Category: Americans

19th century, Americans, Biographies, Black businesspeople, business, Cuming Street, Enslaved Person, North 16th Street, OwnershipLeave a comment
"Smith Coffey Still Lives" was news in the Omaha Daily Bee on June 11, 1884.

A Biography of Smith Coffey

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Smith Coffey became a prominent blacksmith and community leader in Omaha who helped establish the first African American church, participated in politics, and faced struggles. Continue reading A Biography of Smith Coffey

20th century, 4CL, Activism, Americans, Black culture, Black History, Black leader, Black ministers, Black people, Civil Rights Movement, events, Racism, SegregationLeave a comment
This is "A History of Malcolm X's June 30, 1964, Appearance in Omaha" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of Malcolm X’s June 30, 1964, Appearance in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

In 1964, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz returned to his Omaha birthplace to deliver a potent “Warning to White America.” While the Omaha Star highlighted his substance and self-defense advocacy, the World-Herald used sensationalism and bias to fuel decades of local resistance. This is an account of the occasion. Continue reading A History of Malcolm X’s June 30, 1964, Appearance in Omaha

19th century, Abolition, Activism, Americans, Black activists, Black businesspeople, Black culture, Black leader, Black politicians, Crime, Culture, Economics, Lost history, Omaha, Pioneer era, Politics, Prince Hall Masons, Racism, Segregation, society, White peopleLeave a comment
This 1868 article details how Black people joined Omaha's Republican Party after Emancipation.

A History of Black Voting in Omaha Before 1870

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Before Omaha’s founding in 1854, white supremacy suppressed Black political participation. This is a story of how Black people in the city were betrayed by white leaders and still thrived, regardless of white supremacy. Continue reading A History of Black Voting in Omaha Before 1870

Americans, Black History, Black people, events, History of Nebraska, Lost historyLeave a comment
This is Nebraska Black History by Adam Fletcher Sasse.

Nebraska Black History

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The history of African Americans in Nebraska showcases resilience amidst systemic racism and violence. Despite facing persistent discrimination, Black people have contributed significantly to civil rights, economic growth, cultural achievements, and much more, shaping Nebraska’s identity and legacy. This is Nebraska Black History by Adam Fletcher Sasse. Continue reading Nebraska Black History

20th century, African Methodist Episcopal, American Legion, American Legion Post #30, Americans, Biographies, Black doctors, Culture, doctors, Forest Lawn burial, SegregationLeave a comment
Dr. Wesley B. Jones (1891-1959) was a medical doctor in North Omaha, Nebraska, for 38 years. A recognized community leader, he was involved in the civil rights movement and other efforts to empower the city's African American community.

A Biography of Dr. Wesley Jones

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a biography of Dr. Wesley B. Jones (1891-1959), a medical doctor practiciin North Omaha, Nebraska, for 38 years. A recognized community leader, he was involved in the civil rights movement and other efforts to empower the city’s African American community. Continue reading A Biography of Dr. Wesley Jones

16th century, 17th century, 18th century, Americans, Black History, Black people, Black spaces and places, Enslaved Person, Ethnicities & Races, Europeans, French, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Immigrants, Lost history, Missouri River, Mormons, Native Americans, Omaha, Pioneer era, Racism, Spanish, White peopleLeave a comment
York (1770 – before 1832) was the first African American in Omaha. He was a slave belonging to William Clark of the 1804 Lewis and Clark expedition.

A History of Black People in the Omaha Area Before 1850

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Black trappers, traders, pioneers, and farmers were in the Omaha area before the city was founded. This is a history of Black people in the Omaha area before 1854 by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com. Continue reading A History of Black People in the Omaha Area Before 1850

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, African Methodist Episcopal, Americans, Architects, Architecture, Baptist, Black churches, Black spaces and places, Buildings, Catholics, Churches, Demolished buildings, Economics, Ethnicities & Races, Europeans, Lutheran, Poverty, Presbyterian, Religion, Segregation, United Methodist, Wealth, White people, Wrecked buildings4 Comments
These are some of the historic churches of the Kountze Place neighborhood in North Omaha.

