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Weeping Water, Nebraska

Weeping Water, Nebraska

An Indian legend tells of a battle which began when one tribe stole the daughter of another tribe's chief, and ended three days later when many braves of both tribes were slain. The tears cried by the families of the fallen warriors were said to have formed the "weeping waters." For hours and hours they wept until their tears began to make trickling streamlets which flowed down into the valley where they formed a larger stream. The Indians named this stream "Weeping Water," and it has ever since been flowing. To this day, it is said, you can sit beside the falls of the Weeping Water Creek and hear the weeping and wailing of the Indian squaws and maidens.

A leisurely drive from either Lincoln or Omaha will bring you to the only town in the United States which bears the name "Weeping Water." The unique, heavily wooded town is situated on the creek from which it borrowed its name.

The dense woods surrounding Weeping Water paint a beautiful picture, especially in spring and fall. Hidden among the rolling hills are many wild flowers and rare plants. A few hazelnut trees stand on the side of Cemetery Hill. Local residents refer to Elm Street and North Commercial by their colorful old names - Gospel Hill and Chicken Hollow. Oakwood Cemetery, originally a public burying ground, has many old tombstones and provides a beautiful view overlooking the town. Scenic Drive has as much color in the fall as many Ozarks highways. Other modern points of interest are Brown's Airport which hosts sky-diving events, and several limestone quarries, which produce crushed rock and allied products and provide industrial activity for this otherwise rural community.

For rock hounds, the creek bed, the quarries, and other places where limestone is exposed are sources of interesting fossils. Some rare fossils from this area are included in the fine collection of Morrill Hall (the University of Nebraska State Museum on the Lincoln Campus). The area is also rich in Indian relics. An outstanding collection, much of which is now housed in the museum of the State Historical Society in Lincoln, has been compiled by the late Dr. L.N. Kunkel of Weeping Water, an authority on the area.

A complex known as the Heritage House Museum includes 3 historic buildings which house many displays of Indian artifacts and early Weeping Water memorabilia. The newest museum addition called Memory Lane is located downtown and tells the story of Main Street life in a small town on the Plains before 1930.

Weeping Water celebrates its main industry - limestone - once a year with activities including a parade, ball games, kids' fishing contest, mine tours, rock olympics, street dance, and one of the largest fireworks displays in the county. The summer farmers market and the Cass County fair keep visitors coming to this unique town throughout the summer and fall.

Today as yesterday, the land and the limestone provide the community with its diverse economy. While Germans formed the largest immigrant group in the valley, Weeping Water once had its own "Swede Town," a testimony to the presence of Scandinavian immigrants. Mail boxes still proudly carry the names of those whose ancestors came to till the soil and work in the shops over a century ago. The highest population was 1,350 in 1890, with current figures maintaining about 1,000 residents.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Limestone/Independence Day

The annual Limestone/Independence Day Celebration is a combined celebration of two former events, Limestone Days and Fourth of July.

Weeping Water, NE Festivals

Heritage House Museum

The Heritage House Museum is a complex of three buildings consisting of the main museum, a native stone house, and a small wood structure which had been the office of Dr. Jesse Fate, a homeopathic physician. The name "Heritage"

Weeping Water, NE Museums

Theodore Davis Site - NHR

On a prominent natural terrace of Weeping Water Creek, the Davis village, located near the town of Weeping Water, is the most extensively studied community of the Nebraska Phase. This culture flourished along the Missouri River and its tributaries from A.D. 1100-1400

Weeping Water, NE Archaeology

Memory Lane Museum

The newest addition to the Heritage House Museum Complex is located in downtown Weeping Water in the building built by the Oddfellows for Oddfellows, Rebeccas, Masons, Eastern Star and Rainbow, I.O.G.T., G.A.R., Royal Arcanum and Royal Neighbors. The local newspaper,

Weeping Water, NE Museums

Gibson House - NHR

The Gibson House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an excellent example in Nebraska of Georgian architecture. The house also incorporates Italianate features in its design. The two-story brick dwelling was built for Mary

Weeping Water, NE National Register

Things to do near Weeping Water, NE

Hilltop Country Club

Course Access: Semi-PrivateHoles: 9Reserve Advance Tee Times: Yes...