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Wahoo, Nebraska

The Saunders County Historical Society was the recipient of one of two rocks making up the Twin Rocks marker on the Ox-Bow Trail through the generosity of Don Johnson of Ceresco and Christine Nygren of Ashland.

The Ox-Bow Trail started at Nebraska City, went northwest to the Platte River and then southwest to Fort Kearney. The trail was in the shape of the curved wooden yoke worn by the oxen which pulled the wagons. This trail had the advantage of easy access to water, with only one stream to ford at the crossing of Salt Creek at the Saline Ford (present day Ashland). Between 1840 and 1867, before the railroad, the Ox-Bow Trail was an important immigrant and freighter overland wagon trail and a northern "feeder" route on the Oregon-Mormon Trail.

The Twin Rocks consisted of two large rocks, which were located northeast of Ceresco. An early owner, an enterprising farmer, blasted apart the first rock before neighbors stopped him, explaining the landmark's significance. The second rock, of red Sioux quartzite, was removed in the fall of 1991 and sold to a landscaping firm in Gretna. By luck, Don Johnson, originally from Ceresco, found the rock and offered it to the Historical Society.

The Saunders County Department of Roads hauled the 24,490 pound rock from Gretna to the Historical Society Museum Complex in Wahoo, where it is inscribed and on permanent display in front of the museum.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

First United Methodist Church

The religious work done by the circuit riders in the 1860s and early 1870s which included Rev. C.W. Comstock and Rev. M.M. Smith laid the foundation for Methodism in the South Platte Mission, which included all of Saunders County except Ashland. In the spring of 1872

Wahoo, NE Historic Churches

Historic Hanson House

This simplified Queen Anne dwelling was built about 1888 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house is the childhood home of Dr. Howard Hanson from 1896-1917

Wahoo, NE National Register

Burlington Depot

The Wahoo Burlington Depot, a two-story wood frame building on the Ashland-to-Schuyler line, was constructed in 1886, several months before the railroad's tracks were completed in 1887. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Wahoo, NE Museums

Memorial Torpedo

Displayed on the front lawn of the Saunders County Courthouse is the only submarine memorial in the United States, a World War II torpedo dedicated to the serviceman of the war.

Wahoo, NE Memorials

First Congregational Church

The First Congregational Church was organized at Eldred, 12 miles northeast of Wahoo. Rev. Mr. Giddings was the preacher for both Eldred and Wahoo. The organizational meeting was headed by Rev. J.E. Heaton and took place on May 28, 1871. In 1880, a church was erected on the southeast corner of 5

Wahoo, NE Historic Churches

Things to do near Wahoo, NE

James Family Conservatory

The James Family Conservatory is a dual-purpose facility, devoted to displays on native Nebraska plants and aquatic resources...

Itha-Krumme Memorial Arboretum

Itha-Krumme Memorial Arboretum is a showcase of Nebraska plants and a place to learn about plant biologies and characteristic...