About Wahoo

Wahoo Area History & Attractions:
Wahoo derived its name from the Indian word meaning "burning bush." A shrub called Euonymus, once grew along the banks of the Wahoo Creek and was the favorite medicinal plant of the Otoe Indian tribe. The first settlement was made by Moses Stocking in 1865 and the Saunders County seat was established in Wahoo in 1873.

Saunders County Historical Society Museum:
Exhibits on display feature Darrly Zanuck, movie producer and founder of 20th Century Fox; George Beadle, a Nobel Prize winning scientist; Sam "Wahoo" Crawford, hall of Fame baseball player; and music composer Howard Hanson. Also featured is 1886 Burlington Railroad Depot that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located at 240 n. Walnut. Admission is free (402) 443-3090

Lake Wanahoo:
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2001 for this multipurpose flood control and recreational dam. Lake Wanahoo will contain 637 surface acres of water on 1600 acres of ground. It will offer fishing, camping, picnicking, day use and no-wake boating. The surrounding area will provide an island of wild life habitat for native creatures. Located on the north edge of Wahoo.

The Late Show Home Office:
Wahoo has been designated the Home Office of The Late Show with David Letterman show on CBS.

Wahoo Parks and Recreation:
Offers recreation for children, adult league sports, aerobics, and Olympic-size indoor pool, and racketball courts.

Outdoor Facilities:
Wahoo recreational facilities include a new zero entry public swimming pool, tennis courts, golf course, baseball and softball diamonds and four city parks.

Wahoo Facts:
Wahoo is the County Seat of Saunders County Nebraska. Wahoo has a population of about 4,000 friendly people and Saunders County numbers about 19,000. Wahoo High School possesses the 3rd longest basketball winning streak in the nation at 114 games. Wahoo is served by the Union Pacific Railroad. All north/south streets are named after trees. Wahoo is the home town of five famous sons, Howard Hanson, a 1944 Pulitzer Price-winning composer; "Wahoo Sam" Crawford, a 1957 Baseball Hall of Fame member; George Beadle, 1959 Nobel Prize winner in genetics; Clarence Anderson, world-famous artist; and Darryl F. Zanuck, internationally-known movie producer and cofounder of 20th Century Fox studios. Wahoo has the only submarine memorial in the United States at the Saunders County Courthouse.

Wahoo Annual Events:

• Pedal Pull at the fairgrounds in January;

• Bull riding at the fairgrounds in February and May;

• University of Nebraska at Lincoln College Radeo at the fairgrounds in April;

• Spring Polka Fest at the Starlite Ballroom in April;

• Wahoops Basketball in April;

• Spring Craft Fair at the Starlite Ballroom in April;

• Swap Meet at the fairgrounds the last Sunday in April;

• Wahoo Country Music Show at the fairgrounds in June;

• BRAN Stay in Wahoo featuring a craft fair, farmers market, bake sale, sidewalk sales, raffles, and fund raisers in June;

• Wahoo Fun Run in June;

• Show 'N' Shine Car Show in downtown Wahoo in June;
  

• Independence Day Celebration at Hackberry Park on July 4th;
  

• 3 on 3 Jam in downtown Wahoo in July;
  

• Saunders County Fair in late July and early August;
  

• Tractor Pull at the fairgrounds in July
  

• Hometown Carnival at the fairgrounds in July;
  

• River City Roundup Trial Night BBQ & Dance at the fairgrounds in September;
  

• Special Olympics Equestrian Horse Show at the Fairgrounds in October;
  

• Lighted Christmas Vehicle Parade and Downtown Lighting in downtown Wahoo in late November.

For more information contact the Wahoo Chamber at (402) 443-4001

Links To Wahoo: