worse. People see exactly what they want to see. For every one of Scott's photos, I could take several more of very nice spots in town. As one person said, Norton is a very typical small town and it is a great place to raise children. My two young children and I moved here with the intention of staying one year for my job. Sixteen years later I'm still here. Several young people who left after high school (probably thinking Norton was boring) have returned to raise their families. An amazing number of people from large cities, such as Denver for example, have moved here to get away from the rat race. I guess they see something that those of you who pass through Kansas, in general, never take the time to see. Someone once said that intelligent people don't get bored. Maybe, Norton just has a lot of intelligent people.

Jordan: 16th Apr 2007 - 16:24 GMT

Norton rules, actually. You just took pics of the most crappy places.

JANICE: 11th May 2007 - 14:36 GMT

I GREW UP IN NORTON, MOVED IN 67, AND HAVE MISSED THE SMALL TOWN FEEL EVER SINCE. I REMEMBER PLAYING ALL DAY LONG AND NO ONE EVER WORRIED ABOUT OUR SAFETY. I NEVER REMEMBER BEING BORED AS WE HAD THE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL, THE SUMMER FAIR, THE RACE TRACK, ELMWOOD PARK, 4-H, AND MANY OTHER GREAT ACTIVITIES TO OCCUPY OUR TIME AND INTEREST. IF I HAD THE CHANCE, I WOULD WELCOME A SMALL TOWN BACK INTO MY LIFE. I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF SITTING IN TRAFFIC, FIGTING THE CROWDS AT THE MALL AND THE STRESS OF THE BIG CITY LIFE. ENJOY THE SUNSETS WITH NO HIGH RISES TO OBSURE THE VIEW, ENJOY THE FRESH CLEAN AIR, AND ENJOY KNOWING THE NAMES OF YOUR NEIGHBORS.

John : 15th Jun 2007 - 03:08 GMT

I mean, as a lifetime resident of megalopolis, I find this fascinating. I mean, what do people DO in these places? Name the garbage and stray cats?

I can't even imaging how so many horror stories are set in these types of places. When I try to imaging what might be lurking in that old warehouse or abandoned shed, nothing really comes to mind except more nothing.

These places just aren't interesting enough to have a killer scarecrow or corn children.

joey: 18th Jun 2007 - 05:01 GMT

people will wait all day to see the sunset, and roll up the sidewalks.

Desiree Rice: 22nd Jun 2007 - 18:02 GMT

I lived in Norton for 8 months of my life...I know, it's not as long as most people but I actually miss it...I used to live in KCKS before that. I spent most of my life hearing gun shots right next door to me, and they weren't hunting animals...they were hunting people! I think the move to Norton was the best thing for my family...My grandmother saw it and LOVED the town...not just liked but LOVED! Plus, the races up there are the BEST! I miss them the most!

Susannah: 10th Aug 2007 - 02:56 GMT

The sky IS beautiful - so clear. I'll bet its awesome at night.

anon (p179n5.ruraltel.net): 27th Sep 2007 - 10:33 GMT

I live in Norton, and I have to say that these pictures are seriously not typical of the town. They are of alleys, and how many people are hanging out in alleys? Well, if they are, I sure wouldn't want to be meeting them lol. Also, the other pictures are of a car dealer that was closed and out of business for a couple of years. I can understand the weirdness of a small town if you are from a large town, not getting why people want to live here etc, but honestly, if you are going to take pictures of a town and then call it boring, take some that honestly reflect the town, and not try to make it look worse than it is, thanks!

Kim: 14th Oct 2007 - 18:47 GMT

I have lived in Norton my entire life, 48 years. This is a place where memories are made, cherished and passed on to our children and grandchildren. Norton is on the path for economic growth due to a select number of forward-thinking residents and business people. We all have a vested interest in seeing small town America survive and flourish. I would invite anyone to come to our town and stay a few days, get to know the people and hang out doing some of the things we do to fill our time with. It will be well worth the trip!!! By the way, that was more than an invitation, it was a challenge.

Rose Garrison: 15th Oct 2007 - 16:05 GMT

What a sad statement the author of this article has made about small town living, he, who obviously has never experienced small town living. It is truly where the best begins and some of our most successful people have originated from small towns all across this nation. The quality of life is up to you and what you make of it, it is up to you to provide your own entertainment and that can range from school activities to reading a book and gazing at the beautiful sunsets or the clouds and blue sky,church activities, swimming, golf, visiting friends, working together to better your local community. Give it a try, you might just like it.

