A History of the Beacon Theater
This is a history of the Beacon Theater, a significant cultural site in North Omaha that operated from 1927 to 1967. Continue reading A History of the Beacon Theater
This is a history of the Beacon Theater, a significant cultural site in North Omaha that operated from 1927 to 1967. Continue reading A History of the Beacon Theater
This is a history of LaRue’s Cafe and LaRue’s Scalp Treatment in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of La Rue’s in North Omaha
Today it looks like a bland industrial space along a decrepit street in a rundown part of Omaha. However, once this gigantic building was a foothold into the middle class for hundreds of workers; and again it was a warehouse to store parts for the homes of thousands across the community. Soon it will have a new future as a tribute to a community scion and African American icon for all times. This is a history of 4402 Florence Boulevard in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District of North Omaha. Continue reading A History of 4402 Florence Boulevard in North Omaha
The building at 4426 Florence Boulevard is located in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District. Built in 1926, it is a storefront and open space that has no basement. The City of Omaha Planning Department currently rates the building in poor condition. This is a history. Continue reading A History of 4426 Florence Boulevard in North Omaha
This is a history of one of Omaha’s oldest African American churches, Morning Star Baptist Church. Continue reading A History of Rising Star Baptist Church in North Omaha
This is a history of Shadda’s Drive-In, a restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska from 1955 to 1960. Continue reading A History of Shada’s Drive-In
Each of the small towns around North Omaha once had their own school district, and several of those school districts had high schools they graduated students from. The City of Florence, founded in 1854, was one of those small towns. … Continue reading A History of Florence High School
This is a history the Climmie, a rowhouse at 2514 N. 16th St. in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of The Climmie
This is a history of the popular Beal’s Grill, a longtime mainstay near Creighton University at N. 24th and California Streets. Continue reading History of Beal’s Grill
This is a history of Forbes Bakery in North Omaha from 1921 through 1938. Continue reading History of the Forbes Bakery, Ak-Sar-Ben Bakery, and Royal Bakery
This is a history of the Bedford Place neighborhood in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading History of the Bedford Place Neighborhood
The Benson Commercial Historic District has been home to several department stores. This is a history of the Omaha neighborhood’s stores. Continue reading A History of Department Stores in Benson
Department stores once dotted the area north of Dodge and east of North 72nd Street. This is a history of department stores in North Omaha. Continue reading History of Department Stores in North Omaha
Once located all over North Omaha, there are few bakeries left — but lots of memories! This is an account of some of the bakeries from the community’s history. Continue reading History of Bakeries in North Omaha
One of Omaha’s most distinct immigrant populations has nearly disappeared from the city’s identity. This is a history of Hungarians in Omaha. Continue reading History of Hungarians in North Omaha
A musician, educator and minister committed to Black power, Rev. Russel Taylor was a powerful leader in North Omaha. This is his story. Continue reading A Biography of Rev. Russel Taylor
Millions of bobby pins, pink hair curlers, and other products came flying out of the Tip Top Products Company factories in Omaha. This is a history of the company. Continue reading History of the Tip Top Products Company
A tornado and a fire couldn’t stop the Omaha Casket Company, which made boxes for the dead in North Omaha from 1892 to 1939. Continue reading History of the Omaha Casket Company
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
Charity, socializing, and fraternity drove the American Legion Theodore Roosevelt Post #30 in North Omaha. Discover what happened to them. Continue reading History of North Omaha’s American Legion Post #30
From 1951 to 1963, the 24th Street Dairy Queen was serve the Black community in the Near North Side. This is a history of the business. Continue reading History of the 24th Street Dairy Queen
Located in the original Near North Side neighborhood, one grade school at North 14th and Cass Street served immigrants, African Americans, adults, and others. Today the school is largely forgotten. Continue reading A History of Cass Street School
Opened in a re-used school building in 1917, North Omaha’s Minne Lusa School has a long history. Continue reading A History of Minne Lusa School
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. Continue reading A History of the North Freeway in Omaha
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 … Continue reading A History of Winter Quarters
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. Continue reading History of 2410 Lake Street
Omaha Fire Department station #6 was located at 914-16 North 24th Street. It was built in 1906 and demolished in the 1970s. Continue reading A History of the Omaha Fire Station #6
