Author: Adam F.C. Fletcher

I share about youth, education, history and more. Learn more about me at https://adamfletcher.net
20th century, business, Culture, events, Industry, Media, North 16th Street, YouthLeave a comment
This is "A History of the First Car Phone in North Omaha" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the First Car Phone in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

In 1920, a pair of young men in North Omaha faked creating a wireless car phone. This is the story of what actually happened. Continue reading A History of the First Car Phone in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, Activism, African Methodist Episcopal, Biographies, Black churches, Black culture, Black History, Black ministers, Civil Rights Movement, Culture, Enslaved Person, Ministers, Near North SideLeave a comment
This is a biography of Rev. W.T. Osborne (1855-1932) of St. John's AME Church in Omaha, Nebraska by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A Biography of Rev. W.T. Osborne

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Rev. W.T. Osborne (1855-1932) was an influential leader in Omaha’s African American community. Over five decades, his ministry in the AME church spanned several states and touched thousands of lives. Continue reading A Biography of Rev. W.T. Osborne

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Black people, Cuming Street, Historic districts, Houses, Integration, Middle class, Neighborhoods, Neoclassical or Classical Revival, Normal house history, North 30th Street, Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Railway Co., Public housing, Queen Anne, Redlining, Segregation, White people1 Comment
This is a history of the Montclair Neighborhood by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Montclair Neighborhood in Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

The Montclair Neighborhood in North Omaha, established in the late 19th century, transformed over time to ultimately face challenges like redlining yet keeps fostering a resilient community. Continue reading A History of the Montclair Neighborhood in Omaha

20th century, Biographies, Black businesses, Demolished buildings, Harlem Renaissance, Hotels, Industry, Manufacturing, North 16th Street, North Downtown, OwnershipLeave a comment
This was an ad for the Kaffir Chemical Company at 817 North 16th St. in Omaha.

A History of the Kaffir Chemical Laboratories in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Kaffir Chemical Laboratories was founded in 1920 by African American entrepreneurs in North Omaha. Led by Madree Penn, it became a significant Black-owned business producing various products until its decline by 1925, representing a powerful chapter in Omaha’s Black business history. Continue reading A History of the Kaffir Chemical Laboratories in North Omaha

#PreserveThisPlace, 20th century, 24th and Lake, Black businesses, Black businesspeople, Black hotels, Historic houses, Houses, Near North Side, Segregation, Willis AvenueLeave a comment
This is a history of the Ashby Tourist Home at 2228 Willis Avenue in North Omaha, Nebraska, written by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Ashby Tourist Home

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the Ashby Tourist Home at 2228 Willis Avenue in North Omaha. It was crucial for Black travelers in the city, offering them hospitality amid widespread racism. Its significance lies in fostering community and resilience during the Jim Crow era in Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Ashby Tourist Home

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Banks, Bar or Tavern, Buildings, Commercial vernacular, Florence, History museums, History of Nebraska, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Newspapers, North 30th Street, Official Omaha Landmark, Pioneer eraLeave a comment
This is a history of the Bank of Florence by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Bank of Florence

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the Bank of Florence in North Omaha, including its usages as a bank, newspaper office, Old West Saloon and horse stable, and as a museum today. Continue reading A History of the Bank of Florence

20th century, Black leader, Black organizations, Black spaces and places, Culture, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Organizations, Segregation, Social clubs, societyLeave a comment
"Mayor of Bronzeville," Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Omaha’s “Black Mayor”

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Since its founding in 1854, the City of Omaha has never had a publicly elected Black mayor. For a period in from the 1930s through the 1940s though, there was a Black mayor competition held. This is a history of that position. Continue reading A History of Omaha’s “Black Mayor”

19th century, 20th century, Architecture, Baptist, Demolished buildings, Kountze Place, Lost history, North 24th Street, Segregation, White flight13 Comments
Immanuel Baptist Church, North 24th and Pinkney Streets, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Immanuel Baptist Church

Adam F.C. Fletcher

A giant church building, a large congregation and lots of impact by Immanuel Baptist Church went on for more than 50 years in North Omaha. Today there’s no sign of this once-important place. This is a history of the church. Continue reading A History of Immanuel Baptist Church

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Black spaces and places, historic preservation, North 30th Street, schools, White flight5 Comments
Howard Kennedy Elementary School, 2906 North 30th Street, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Howard Kennedy School

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Sitting on top of a hill on the western edge of North Omaha, the Omaha View School was one of the city’s earliest. Rebuilt on a new site in 1908, in 1910 it was renamed, too. Since then the school has had notable alumni, built the surrounding neighborhood up, and changed dramatically. This is a history of the Howard Kennedy Elementary School. Continue reading A History of Howard Kennedy School

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Ames Avenue, Architecture, Belt Line, Buildings, business, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Economics, Expo Grounds, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Houses, Industry, Intersections, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Railway Co., Organizations, Politics, Saratoga, Wealth, White flightLeave a comment
Suburban Theatre, North Omaha, Nebraska