Scott Regner: 30th Oct 2007 - 15:53 GMT

My wife and kids spent a night in Norton Kansas on our way driving across the country in 1994. After driving 10 hours it had the only Best Western hotel available--arrived there around 7:30 PM--the hotel manager was wearing a dirty, ripped white tank top undershirt and we had to keep the room door open due to the really bad smell in the room. At the only eatery we ate dinner at 8PM (late apparently for this town) while being contstantly stared at by the local folks (I guess they didn't like my long hair and tie dye shirt). All I can say is my family will always remember that one night in Norton, Kansas. Didn't seem like much ever happened there.

anon (p179n5.ruraltel.net): 4th Nov 2007 - 08:18 GMT

In reply to Scott Regner's comment. I live in Norton, and have posted before on this forum, but I have to say, I have no idea what you are talking about saying Norton only had one "eatery". We have a heck of a lot more than that, so I don't know what town you were in really. I also happen to know that the Best Western in 1994 was owned by a man who had the disease Lupus, so maybe having a ripped tank top undershirt on was the best he could manage for that day. You judge and complain about what he was wearing, and then turn around and complain that someone was staring at you for what he was wearing. Honestly people, get a clue.

anon (214.87-241-81.adsl-dyn.isp.belgacom.be): 27th Nov 2007 - 19:11 GMT

View of Belgium(1)

View of Belgium(2)
Everyone can have one's own opinion. Over almost anything or everything. But is it the place that makes the people rather than the people who make the place?
1. Look at the attached pictures: if you know nothing about Belgium, you could think it is overcrowded, or totally uninhabited...depending on which picture you choose. Actually, both pictures are Belgium. Two extrems. If I know nothing about Norton and when I look at pictures that Scott has chosen, and only those pictures, well, my impression is if not distorted, r

Steven E: 27th Feb 2008 - 00:04 GMT

Norton Kansas is truly a wonderful place. It is so much more than pictures of it's alleys and a closed dealership. My little home town is surrounded by beautiful green wheatfields, big blue skies and sunsets that stretch from one horizon to the other. Summers are filled with swimming at the local pool, little league and picnics by the lake. Each fall, Norton fills with Bluejay pride and everyone comes out for Friday evening football down by the park... It certainly is a perfect place to raise a family. Come see for yourself...

sadie.bleu: 8th Sep 2008 - 00:06 GMT

i lived & worked in norton for about a year & a half. hated it while i was there, too far from friends & family, but it got under my skin & into my heart & i often wish i was back there now. it is a nice, clean little town. i could bike anywhere, & did. i miss going for long walks with my dog.

eyeofodin: 8th Sep 2008 - 08:15 GMT

get over it people, Oklahoma is what it is. The natives will love it (as in white folks who stole the land), but once you have lived on the coats there is no turning back.

Jim Arehart: 23rd Oct 2008 - 13:46 GMT

I was born and raised in Norton. It amazes me how people can belittle a town or area so easily. I spent 4 1/2 years in the Navy and I can guarantee I saw some areas much worse than Norton. A town offers only what effort you are willing to put forth. I've lived in Norfolk, VA; San Francisco; San Diego; Glenwood Springs, CO and Montrose, CO. Norton is home and it's where I'll retire. It's a great town, isn't it Rosie?

T Whoa!: 25th Nov 2008 - 21:07 GMT

I lived in Norton for 20 years. As a teenager you think I can't wait to get out of this town. But now as an adult I can't wait to move back. The city is no way to raise a child. I live in Kansas City now and no one appreciates anything. From what I have noticed. Most people take things for granted. You can go down the street to the mall and find anything you want. Most of the people my age have never even been out of Kansas city because they have everything right here. I guarantee everyone in Norton has traveled to Kansas city. Its just funny how people view things. We all have our own opinions. The pictures above personally are great. It shows our old brick rhodes that have been there since the beginning and the old buildings to that are historic. So thanks for capturing that for us.

johnny beal: 25th Dec 2008 - 03:30 GMT

i used to live in norton and its was an alright town growing up but as i got older just keep getting more boring as time went on, but there is a lot of family there and thats my home town so maybe in the future move back but not now as a teenager.

EvilGentleman: 24th Jan 2009 - 19:41 GMT

Well, Norton just made the national news in Canada.

www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/090120/K012008AU.html

An article about the art gallery in Norton devoted to losing candidates in presidential election races.

Dave: 30th Jan 2009 - 23:10 GMT

I just stumbled across this article. Nice of that guy to take the picture of the alley. How about a shot of the golf course? How about Travis Field? How about the park? Pretty one sided, two bad he had such a bad experience. I grew up in Norton, now I live in L.A., but I tell EVERYONE that I grew up in Norton and am quite happy that I did. See you all at Moffets for coffee.

Linda: 4th Feb 2009 - 04:14 GMT

I also grew up in Norton, and I wouldn't change it for anything. It's a wonderful, friendly town where you could always feel safe. The old warehouse in the pic used to be the bottling plant--Dr. Pepper, Orange Crush, Pepsi, Grape Soda, and several more were bottled and distributed there. We used to get to go for a field class each tear and were always treated to a cold pop before we had to go. It holds lots of memories for every kid that went to school there. I used to like the Cherry Phosphates at Moffets--but would love the coffee too!

