The Native Americans of this area spelled their name “Ogala” and they pronounced it “Oklada.” It means “scatter,” or “to scatter one’s own.” Guess the white settlers stuttered when they tried to say it. I came upon Ogallala when I was driving back to Las Vegas from Detroit in the spring of 2002. I was too tired to make it all the way to Denver without stopping, so a flashing motel vacancy sign put this oddly named town on my list of places I have spent the night. It’s actually rather old, founded in 1868 and known as “The Gateway to the Great Plains” in 1870-85. I really can’t say anything bad about it, and the 5,107 people who call it home seem to like it (see the official web site, below). Maybe it’s worth visiting if you are into obscure towns named after Sioux tribes. Otherwise, skip it.

www.ogallala-ne.gov