A Timeline of the History of Saratoga

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a timeline of the history of the Saratoga neighborhood in North Omaha, including the intersection of 24th and Ames. Included here are events, places and people central to the neighborhood’s existence as a pioneer town, leafy suburb, and a seemingly abandoned urban neighborhood. Continue reading A Timeline of the History of Saratoga

19th century, Architecture, business, Demolished buildings, historic preservation, North 24th Street, Pioneer era, SaratogaLeave a comment
Grant Hotel aka Saratoga Springs Hotel, N. 24th and Grand Ave., North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Saratoga Springs Hotel in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

One building defined the early history of a boom-and-bust town located in present-day North Omaha. Despite only being open for a short time, the building left a long shadow on the area. This is a history of the Saratoga Springs Hotel in the town of Saratoga, Nebraska Territory. Continue reading A History of the Saratoga Springs Hotel in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architects, Architecture, Black spaces and places, Buildings, Economics, Education, historic preservation, Lost history, North 30th Street, schools5 Comments
Druid Hill Elementary School, North 30th and Spaulding Streets, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Druid Hill School

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Some schools in Omaha were built in reaction to floods of new residents moving into neighborhoods unexpectedly. Others were built to attract new residents. Originally opened in 1885, the school at North 30th and Spaulding Street was the latter. This is a history of the Druid Hill School in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Druid Hill School

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Bemis Park, Biographies, Economics, Historic houses, historic preservation, Jody Lovallo, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Lost history, Mansions and estates, Official Omaha Landmark, Wealth5 Comments
Zabriskie Mansion, 3524 Hawthorne Avenue, the Bemis Park Landmark Heritage District, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Zabriskie Mansion in North Omaha by Jody Lovallo

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Adam’s Note: This is a guest article by Jody Lovallo in her continuing series about important women in North Omaha history. Check out the “You Might Like…” section below for links to her other articles. Enjoy “A History of the Zabriskie Mansion” by Jody Lovallo. Continue reading A History of the Zabriskie Mansion in North Omaha by Jody Lovallo

19th century, 20th century, Activism, Biographies, Black leader, Black politicians, historic preservation, Lost history, Organizations, Politics, RacismLeave a comment
Rev. Anna R. Woodbey (1855-1901), North Omaha, Nebraska

A Biography of Rev. Anna R. Woodbey

Adam F.C. Fletcher

One woman from North Omaha made it her life’s work to ban the demon’s spirit, juice, sauce, hooch, vino, and liquid courage from everywhere, all the time. This is a biography of Anna R. Woodbey. Continue reading A Biography of Rev. Anna R. Woodbey

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Civic Infrastructure, Economics, Florence, Government, Highways, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Missouri River, Mormons, North 30th Street, Politics, Ponca Hills, Wyman Heights10 Comments
Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Mormon Bridge in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Built on the rock bottom of the Missouri River, dreams of today’s Mormon Bridge go back to 1846. This article explores the history of the bridge, the ferries, the politics and more. Continue reading A History of the Mormon Bridge in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Carter Lake, Demolished buildings, East Omaha, Economics, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Industry, Manufacturing, Missouri River, Parks, Public health, Wrecked buildings1 Comment
Carter White Lead Company, Omaha

A History of the Carter White Lead Company Factory in East Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

For 40 years, one plant poisoned North Omaha with heinous disregard. This is a history of the Carter White Lead Company factory in East Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Carter White Lead Company Factory in East Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Black people, Buildings, Civic Infrastructure, Economics, Geography, Historic houses, historic preservation, Houses, Lost history, Neighborhoods, North 30th Street, Parks, Politics, real estate, Scandinavians, schools, Segregation, White flight5 Comments

A History of the Omaha View Neighborhood

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of North Omaha’s Omaha View neighborhood, one of the city’s oldest western expanses. Continue reading A History of the Omaha View Neighborhood

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Ames Ave, Apartments, Architecture, Civic Infrastructure, Demolished buildings, Economics, Historic houses, historic preservation, Houses, Monmouth Park, Neighborhoods, schools, White flight, Wrecked buildingsLeave a comment
Monmouth Park neighborhood, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Monmouth Park Neighborhood

Adam F.C. Fletcher

One neighborhood in North Omaha had a hospital, a half-dozen churches and businesses galore, and a long history. Then it all seemed to disappear. This is a history of the Monmouth Park neighborhood. Continue reading A History of the Monmouth Park Neighborhood

20th century, 21st century, Ames Ave, Architecture, Buildings, business, Drug store, Economics, Food, Grocery store, historic preservation, Lost history, Restaurants, shopping, Wealth, White flight26 Comments
A history of Ames Plaza in North Omaha by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of the Ames Plaza, North Omaha’s Shopping Center

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the Ames Plaza, opened in 1960 at North 56th and Ames Avenue in then-Northwest Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Ames Plaza, North Omaha’s Shopping Center