Directory of Historic North Omaha Church Buildings

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a directory of historic North Omaha church buildings. Many are still churches; some are not. Continue reading Directory of Historic North Omaha Church Buildings

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Activism, Americans, Biographies, Black athletes, Black businesspeople, Black leader, Black people, Black politicians, Education, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Legislators, Lost history, society3 Comments
Negro Women's Christian Association of Omaha, 933 N. 25th St., North Omaha, Nebraska

Notable African American Women in Omaha History

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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. Continue reading Notable African American Women in Omaha History

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Americans, Architecture, Black History, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Economics, Education, Ethnicities & Races, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Long School, Lost history, Monmouth Park, Near North Side, North Omaha, Politics, Poverty, Race riot, schools, Segregation, society, White flight, Wrecked buildings11 Comments
This is a 1968 pic of a mother and daughter at Saratoga School during a parent night program.

A History of Segregated Schools in Omaha, Nebraska

Adam Fletcher Sasse

There were and are many segregated schools in Omaha, and this is an account of their history. Continue reading A History of Segregated Schools in Omaha, Nebraska

Americans, Biographies, Black History, Books, Crime, General history, Historic houses, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, North Omaha, Omaha, Politics, press release, self-published, storytelling, StreetsLeave a comment
This is the cover of North Omaha History: Volume Three by Adam Fletcher Sasse

Dynamic Past, Hope-filled Future: North Omaha History, Volume Three Now On Sale!

Adam Fletcher Sasse

(Olympia, WA: December 1, 2016) The final book of Adam Fletcher Sasse’s series, North Omaha History: Volume Three, is now available from CommonAction Publishing. In the third book of the North Omaha History Series, Adam Fletcher Sasse reveals a lot of the hidden, denied … Continue reading Dynamic Past, Hope-filled Future: North Omaha History, Volume Three Now On Sale!

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Americans, Black History, Culture, North Omaha, Politics, society1 Comment
This is a group of historical figures from North Omaha, Nebraska, including Rev. Anna R. Woodbey (1855-1901); James C. Mitchell (1809-1896); Rev. John Albert Williams (1866-1933); Manuel Lisa (1772-1820); Ophelia Clenlans (1852-1907); Dr. Rodney Weed; Vivian Strong (1954-1969); and Robert Strehlow (1862-1952).

People from North Omaha History

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a timeline of people from the history of North Omaha. They include people from political, legal, religious, medical, and other professions who transformed the community in countless ways. There are also creative leaders, sports figures, and others, too. Continue reading People from North Omaha History

18th century, 19th century, 20th century, Americans, Cemeteries, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Halloween, History of Nebraska, North 30th Street8 Comments
This is a 1900 article heading from the Omaha World-Herald entitled "Lost: Two whole cemeteries in the City of Omaha. Find will be rewarded with a large assortment of dead men's bones."

A History of Missing Cemeteries in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Prospect Hill Cemetery was not Omaha’s first cemetery. This article explores that, and shares information about the city’s actual first cemeteries, including a few others lost to time. Continue reading A History of Missing Cemeteries in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, Americans, Architecture, Culture, Florence, ghosts, Halloween, historic preservation, Native Americans27 Comments
Hummel Park, J. J. Pershing Drive, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of North Omaha’s Hummel Park

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Ponca Hills are packed with real history and some mysteries. Unfortunately, one of the most enigmatic stories in the history of the entire city of Omaha is there, too. This is a history of Hummel Park. There is a … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Hummel Park

18th century, 19th century, 20th century, Americans, Black History, Economics, Government, History of Nebraska, North Omaha, Omaha, Politics, Poverty, Race riot, Racism, society, White flight7 Comments
This is a visual map of the racial composition of Omaha as of 2010. Green represents African American; orange, Hispanic/Latino; red, Asian American; blue, white. From the Racial Dot Map at https://demographics.virginia.edu/DotMap/index.html

A Timeline of Racism in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Race and racism has dominated Omaha has history of movement, organizing and activism for civil rights for African Americans and others that goes almost back to the founding of the city. Following is a timeline of race and racism in North Omaha. Continue reading A Timeline of Racism in Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Americans, Economics, Government, History of Nebraska, Miller Park, Native Americans, society11 Comments
Fort Omaha Historic District by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of Fort Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Nestled between the Miller Park neighborhood and Sorenson Parkway is a 150+ year old institution that’s been a powerhouse, a prison, a balloon school and a neglected surplus, and many other things. This is a short history of Fort Omaha. Continue reading A History of Fort Omaha

16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, Americans, Economics, English, French, History of Nebraska, Native Americans, North Omaha, Politics, society, Spanish3 Comments
Native Americans aren't just Omaha history. NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of Native Americans in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Native Americans are not gone, and neither is their culture. This article is not intended to mythologize, romanticize, or historicize American Indians of any kind in any way. Instead, its a simple summary of what white people have found about the Native Americans who lived in the area we know today as North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Native Americans in North Omaha