Category: Black people

A Biography of Edwin R. Overall

Post author By Adam F.C. Fletcher
Post date October 7, 2020
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This is Edwin R. Overall (1835–1901), a leader in the Omaha African American community for 30+ years.

Edwin R. Overall (1835–1901) led a long life fighting segregation and white supremacy. Learn about his tremendous life in North Omaha.

20th century Black leader Black organizations Black spaces and places culture historic preservation History of Nebraska Lost history Organizations Segregation Social clubs society

A History of Omaha’s “Black Mayor”

Post author By Adam F.C. Fletcher
Post date September 21, 2020
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This 1947 ad from the Omaha Guide promotes the election of the "Mayor of Bronzeville" competition in North Omaha.

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.

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 Carver Savings and Loan Association

Post author By Adam F.C. Fletcher
Post date September 21, 2020
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This is the Carver Savings and Loan Association building at 2416 Lake Street in the 24th and Lake Historic District.

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

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

Notable African American Women in Omaha History

Post author By Adam F.C. Fletcher
Post date August 27, 2020
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The Negro Women's Christian Association of Omaha was founded in the 1890s and existed until the 1950s.

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.

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition Black people Black spaces and places culture Demolished buildings historic preservation history racism

A History of the Old Plantation in North Omaha

Post author By Adam F.C. Fletcher
Post date March 15, 2020
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The Old Plantation was a feature at the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition and its successor, the 1899 Greater America Exposition, both happening in North Omaha.

This is a history of the Old Plantation, a display at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in North Omaha in 1898.

20th century biography Black businesses Black businesspeople business historic preservation History of Nebraska Lost history Near North Side Segregation theaters

A Biography of George P. Johnson

Post author By Adam F.C. Fletcher
Post date March 1, 2020
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The Lincoln Motion Picture Company produced films in L.A., but operated out of North Omaha.

The first-ever Black-owned, operated and filmed theater company in the world was led from North Omaha.

20th century 24th and Lake biography Black businesses Black businesspeople clubs historic preservation Listed on National Register of Historic Places Near North Side nightlife

A History of Allen’s Showcase in North Omaha

Post author By Adam F.C. Fletcher
Post date February 24, 2020
1 Comment on A History of Allen’s Showcase in North Omaha

The building at 2229 Lake Street was Allen's Showcase from 1951 through approximately 1983. It was included in the listing for the 24th and Lake Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. Pic courtesy of Michaela Armetta.

This is a biography of Paul B. Allen, and a history of Allen’s Showcase in North Omaha.