Jerry Chambers: 17th Feb 2009 - 15:30 GMT

I pretty much grew up in Norton and the surrounding area. If I, of all people, didn't think Norton was boring as a teenager, then trust me, it was not boring. I pretty much had to be entertained 24/7 (some of you who posted on here will remember that). There was always something to do if you put your mind to it. Great times camping out at the lake and wrecking Goof's motorcycles. Why, ole Pat McMurray proved you can jump an old Chevy pickup over a huge mound of dirt and make the tie rod end come off. That was the funniest damn thing I ever saw, and guess what? It happened in Norton KS.

Peter: 17th Feb 2009 - 16:08 GMT

why look, its yet another nortonian stopping by to say "im from norton, and i take issue with this post"...

Billy F.: 15th Apr 2009 - 15:07 GMT

For those people living in L.A., New York and all the large cities, all I got to say is, stay there so the plains states can stay boring. Smog, noise, rude people and traffic aren't my cup of tea.
I grew up in a smaller town than Norton and the memories of those years will always be with me. If you have any complains about where you live, move away and you will find people and cities with bigger problems.
My GGgrandparents moved to Jewell and Norton Co. when there was nothing but sage and Indians. The sage is still there. lol

Drew S: 21st Apr 2009 - 17:47 GMT

but really this is where the best begins best place on earth i tell u nothing can top out this great great farm town we got a Mc donalds and dairy queen plus pizza hut even a steak house

anon (p186n10.ruraltel.net): 21st Apr 2009 - 17:48 GMT

Norton is the most boring state ever even tho i live in the state. I wish i could live in Paris but ya know live is never that great you live where you live

Abbie Smith : 22nd Apr 2009 - 17:20 GMT

Norton Kansas is the best. Everything just gets better and better in Norton Kansas... We have some great places to eat that you could never ever think about like McDonalds and Pizza Hut and Attitudes and Dairy Queen where you can get ice cream

Peter: 22nd Apr 2009 - 17:42 GMT

you heard it here first... Norton, Kansas is the best because it has mcdonalds, pizza hut and dairy queen!

Brian: 6th May 2009 - 04:49 GMT

How can taking 4 photos of the old Chevy dealership and a sign prove that Norton is "the fifth most boring town in America"? I have been a lot of places in my life and Norton is far from one of the most boring towns in American. Is it rural...you're damn right, but that is one of the many characteristics that make it an incredible town to live and grow up in!! This "piece" just goes to show how dull city people can be. The internet gives any moron with a little time and no brains a voice, no matter ignorant it may be.

Jill Lively: 6th May 2009 - 19:11 GMT

Anyone who is bored in Norton, KS lacks creativity and imagination. I guess those things are rare these days. I wouldn't raise my family any other place. Proud to be a Blue Jay!

Linda Garrett: 6th May 2009 - 19:51 GMT

Who was the photographer? He/she did a very poor job. Must have really searched for sorry looking subjects. Any city or town would look drab if a person looked for unsightly subjects. Norton is a lovely little Kansas town with huge beautiful trees, a lake and lovely well kept homes. I love Norton and I am not a native Kansan. I am from Ohio. The photographer did Norton an injustice.

Donna Ward: 6th May 2009 - 23:08 GMT

I now live in Colorado, however I lived in Norton for over 25 years, moving there when I was a Junior in High School. As for me, a piece of my heart will always remain in Norton along with the memories of many milestones in my life: ie High School Graduation, Marriage, Children, Great Freindships, and a simpler way of life. In times of trial, like when we lost our Angel Matt, small town people rally to help you endure and is something that I will be eternally grateful for. I agree with a lot of the posted comments - the photos don't depict the beauty of Norton. What made Norton a great place to live for me was having the opportunity to surround myself with really great people on a daily basis. Big City vs. Small Town: they both have their positives and negatives and each is what you choose to make it.

Dragonfly Boss: 7th May 2009 - 13:36 GMT

It is interesting that the pictures posted at the beginning of this piece were taken in a part of town that is about as far from the east-west highway going through Norton as you can get. If the place is so dull, why did the author take the time to drive all the way across town to take pictures? There were hundreds of other pictures he could have taken on his way that would have created a vastly different perception of the town. Mindset I guess. I spent my formative years in Norton. We had some of the finest teachers in the state and a school system that anyone could be proud of to say nothing of the other amenities the town has to offer. The people make a town and the people of Norton make it a great town. I spent more than 20 years in the military running all over he world and believe me when I say that Norton is head and shoulders above a lot of the places I have lived. Right now I live in a town that aspires to be the next budding metropolis. Believe me, it ain't what it is cracked up to be. If I could pick our home up and move it to Norton, I would be on the way in the morning.

