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Wahoo, Nebraska

Wahoo, Nebraska

In 1869 land speculators John, James, and William Lee, H.Dorsey, E.H.Berna, J.J.Hawthorne, and George Miner, purchased this "likely spot" in the hope of developing a town in one of the richest farming regions in the state.

Originally the village was called "Leesville" for its founders, but was soon renamed "Wauhoo." It is thought that word comes from the name of a bush which grew along nearby creeks and was used by the Otoe for medicinal purposes. The "u" was dropped from the spelling, probably by postal authorities when they approved an office on July 15, 1869. It is the only town in the USA by that name.

Wahoo is home to the Late Show with David Letterman and five famous sons: Howard Hanson, 1944 Pulitzer Prize-winning composer; "Wahoo Sam" Crawford, 1957 Baseball Hall of Fame; George Beadle, 1959 Nobel Prize winner in genetics; Clarence Anderson, world famous artist, and Daryl F. Zanuck, internationally known movie producer and co-founder of 20th Century Fox.

For those who like keeping sports statistics, the Wahoo High School Basketball has a 114 game winning streak as of the 2001 season (3rd in the nation).

Location is why the people originally came to Wahoo, but it is the people from this location that now make Wahoo a great town.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

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

David Letterman Late Show

Wahoo is the Home Office of the Late Show with David Letterman.

To see Wahoo as part of the Late Show website, look for Wahoo at:

www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow//

Wahoo, NE One Of A Kinds

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

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

Saunders County Courthouse

In the early1900s the old courthouse building became inadequate which led to the construction of a new building. In 1903 a vote was held for the issuing of bonds and the construction of a proper kind of building for county purposes. It passed by a vote of 1,967 to 524

Wahoo, NE Historic Courthouses

Things to do near Wahoo, NE

Congregational Church/Library

Homestead National Monument of America

"Wild Bill" Hickok...the Beginning

Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Arboretum

Aldrich House Museum