RECREATION
Numerous parks and athletic complexes are available including Wiggenhorn Park, Central Bark Dog Park, Ashland Golf Club and Quarry Oaks Golf Course. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is home to year-round recreation at Little Creek and Lakeside campgrounds as well as the Peter Kiewit Lodge. Schramm Park State Recreation Area is a historic site in the hills of the Platte River Valley home to the state’s first fish hatchery. The Missouri, Platte and Elkhorn Rivers all flow through Washington County, which is also home to Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and Fort Atkinson State Historical Park. The area is also home to Ashland History Museum, Glacial Till Winery Tasting Room (pictured), Cellar 426 Winery, Holy Family Shrine, Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Nebraska Crossing Outlets and I-80 Speedway. Stir-Up Days is the largest annual event featuring family fun and activities and Ashland Art Walks showcase local arts and artists of all ages.
AMENITIES
Eastern Nebraska is home to the two largest metropolitan areas in the state. Within four miles of Ashland, NE are three of the most popular attractions in eastern NE and downtown contains several art galleries. The economy in Blair, NE features companies like Woodhouse Auto Family, Cargill and NatureWorks LLC. Ashland Public Schools and Blair Community School District serve K-12 education needs, while the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Omaha are two of the state’s major higher education institutions. Healthcare options include CHI Health, OrthoNebraska Hospital, Children’s Hospital and Methodist Women’s Hospital among numerous others
Whitetail Estates subdivision is currently preparing the beautiful and scenic hill just outside Ashland with a first phase of 50 home sites. There is also a 4-acre commercial tract that might include a hotel, restaurant and other retail or office space. Subsequent phases would add 100 additional homes. Please call Cerny Land Home and Auction for details on this exciting development between Omaha and Lincoln. Click here to view plat map of available tracts
CLIMATE
Eastern Nebraska features a humid continental climate with hot summers and generally cold winters. Annual precipitation averages approximately 30 inches of rain and 23 inches of snow.
HISTORY
Saunders County was formed in 1856 and was named Calhoun County until 1862. Ashland is believed to be the first settlement in the county and was selected as the seat in 1866, the same year the first county election was held.
The expansion of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad signaled the beginnings of Blair. Platted in 1869, the town was named for railroad magnate John Insley Blair and incorporated as a city in 1872.