Cindy MARSH: 7th May 2009 - 17:27 GMT

Exactly how long did he spend in Norton Kansas before he got his obvious yuppie viewpoint of this quaint little home town. I grew up in Norton and have spent a lot of years wishing I could go back. There is always something going on there, they celebrate everything. New Years Eve is a city wide party to bring in the new year filled with some champagne (mostly beer). The first day of spring is a community pot luck dinner, barbecue, games for the kids, and a hot rod show. Easter has church services which you don’t dare miss and then after an Easter egg hunt and another potluck dinner. Summertime has the carp derby, whoever catches the biggest or most carp wins a speed boat and other great prizes. During the carp derby there is also a pig fry, barbecue, and a kite flying contest. We also have hunter safety week which involves education in gun safety, bow and arrow hunting and a host of other outdoor education. All spring and summer there are dirt track races, a huge carnival to put the one we had in Gardner, KS last year to shame, followed by a fantastic fireworks show, rodeo, 4H fairs and street dances every time you turn around. For Halloween we have a city-wide hot dog and hamburger feed and the parade of costumes where all the kids in town show off their costumes in true parade fashion. After trick-or-treating we all go into the basement of the bank to have party games and punch. For Christmas we have a sleigh ride with Santa Claus on a real sleigh with four beautiful horses with jingle bells that drive us around the town. Santa tells stories and hands out candy canes and hot cocoa. We are also a town of huge sport’s fanatics. We have wrestling, (state and national champs many times), bb gun tournaments, basketball, football and track. Everyone in town shows up to cheer on our winning teams. It’s quite an event to see true hometown and American pride like you never see in the city. We have hunters that come from all over the county to partake in our pheasant hunting which is the best in the country. Have you ever heard of a town with so much going on?

We have Sibelius Lake, prairie dog town, several museum houses and a stage coach, large swimming pool and quaint stores with the sweetest people you would ever want to meet that will bend over backwards to help find what you are looking for. And seriously, who has a better men’s selection of shoes than Halls? We have several bars which are always hopping but after work hours. Maybe when he went there at noon there was no one on the streets because it was lunch time and people were inside eating or I don’t know…working? We also are not a bunch of welfare sucking lazy people who live off the government like most city people. We earn what we get so yes during the day we are inside working. Maybe you should inform Mr. Sargent that before he writes his opinions on a town maybe he should spend more than five minutes there because otherwise that is just bad journalism and makes him and your web page look extremely unprofessional and weak.

The big city is boring to me because no one really knows each other or socializes with one another and this is something that could never be said about Norton Kansas.

Thank you for allowing me to reveal the true nature of my home town.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Marsh

Cindy MARSH: 7th May 2009 - 18:15 GMT

I forgot to mention something else that Norton did. They would have a city-wide talent show that is televised. Very cool. And afterwards the neatest lady would invite some of us over to her strawberry patch and let us pick berries. Man I miss Norton!!!

Emily: 9th May 2009 - 02:20 GMT

I live in Norton,Ks, and am about to graduate from high school. Admittedly the town is a little boring on weeknights but try visiting on a friday night! We have a coffee shop that is open for teenagers until midnight, football games, a christian youth center, a movie theatre with the newest movies, etc. Neither is Norton just about going and getting drunk hick style. There are lots of things to do everynight of the week. We have a great school system, athletics, and great values. The author of this article obviously did not take the time to talk to the locals or find any life whatsoever. He also took pictures of several buildings on the outside of town, which no one ever visits. Norton is not boring, you just have to work a little harder to entertain yourself. I for one, am never bored. Thanks. . .

L.K. Whitford Barnhart: 9th May 2009 - 14:31 GMT

Looked up Scott Sargent on Google. There's a lot. Some people just get their kicks by ridicule. Yes, it's "small town America in rural Kansas". Well, there's no loitering on the streets as the folks are tending to business and work. I did notice 3 job postings this week and that's not bad for that small of a town. Maybe you should check it out, you obviously need something to keep your mind occupied. I was born in the hospital there, grew up there, graduated and married there. But, Gee! We didn't have to go to Facebook and blogs to communicate, we just interacted personally with friends. We made our own fun and some pretty successful people have come from Norton, and many have served in the military defending your right to free speech. I've been gone since 1962, visiting occasionally. Yes, we wanted "more". Rural America is the backbone of our country--don't knock it!

Afroblanco: 9th May 2009 - 18:19 GMT

"many have served in the military defending your right to free speech"

When was the last war where some evil foe was trying to deprive us of our free speech?

dagraber: 9 May 2009: 10th May 2009 - 01:06 GMT

Just who does Scott Sargent think he is??? He managed to step on a lot of toes of those of us who spent our formative years growing up in Norton! Besides all the activities, celebrations, wonderful friendly people, etc., those of us "Nortonites" have memories that have and will sustain us for a lifetime! My husband and have traveled all over Europe and the Far East ... and if you think Norton is boring, try some of the little villages over seas!
Too bad you didn't take the time to learn something about small town life, Scott ... you missed a lot!

Joyce Cooper: 10th May 2009 - 02:40 GMT

Whoops Scott, You should know better then put our town down! I am more proud of having been raised in Norton Kansas then anything in my life. We grew up in a town where "everybody knew your name" if you weren't called on the carpet for something you did wrong by your own parents you could bet your bottom dollar you were from some other parent. I also lived in Norton 5 years during my daughters's formative years and have told everyone I know, they turned out well, because of their teachers, their Minister, and their youth Pastor speaking into their lives and their destiny. We still have many friends there and each time we go back we are greeted like we are something special. We are, and they are, we started out our lives in Norton Kansas, We will always be proud of it.

Afroblanco: 10th May 2009 - 09:02 GMT

Sounds like all you Nortonians want to lynch Scott Sargent. Guess some things never change, you backwards hicks!

Joyce Cooper: 11th May 2009 - 17:09 GMT

I don't think anyone wants to lynch those who exercise freedom of speech, but when they describe a whole town as boring, perhaps they should live in the community and witness first hand how boring it is before labeling it as such. Norton is full of wonderful God fearing people and you can't get any better then that.

Afroblanco: 11th May 2009 - 17:49 GMT

Sorta makes you wonder how Scott took these photos without "witnessing first how boring it is". Perhaps he snapped these photographs with his eyes shut? LOL.

It's clear that you Nortonians are going to have a bone to pick with anyone who doesn't agree that Norton is the best place on the face of the earth, and I think this is hilarious, no matter how nice and tolerable you try to make your intolerance of any other viewpoints sound.

Anna: 11th May 2009 - 18:59 GMT

Furthermore, the Nortonians' haste to overcompensate for criticism with impassioned rants about Norton and/or against any outsider who might think it's a boring town just goes to show that most of the Nortonians' outspokenness is probably due not so much to Norton being such a great place as it is to them feeling insecure and speaking up in overkill terms to try to hide the fact that Norton Kansas is, in fact, one of America's Most Boring Towns.

Have we heard from every single resident of Norton yet? It sure seems like it. Maybe when we finally have, you people will stop drifting in one at a time to lash out against the OP, rehash the same B.S. about your town or just pointlessly yammer and try to continue a pointless argument.

Some people love Norton, some people hate Norton. Why is that so hard for you Nortonians to tolerate? And why do you Nortonians seem to be the only people in the world that care about your town's alleged reputation as "boring"?

Get over yourself, Norton!

Mary Scheetz (Gmeme2@aol.com): 12th May 2009 - 00:17 GMT

This doesn't make sense to me--the pictures are all of Scheetz Motor Company but they are not the whole town! Why did he just pick those?? I was born in Norton, raised my kids in Norton, and taught school there for 13 years. I love Norton, and had wonderful times there. I have compared my life there with many of my friends from cities, and I always felt I was the one who had the best life--not boring but fun and worthwhile. I wish Scott would live in a small town for awhile, and then make his decision.

Patty Donaldson: 12th May 2009 - 00:35 GMT

I was also raised in Norton and although I live in St. Joseph Mo I can't say it's much better. Although we live in a bigger city now and so many more opportunities, Norton was so much fun. I always felt safe as we could walk anywhere and drove the main street for entertainment. Everyone knew everyone and their life! That's kind of scary!

Peter: 12th May 2009 - 00:56 GMT

@mary scheetz

why did he just pick those? well, id say that if his goal in picking them was to drive you nortonians absolutely bananas, he most definitely succeeded.

i swear. i had never even heard of this place til this post popped up, and now the comments are choked every day with nortonians singing nortons praises and browbeating the naysayers... its kinda funny.

youd think that norton kansas was rainbows and sunshine 24/7, wouldnt you?

dagraber: 9 May 2009: 12th May 2009 - 01:43 GMT

You hit the nail on the head, Peter ... Norton IS rainbows and sunshine! Just too bad Scott didn't take the time or make the effort to discover it ...

old cut up: 13th May 2009 - 17:00 GMT

I did a check on the same alley. Found no homeless, no bodies, no ladies of the night,was not a single offer of a drink or drugs. Empty building wasn't used by a cult, hippie etc. Not o0ne drive by shooting while there. WHAT A BORING TOWN.

Manera: 13th May 2009 - 17:18 GMT

It's funny how defensive us residents of Norton can be. The guy above says "no homeless, no bodies, no ladies of the night, no booze or drugs", et cetera. I feel compelled to mention, here, that it is not the lack of CRIME that makes Norton boring, its the lack of CULTURE, my friend.

Yes, no homeless or hookers (well, not MANY, LOL).... but also no cultural centers. Yes, no shootings or drugs (but LOL, so much meth in Norton!), but also no real art museums, fine art or culture. Yes, no drive-by shootings either.... Instead, we have closed-mindedness, racism, poverty, ignorance and people who have grown so insular that they can't admit to themselves or the public how worthless Norton really is.

You come off as sounding ignorant trying to cop an attitude like "See how great Norton is? We don't have ANY of those Big City problems!" when the reality of the place is more like "Norton is a pretty nice place, but doesn't offer much to us younger/open-minded/minority residents, and is therefore boring". It has nothing to do with crime, it has everything to do with being an old, backwards, archaic town with nothing to do and not much redeeming about it aside from old Coots who sit online and argue about how great their small town is simply because it doesn't have (as many) hookers or drugs as the next biggest town. Seriously?! LOL.

