Blog – Page 4 – North Omaha History

History of Minne Lusa School

Opened in a re-used school building in 1917, North Omaha’s Minne Lusa School has a long history.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

November 2, 2020

20th century, 21st century, architecture, Buildings, Minne Lusa, schools
History of the North Freeway in Omaha

First conceptualized in 1954, it took almost 40 years for North Omaha’s highest high speed corridor to be completed. This is a history of the North Freeway.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

October 28, 2020

20th century, 21st century, African Americans, civic infrastructure, Demolished buildings, Demolished buildings, economics, government, Highways, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Near North Side, North Omaha, Politics, racism, Segregation, streets, White flight
A Biography of Levi Carter

A wealthy industrialist worked hard, then died. His wife gave the City of Omaha a lot of money to commemorate his life, and today the name is all over East Omaha. This is a biography of Levi Carter.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

October 26, 2020

19th century, 20th century, biography, East Omaha, economics, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Manufacturing, Missouri River, wealthy
A History of Winter Quarters

In 1846, a town emerged on the western bank of the Missouri River. Although it only existed for a few years, there were a lot of elements that resembled a regular town, and its impact is still felt today. This is a history of Winter Quarters in the Indian Country. Terrorized by religious extremists in […]

Adam F.C. Fletcher

October 26, 2020

19th century, Churches, Demolished buildings, Demolished buildings, Florence, government, historic preservation, history, History of Nebraska, Monmouth Park, Mormons, North 30th, Pioneer era, religion
History of 2410 Lake Street

This is a history of the now-demolished building that once stood at 2410 Lake Street that housed a vaudeville theater, movies, a nightclub, a bowling alley, a supper club, and a teen club, as well as a bar before it was demolished in the 1970s.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

October 5, 2020

20th century, 24th and Lake, Black businesses, Black spaces and places, Cafes, Clubs, clubs, Demolished buildings, Food, Lake Street, Lost history, Near North Side, nightlife, Restaurants, Theaters
A History of the Omaha Fire Station #6

Omaha Fire Department station #6 was located at 914-16 North 24th Street. It was built in 1906 and demolished in the 1970s.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

October 2, 2020

20th century, architecture, civic infrastructure, Demolished buildings, Demolished buildings, Fire stations, Near North Side, North 24th Street
A History of Omaha’s “Black Mayor”

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.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

September 21, 2020

20th century, Black leader, Black organizations, Black spaces and places, culture, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Organizations, Segregation, Social clubs, society
History of the Carver Savings and Loan Association

This is a history of the Carver Bank in North Omaha, the first-ever Black-owned bank in Nebraska.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

September 21, 2020

20th century, 21st century, 24th and Lake, architecture, Art, Black businesspeople, Black organizations, Black spaces and places, business, Civil Rights Movement, culture, economics, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Lake Street, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Segregation
A History of the North Omaha School aka Izard School

Omaha had a hard time getting its public school system going. Once they got going, it took more than a decade to build a second school. However, when it opened on the outskirts of the city at North 17th and Izard Streets, the new school was the grandest building of its time. This is a history of the North Omaha School, aka the Izard School.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

September 12, 2020

19th century, 20th century, architecture, Demolished buildings, ethnic groups, Immigrants, Lost history, Near North Side, North Downtown, schools
A Biography of Amos P. Scruggs

Amos Potter Scruggs (1875-1946) was a popular African American attorney and government official in Omaha from 1908 to 1934.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

September 9, 2020

21st century, Activism, biography, Black politicians, Carter Lake, Law, Officials, Politics
Notable African American Women in Omaha History

Black women in Omaha have done all kinds of work as mothers, businesswomen, teachers, ministers, politicians, and in other roles to make the community great. This is a history of some of the notable African American women in North Omaha.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

August 27, 2020

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Activism, Americans, biography, Black athletes, Black businesspeople, Black leader, Black people, Black politicians, Education, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Legislators, Lost history, society
A History of 5833 Florence Boulevard