This is a history of the Carver Bank in North Omaha, the first-ever Black-owned bank in Nebraska. Continue reading History of the Carver Savings and Loan Association
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. Continue reading A History of the North Omaha School aka Izard School
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
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. Continue reading A History of the Ritz Theater
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. Continue reading A History of the Webster Telephone Exchange Building
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. Continue reading A History of Kellom School
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
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
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
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
This is a history of the Omaha Crèche, which was located on North 52nd and Pratt Streets for a half century. Continue reading A History of the Omaha Crèche
This is a history of the Old Plantation, a display at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in North Omaha in 1898. Continue reading A History of the Old Plantation in North Omaha
This is a biography of Paul B. Allen, and a history of Allen’s Showcase in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Allen’s Showcase in North Omaha
This is a biography of historian and North Omaha leader Bertha Calloway (1925-2017). She was a Civil Rights activist, museum founder, historian, author, student, educator, speaker, promoter, playwright, journalist, administrator, mentor, wife and mother. Continue reading A Biography of Bertha Calloway
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
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
The Plum Nelly area is a once secret neighborhood that’s become a lost neighborhood located in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Plum Nelly Area in North Omaha
In the course of a century, a lot of things can change in a neighborhood. The Near North Side of Omaha has had a lot of changes, with some buildings transitioning from vital to demolished with reckless abandon. This is … Continue reading A History of 1324 North 24th Street
This is a history of the only African American Lutheran church in Nebraska today, called Hope Lutheran Church. Continue reading A History of Hope Lutheran Church
This is a history of the Nite Hawkes Cafe, located at North 16th and Grand Avenue since 1942! Continue reading A History of the Nite Hawkes Cafe in East Omaha
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
“Daddy” Frank E. Goff was Omaha’s pioneer showman, and this is a biography of his life. Continue reading A Biography of Frank E. Goff
This is a history of the U.S. Brush Company factory once located in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the U.S. Brush Company
This is a history of restaurants in North Omaha throughout its history. Continue reading A History of Restaurants, Diners and Food Businesses in North Omaha
This is North Omaha Chronicles comic for 12-19-19 by Adam Fletcher Sasse. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Continue reading North Omaha Chronicles, 12-19-19
This is North Omaha Chronicles comic for 12-18-19 by Adam Fletcher Sasse. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Continue reading North Omaha Chronicles, 12-18-19
This is a history of the Creighton Working Girls Home and Chapel, which provided a paternalistic environment for newly arrived women in Omaha for several decades. Continue reading A History of the Creighton Working Girls Home
This is North Omaha Chronicles from 12-16-19 by Adam Fletcher Sasse. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Continue reading North Omaha Chronicles, 12-16-19
This is a collection of postcards of North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading Historic Postcards from North Omaha
This is a history of Creighton University, including notable people, places and events throughout its history. Continue reading A History of Creighton University
This is a history of the 140-year-old Campion House at Creighton University in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Campion House in North Omaha
This is a history of St. John’s Catholic Parish in North Omaha, Nebraska, including its K-12 school. Continue reading A History of St. John’s Catholic Parish
One building on the Creighton University campus is among the oldest and places a significant role in the history of field of astronomy. However, it is off limits to the public! Here is a history of the Creighton Observatory in … Continue reading A History of the Creighton Observatory in North Omaha
The oldest building at Creighton University has changed radically over the years. However, hints of its past show inside and outside, and wait to be discovered by history explorers! This is a history of the Creighton Hall in North Omaha. … Continue reading A History of Creighton Hall in North Omaha
This is a history of Creighton High School that was in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of Creighton High School in North Omaha
This is a history of the iconic Jewell Building in the 24th and Lake Historic District. It features notable people, organizations, businesses and events there, as well as the architecture and more. Continue reading A History of the Jewell Building and Dreamland Ballroom