Hobie: 13th May 2009 - 20:55 GMT

I saw this link on my friend's Facebook (who is from Norton), and I gotta say, I'm definitely with Manera and the others who sure hit the nail smack on the head about Norton.

Just because it is not a bad place doesn't mean it is a good place!

Stuck in America: 14th May 2009 - 00:47 GMT

Yea I followed that Face Book link in here too. God I hate Norton :-[

KyM: 14th May 2009 - 01:46 GMT

I think if anyones hometown was called one of America's Most Boring Towns, they would stick up for it just like everyone here is doing. Norton has a lot of great things to offer, but it also has some downfalls. It's like any other small town in Northwest Kansas.

Jordie: 16th May 2009 - 02:17 GMT

I grew up in Norton, and while it has charm and safety, it has a whole lot of judgemental and racist people. This alone makes the place pretty boring. Sure, I had some of the best times of my life there, but they were not good enough to let my children grow up there.

NWKS resident: 18th May 2009 - 22:38 GMT

I agree with those from Norton, I grew up in Colby, bout an hour west of Norton, small town, not much to do, but you found things to keep yourself busy and from getting bored. I now live in "Smalltown" USA, I live in Selden, which is between Norton and Colby. We don't have much here either, but we keep ourselves entertained with things to do. We have a great Steakhouse/Bar to eat, along with some other great businesses. Who ever heard of a town with a population of less than 300 ppl have a bookbindery! Well, we do! We also have one of the bigger furniture stores, and lumberyards in NW KS. Something to be proud of! I know many ppl who from Norton and further east come to Selden to shop at those two businesses, just has many of us visit Norton for your businesses and the lake. We also just in the last year had a small gun shop open up and has done very well. We camp up there about 2 times a year with friends. While we like the lake there we also visit other lakes during the summer depending on what family we have goin where. So go Nortonites, we gotta stand up for our small towns or one day there may be nothing left. If you all really think about it, most of NW KS is made up of smaller towns, with populations running from small to 3500 to 4000 ppl. So until you come live the life in a small town don't down us to much. We may be small but when our communities come together we are strong and mighty.

norton rocks: 19th May 2009 - 01:26 GMT

you all are stupid norton rocks you have to pool,thearter,,golf,tenis,shopping,and best of all the lake

Peter: 19th May 2009 - 01:28 GMT

^^^ lol. i love how you dont even have to say anything, norton just keeps making fun of itself...

Dave from L.A.: 10th Jun 2009 - 20:21 GMT

Wow, what a great bunch of comments. Tell you what Peter, Afro, Anna. Come on out here and kick it in L.A. for awhile, listen to the constant scream of sirens, the planes, the traffic. Read about or witness the horrific accidents, shootings, stabbings, kidnappings, drug deals, drive bys etc.. Sit on the freeway for an hour and a half, and you will come to appreciate the flashing light on 283 & 36. I have been to the Getty and the LACMA, been to Staples and Honda, been to the Coliseum and the Rose Bowl and the Greek. Great to go to the concerts and the games. Great to go to the beach one day and the mountains the next. Great to be able to go look at the famous people, to go see the huge mansions. Its all great, its all gravy. And hands down, if you have lived there, for me anyway, there is nothing like flying to Denver, renting a car, and driving back home, seeing the familiar old spots (Root Beer Drive In before it became attitudes) I can't help but be grateful that I had the opportunity to grow up there. Of course it has its drawbacks, and I'm sorry that you folks seem to have had some bad experiences, but I think the sentiment from the pro-Norton folks (myself included) is that we are coming to the defense of a place that is near, dear and precious to us and you are trying to minimize and belittle a place that we are quite fond of. If you derive satisfaction by antagonizing and denigrating others, then I pity you. St. Thomas Aquinas said that for one who has faith, no explanation is necessary, for one without faith, no explanation can be given. I think that holds true to some of our more negative friends. Go Bluejays

Philly B: 13th Jun 2009 - 07:07 GMT

How funny. Norton is so boring that people actually waste time by googling their town's name. I live near Norton, and to be honest, these pictures are a bit misleading (ps I heard about this because someone was bitching about it to me). There are a couple fun things to do, assuming you are a hardcore bible-beater and/or a beer-loving, gun-toting, flag-waving larry-the-cable-guy-loving redneck. The town is full of hateful, ignorant bigots that won't even listen to others viewpoints; Just go online and read the Norton Telegram. The two main employers of the town are guess what: a State Prison and a drug-rehab facility. Sure, Norton is safe and you can walk around. However, most people who walk around get judgemental looks from others and there has been a rash of petty theft recently. A large amount of the town (with the exception of what is on Highway 36) was built by the WPA. With that, I will say that Norton is a good town (assuming you are hiding from the law).

esther from Texas 6-26-09: 27th Jun 2009 - 20:18 GMT

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" '....maybe bordom is best recognized by one who is dull & tedious? Those of us who were raised and educated in this small northwest Kansas town will always hold it close to our hearts. We know the value of family & friendships that last a lifetime. We have been nurtured in the small town atmosphere of not just open fields and open skies, but open minds, love, and curosity about the whole wide world. Because of our training and background, I believe a Nortonite would not be bored for long anywhere he found himself. Obiviously the author of this "Most Boring Towns" did not have the opportunity afforded us. Thanks to my Grandparents for homesteading in Norton County!

