Some business people die and leave no trace. One African American businessman’s name is still said regularly today, more than a quarter century after his death. This is a biography of Jimmy C. Jewell.
James “Jimmy” C. Jewell (1905-1997) was an entertainment impressario in North Omaha, Nebraska, who was once referred to as “the wealthiest Negro in Omaha.”
The son of Cecilia and Jimmy G. Jewell, he inherited the family’s businesses after his father died, including the Dreamland Ballroom and the Tuxedo Pool Hall. Jimmy was recognized for attracting a lot of nationally notable performers to the Dreamland, making it the most important entertainment venue in the city’s African American community. From the 1930s through the 1950s, Dreamland had the biggest acts including Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong.
When his building was commandeered by the federal government to serve as a USO hall for Black service members during WWII, Jewell served in the US Army. He served on the management committee for the facility though. When the war ended and he returned to work, Jewell had to sue the government to return his property and pay him for their usage of it. He won and continued operating the Dreamland Ballroom afterward.
After suffering a heart attack in 1975, Jewell closed the Dreamland Ballroom permanently.
His first wife was Carrie Jewell, from who he was divorced in 1939. In 1953 he was married to Ferwilda W. “Sis” Jewell and they remained married until his death. His funeral was at Myers Funeral Home and he was buried at Forest Lawn.
Today, the Jewell Building is an iconic historical facility at 2221 North 24th Street and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the 24th and Lake Historic District.
You Might Like…
- A History of the Jewell Building and Dreamland Ballroom
- People from North Omaha History
- History of Businesses Owned By African Americans in Omaha
MY ARTICLES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF N. 24TH ST.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES: 24th and Lake Historic District | Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church | Carnation Ballroom | Jewell Building | Minne Lusa Historic District | The Omaha Star
NEIGHBORHOODS: Near North Side | Long School | Kellom Heights | Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects | Kountze Place | Saratoga | Miller Park | Minne Lusa
BUSINESSES: 1324 North 24th Street | 24th Street Dairy Queen | 2936 North 24th Street | Jewell Building and Dreamland Ballroom | 3006 Building | Forbes Bakery, Ak-Sar-Ben Bakery, and Royal Bakery | Blue Lion Center | Omaha Star | Hash House | Live Wire Cafe | Metoyer’s BBQ | Fair Deal Cafe | Carter’s Cafe | Carnation Ballroom | Alhambra Theater | Ritz Theater | Suburban Theater | Skeet’s BBQ | Safeway | Bali-Hi Lounge | 9 Center Five-and-Dime | Jensen Building
CHURCHES: Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church | Pearl Memorial United Methodist Church | Immanuel Baptist Church | Mt Moriah Baptist Church | Bethel AME Church | North 24th Street Worship Center
HOUSES: McCreary Mansion | Gruenig Mansion | Redick Mansion
INTERSECTIONS: 24th and Lake | 24th and Pratt | 24th and Ames | 24th and Fort | Recent History of 24th and Lake | Tour of 24th and Lake
EVENTS: 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition | 1899 Greater America Exposition | 1913 Easter Sunday Tornado | 1919 Lynching and Riot | 1960s Riots
HOSPITALS: Mercy Hospital | Swedish Covenant | Salvation Army
OTHER: Omaha Driving Park | JFK Rec Center | Omaha University | Creighton University | Bryant Center | Jacobs Hall | Joslyn Hall | Harlem Renaissance
RELATED: A Street of Dreams | Redlining | Black History in Omaha | North Omaha’s Jewish Community | Binney Street | Wirt Street
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