This is a history of an average house with an exceptional story at 5833 Florence Boulevard.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

July 13, 2020

20th century, 21st century, crime, Florence Boulevard, Historic houses, Lost history, Normal house history
A History of Immanuel Baptist Church

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.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

July 10, 2020

19th century, 20th century, architecture, Baptist, Demolished buildings, Kountze Place, Lost history, North 24th Street, Segregation, White flight
A History of the Ritz Theater in North Omaha

A theater opened to African Americans in a time when Omaha was deeply segregated, the Ritz Theater was an anomaly in the city. Here’s some of its history.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

June 11, 2020

20th century, architecture, Buildings, Lost history, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Segregation, theaters, Theaters, Theaters
A History of the Webster Telephone Exchange Building

Some buildings are constructed, serve a purpose and then are demolished. Others seem to live several lifetimes by acting as a base for several enterprises and a hub for the community during different crises. Despite looking like its falling apart right now, one Lake Street building is such an institution, serving as an icon of change, sustainability and transformation in the community. This is is a history of the Webster Telephone Exchange Building.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

June 5, 2020

20th century, 21st century, 24th and Lake, Architects, architecture, Black culture, Black people, Black spaces and places, business, civic infrastructure, culture, Great Plains Black History Museum, historic preservation, Lake Street, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Near North Side, Organizations, Social services
A History of Howard Kennedy School

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.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

June 5, 2020

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, architecture, Black spaces and places, historic preservation, North 30th, schools, White flight
A History of Kellom School

What do Fred Astaire, Roger and Gale Sayers, Bob Gibson, Bob Boozer, Michael Anania, Brenda Council, and former Omaha mayor Johnny Rosenblatt all have in common? Born in the Near North Side, each attended the same school. That same building is a neighborhood institution with deep roots going back at least 140 years in Omaha’s past. This is a history of North Omaha’s Kellom School.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

May 30, 2020

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, African Americans, Architects, architecture, Demolished buildings, ethnic groups, historic preservation, Immigrants, Jewish, Near North Side, North 24th Street, schools, Segregation
A Timeline of the History of Saratoga

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.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

May 16, 2020

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, Intersection, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Railway Co., Organizations, Politics, Saratoga, wealthy, White flight
A History of the Saratoga Springs Hotel in North Omaha

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. Starting a Town Erastus Beadle came to […]

Adam F.C. Fletcher

May 14, 2020

19th century, architecture, business, Demolished buildings, historic preservation, North 24th Street, Pioneer era, Saratoga
A History of the Druid Hill School in North Omaha

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.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

May 10, 2020

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architects, architecture, Black spaces and places, Buildings, economics, Education, historic preservation, Lost history, North 30th, schools
A Tour of the 24th and Lake Historic District

This is a tour of vital places in North Omaha’s 24th and Lake Historic District, as well as essential events and important people. There are also links to find more information about each item listed.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

May 6, 2020

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, 24th and Lake, African Americans, business, culture, Jewish
A History of the Zabriskie Mansion in North Omaha by Jody Lovallo

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.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

May 4, 2020

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, architecture, Bemis Park, biography, economics, Historic houses, historic preservation, Jody Lovallo, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Lost history, Mansions and estates, Official Omaha Landmark, wealthy
A Timeline of the Life of James Comey Mitchell

This is a timeline of the life of James C Mitchell, a founding fathers of Bellevue, IA and Florence, NT.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

May 1, 2020

biography, business, Florence, Mormons, North 30th, North Omaha
“An Overview of North Omaha History” Presentation Notes

These are presentation notes and links from Adam Fletcher Sasse’s April 28, 2020 presentation called “An Overview of North Omaha History.”

Adam F.C. Fletcher

April 30, 2020

historic preservation, history, North Omaha
A Biography of Florence Kilborn

This is a biography of Florence Kilborn (c1854-1866), namesake of the Florence neighborhood in North Omaha.

Adam F.C. Fletcher

April 29, 2020

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, biography, Florence, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, North 30th