Sara: 5th Jul 2009 - 00:54 GMT

My family just moved to Norton in January due to my husbands job and though this town may seem "small and boring" I wouldn't want to raise my children anywhere else. I love the security of feeling safe to let my kids go outside and play til the street lights come on like my brothers and I used to do. From the moment we arrived to this quaint little town, we were welcomed by neighbors and anyone else we've met since being here. The school system here is wonderful and I don't have to worry about my children falling through the cracks like in a "big city school". The opportunity to keep yourself indulged here does seem slim at first but if you get out and look around the town, like others have stated on here, there is plenty to keep yourself occupied. Not only that, but Norton has the most beautiful sunsets I can ever remember seeing. I was an army brat so I have done my share of living in different areas and if you are raising a family, Norton seems like a wonderful place to do it.

Joyce Cooper: 5th Jul 2009 - 21:07 GMT

Good for you Sara, that just goes to show you it is the attitude of the person, to be able to "bloom where you are planted", and make the best of it, not where you are living. I know you will be an asset to Norton, and enjoyed and appreciated as a fellow Nortonite. You go girl!

dagraber: 9 May 2009: 7th Jul 2009 - 02:13 GMT

What wonderful comments from a neat gal who has just moved to Norton and can see the possibilities of "small town living!" I just returned from Norton where our classmates met for our 60th Class Reunion from graduating from NCHS ... and I STILL consider it "home," even tho I've traveled all over Europe, the Orient and all over the States! Enjoy letting your children play outside until the street lights come on ... wish my grandchildren would have that experience, but they live in the "big city!" I relish those memories I had growing up in Norton ... and am sure you will, especially with your attitude!

henning holzhauer:10th July 2009 - 10:50 EST: 10th Jul 2009 - 08:55 GMT

Norton is a typical American town which I love. People are friendly and honestly. I visited Norton in 2000, 2001, 2005, and 2007 and my wife Barbara as well my daughter Cathrin say that Norton is a place to live.

Peter: 10th Jul 2009 - 12:07 GMT

"norton is a place to live". you dont say? is this because the "people are friendly and honestly"?

lol. no, norton is not a typical american town. thank goodness!

henning holzhauer:11th July 2009 - : 11th Jul 2009 - 16:44 GMT

For me is Norton a typical American town and although I'm not a born Norton citizen I agree to the comments made by Cynthia Marsh

jordyn : 8th Aug 2009 - 17:46 GMT

Norton may seem boring to outsiders, but if you take a minute you could have the time of your life. I love living in norton, you can walk 3 or 4 blocks to see friends. Sure its filled with drama and twofaced people. But everyother town has that too, right? You guys should take a couple days off and meet some people. Their nice, if your having a bad day people can tell and they smile and ask what's wrong or say hi, how are you? I love living in norton, you don't have to hold your moms hand to walk across town there's a fair and you can go camping or fishing or boating durring the summer. Durring the winter you can ride with santa, heck, there's tons more things to do. Friday nights go to The Rock, a chistian youth center, and then after that, go to the Coffee shop. You can just have a good time and not worry about being shot or robbed or beatup. And on saturday nights you can go to the bowling alley. And drive around. If you think norton is boring, spend a couple days here meeting new people. I know that if you don't live here, tons of people would go up and willingly talk to you and find out where your from. I love norton and wouldn't change a thing. If your bored, you are just plain weird, there's plenty of things you can do. I wouldn't leave my hometown or friends for anything.

The Fry Daddy's: 16th Aug 2009 - 15:17 GMT

Dave in LA has got it right.. Dave please Email us,, thefrydaddys55@live.com mybe we set a gig at attitudes when your home..C'ya all there..Chow for now!!

Jody 25 from Melborne Australia: 16th Aug 2009 - 18:27 GMT

This sounds perfect place to do my research on hilly billy towns of America. I have been to some small places in Northern Territory. Fair Dinkum, I will need to get blood sample to check the people. This will score high marks for my research paper for RMIT.

Crikey!! Jody

mogepoge: 3rd Sep 2009 - 00:42 GMT

you big city people listen to this you shouldn't critisize us and as a matter of fact we make a lot of your food like bread (wheat) corn, etc., so instead of being mean thank us for crying out loud! we also have one of the best school systems in KS.

mogepoge : 3rd Sep 2009 - 00:52 GMT

also, you city guys and gals we really try to be nice but appearantly you can't.

mogepoge : 14th Sep 2009 - 22:58 GMT

can't you tell that us so called nortonanions are a lot nicer than you meanies

Peter: 14th Sep 2009 - 23:42 GMT

no offense, but i find it highly ironic how the quality of your school system is proven by your spelling skills, "mogepoge"... lol...

cletus: 28th Sep 2009 - 18:56 GMT

I'm from Norton and when i am not beating my wife and/or kids or at the bar forgetting about my miserable job at the state prison or driving my "pick 'em up" truck.. i'm at home scratching my ass and drinking a beer while yelling at the television when NASCAR is on.

other than that... Norton is a great place to live... as long as your not Black, Mexican, Gay or Smart.