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Activism, Architecture, Catholics, Civil Rights Movement, Culture, Cuming Street, Economics, historic preservation, Immigrants, Irish, Italians, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Lost history, North Downtown, Official Omaha Landmark, Poverty, schools, White flight3 Comments
A History of North Omaha's Holy Family Catholic Church by Adam Fletcher Sasse, NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Holy Family Catholic Parish

Adam F.C. Fletcher

For more than 50 years, Holy Family Catholic has been among the most activist Catholic parishes in Omaha. Before that it was an Italian parish, and before that, Irish. Here’s a history. Continue reading A History of the Holy Family Catholic Parish

20th century, Ames Ave, Economics, Florence Boulevard, Lost history, Manufacturing, Saratoga2 Comments
Omaha 30, Omaha Motor Car Company, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Omaha Motor Car Company in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

When the automobile industry was just getting started, every major city in the United States had at least one manufacturer. In Omaha, there were several including the Ottomobile, Ford trucks, and the Omaha Car, which lasted for just over a … Continue reading A History of the Omaha Motor Car Company in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Belt Line Railway, Buildings, Demolished buildings, Economics, historic preservation, Lost history, ManufacturingLeave a comment
Murphy, Wasey and Company factory built at Spaulding Street and Belt Line Railway, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Murphy, Wasey and Company Factory in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

In 1890, a major Detroit-based chair manufacturer called Murphy, Wasey and Company arrived in a big way in North Omaha. Located at 3167-77 Spaulding Street along what was then called North 32nd (aka John A. Creighton Boulevard) and the Belt … Continue reading A History of Murphy, Wasey and Company Factory in North Omaha

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, 20th century, Architecture, Black churches, Kountze Place, Lake Street, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Lost history, North 24th Street, Official Omaha Landmark, Presbyterian, Religion, Segregation, Wrecked buildings4 Comments
North Presbyterian Church, 3105 North 24th Street, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of North Omaha’s Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church was a short-lived attempt by a fleeting denomination to maintain a significant presence in North Omaha. Despite the hard work and commitment by African American members, the congregation ultimately failed. However, they did succeed in ensuring … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Buildings, Civic Infrastructure, Ethnicities & Races, Historic houses, Lost history, Neighborhoods, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, North 30th Street, Public housing, Segregation, Wrecked buildings3 Comments
"A History of Public Housing in North Omaha" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of Public Housing in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Public housing was introduced in Omaha in 1937 when the federal Housing Act was passed. This act made federal loans to the city for the construction of low-income public housing. This is a history of the public housing in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Public Housing in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Black businesses, Black people, Black spaces and places, Demolished buildings, Historic houses, Lost history, Restaurants, society6 Comments
Hillcrest Mansion, 2711 Caldwell Street, North Omaha, Nebraska.

A History of the Hillcrest Mansion in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is the story of a mansion in North Omaha built as a home to a wealthy real estate mogul that eventually became the site of a decades-long Black-owned business. Continue reading A History of the Hillcrest Mansion in North Omaha

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, Architects, Architecture, Florence Boulevard, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Lost history, North 16th Street, Parks, Segregation, Wrecked buildings4 Comments
This is the Grand Court at the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in North Omaha, shown at nighttime with all of the electric lights on. It was the largest display of electricity in Omaha at that point.

A History of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Continue reading A History of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, Architecture, Buildings, Culture, Education, historic preservation, History of NebraskaLeave a comment
Girls and Boys Building, Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Girls and Boys Building in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Of all the buildings made for the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, the Girls and Boys Building had one of the most joyful, loyal and enthusiastic receptions. Here is a short history of the building. Fundraising for Construction “It was … Continue reading A History of the Girls and Boys Building in North Omaha

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, Architecture, Buildings, Expo Grounds, Florence Boulevard, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Lost history, Wrecked buildings2 Comments
This is the Administration Building, aka the Administrative Arch, at the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Expo in North Omaha, Nebraska in 1898.

A History of the Administration Arch in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the Administrative Building, aka the Administration Arch, at the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition held in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Administration Arch in North Omaha

20th century, Black organizations, Buildings, doctors, Healthcare, Hospitals, Lost history, Segregation1 Comment
People's Hospital, 1844 N. 20th Street, North Omaha, Nebraska, 1948 to 1953.

A History of the People’s Hospital in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

For almost a century, it was widely known that hospitals in Omaha were for whites only. Defacto segregation made doctors apply for birth certificates at hospitals where African American mothers weren’t allowed to birth their babies, while African American doctors … Continue reading A History of the People’s Hospital in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Fairfax, Fontenelle Boulevard, historic preservation, Houses, Lost history, Normal house history, Racism2 Comments
3424 North 42nd Street, North Omaha.

A History of 3467 North 42nd Street

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Focused on an address where everyday North Omaha people lived, this house is similar to the other exposés I’ve written. Over more than 125 years, some of these homes have fallen apart and others were bulldozed, while the vast majority of … Continue reading A History of 3467 North 42nd Street