R.L. Lyons: 1st Oct 2009 - 20:13 GMT

10/01/09 During the years 1947 thur 55 Norton Kansas, held motorcycle races at the fairgrounds track. Is there anyone who can give me info, photos, race programs info, rider sign up sheets from any of these evens. The races took place one week after Sturgis,SD races held every August during these same years. Thanks R. Lee Lyons, CDA1941@verizon.net

marj: 4th Oct 2009 - 20:55 GMT

Funny I should find this site now. My husband and I are completing his memoirs, he lived in Norton from 1945 to 1960. His great grandparents homesteaded 13 miles outside Norton in the 1880's, sodhouse and all. I just scanned a picture of his baseball team sponsored by Scheetz Motors, and he mentions Bill Rouse, owner of First State Bank, financing a team trip to see Kansas City play the Yankees. As a kid In Norton, he saw Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Monarchs play, and practiced baseball with Clete Boyer. These things would not have been possible for many kids without the generosity of small-town, concerned and involved citizens of a place that once was a busy place.

We now live in a small town, and look to see who's coming through the door. They do that in Norton, too. Now I do it, as much for safety's sake as to see who's here. In Norton, they seem to be staring just to figure out who it is who just came back to town after years spent someplace else.

My husband left Norton, and by accident, discovered the computer world. The rest is history. Too bad all kids can't learn the values he did.

marj: 7th Oct 2009 - 18:06 GMT

To R L Lyons re motorcycle races. My husband says professional racers came in for these races. What my husband and his friends got out of it was, they put numbered plaques on their bicycles, and flattened a metal can to attach to one shoe to drag on the ground the way the bikers did. He did not attend the races. Good luck in your search.

marj: 7th Oct 2009 - 18:13 GMT

To Jody 25 from Melbourne. YOU are CONFUSED! Hillbillies live in Kentucky, south of where I grew up. My northern Kentucky community had HILLWILLIAMS. I know this because I am one. People from Tennessee are Ridge Runners. I believe the folks from Kansas are properly termed FLATLANDERS. People from Ohio are Buckeyes. I hope you research carefully enough to sort out your misconceptions.

Peter: 7th Oct 2009 - 20:18 GMT

hmm, im originally from tennessee, and ive never heard of "ridge runners"...

shymo: 16th Oct 2009 - 00:19 GMT

I went to high school in Norton, and it sucked ass. Kids hung out at the library or just cruised the streets every damn day for fun. On weekends they'd go get wasted drinking at the lake - exact same routine all the time.

Everybody knew your name, which yeah made you feel like somebody, sadly if anything new happened in your life the entire town would know about it by the next morning.

I lived there for 4 years, and during the time I was there, one person died in a drunk driving accident, another was shot with a BB gun and died hours later, another shot himself in the face after his girlfriend cheated on him, another killed his step-dad with a hammer for abusing his mom, and yet another came 2 seconds away from killing himself by being drunk riding on the back of a pickup and getting ran over. Luckily he recovered, only to burn down one of four total gas stations the town had down a few years later. For a town of only 3000 people this is a pretty fucked up ratio.

I'm not saying Norton is the worst place on earth to live, but it's DEFINITELY got the "Small town weirdness" that you would expect, and true a certain type of person could get used to that or even learn to appreciate it. As far as 5th most boring town in America? No chance in hell.. There are 5 towns within a 30 mile distance from Norton alone that are smaller and even more Lame than Norton could ever hope to be. At least Norton has a bowling alley and a department store that you can get almost anything.

I think the best way of describing how boring living in Norton is, is to say that living there makes DRIVING TO WAL-MART (60 miles away) seem like a really fun and enjoyable special occasion. Not even the people that live there and love it could disagree with me on this one

Cameron: 22nd Oct 2009 - 20:34 GMT

Woah, funny as hell that i came across this. My grandmother is from Norton. Small little town, no walmart or mcdonlads over there bitches.

Galloping Greg: 22nd Oct 2009 - 20:42 GMT

^^^^ LOL.... Yes, because Wal-Mart and McDonalds are the singular hallmarks of big, exciting, fancy towns :-P

tyler: 29th Oct 2009 - 14:19 GMT

i have lived in norton for 17 years and i have never been bored you can always find something to do in this town even though we are such a small town there are plenty of fun things to do. and those pictures he took were shut down a long time ago he shouldve took pictures of more exciting places like things on main street the football field on friday night and many other buildings that are still open i will always love this town and may never move out of it