This is a history of Jim Bell and Jerry Morris’s supper club called The Off Beat, located at 24th and Lake from 1952-1969. Continue reading A History of The Off Beat Club in North Omaha
When I grew up in the Miller Park neighborhood during the 1980s and 90s, there were only memories and rumors of what used to be. There were ghosts of busy shopping districts, a thriving school, beautiful churches and streetcars haunted … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Fort Street Grocery Store
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
This is a biography of Everett S. Dodds, and prolific architect who designed many buildings in North Omaha from 1914 through 1940. Continue reading A Biography of Architect Everett S. Dodds
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
This is a history of the North Star Theater, the Ames Theatre and the building standing today at N. 25th and Ames Avenue in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the North Star Theater aka the Ames Theatre
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
Omaha is a city of immigrants, and North Omaha is no exception. Along with its historic African American community and wealthy white settlers, the community has been home to Jews, Scandinavians, English and other Europeans. Among this plethora of diversity … Continue reading A History of Italians in North Omaha
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
This is a history of the third public housing projects built in North Omaha called the Hilltop Homes. Continue reading A History of the Hilltop Projects in North Omaha
This is a history of the former Pleasantview Public Housing Projects in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of the Pleasantview Projects in North Omaha
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
Omaha was de facto segregated for more than 75 years. Jim Crow affected employment, education, housing, religious institutions, and more throughout the city. It also meant that African Americans would routinely and frequently be denied healthcare throughout the city. This is a history of Black hospitals in Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of Segregated Hospitals and Segregated Healthcare in Omaha
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
This is a history of the building at 5901 N. 30th, on the northeast corner of 30th and Laurel. Continue reading A History of 5901 North 30th Street
This is a history of the Manufactures Building at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Continue reading A History of the Machinery and Electricity Building in North Omaha
This is a history of the Manufactures Building at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Continue reading A History of the Manufactures Building in North Omaha
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
This is a history of a longtime, influential and successful segregated congregation called St Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church
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
This is a history of East Omaha’s demolished Pershing School in the former District 61. Continue reading A History of Pershing School
Going back to 1886, the southwest corner of 24th and Lake has been vital to North Omaha! Its first Black-owned business didn’t happen until 1968 though. Find out more in this history of Duffy Drugs! Continue reading A History of Duffy Drugs
A grocery store at the end of the road for the forgetful became a bar, and now stands tall in Ponca Hills. Learn about the history of the Forgot Store. Continue reading A History of the Forgot Store
Mt. Moriah Baptist Church was founded in 1884, and has been a cornerstone Black church in North Omaha since then. This is a history of the church. Continue reading A History of Mount Moriah Baptist Church
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
Hillside Presbyterian Church was a Black congregation in North Omaha from 1920 to 1954. Continue reading A History of Hillside Presbyterian Church
Adam’s Note: This is a special exposè on a rarely-acknowledged but vitally important part of Omaha’s history. Written by local historian Ryan Roenfeld, I believe this history of Omaha’s Chinatown is necessary, vibrant and just a beginning, albeit a deep one! Share your thoughts in the comments section! Continue reading A History of Omaha’s Chinatown by Ryan Roenfeld
The Omaha Salvation Army Women’s Hospital was home to many babies in the city’s history. This is a history about the facility. Continue reading A History of the Salvation Army Hospital in North Omaha
This is a history of North Omaha’s Corby Theater, an unprotected gem that could be demolished anytime. Continue reading A History of the Corby Theater
This is a history of one of North Omaha’s most important historical landmarks, The Sherman apartments on North 16th Street. Continue reading A History of The Sherman Apartments
Drawing North Omaha by Adam Fletcher Sasse (CommonAction Publishing, 47 pgs, 2018). Continue reading Drawing North Omaha by Adam Fletcher Sasse
Lavish military maneuvers and parades, streetcar expansion and dirty deeds marked the early years of 30th and Fort. See what its become! Continue reading A History of the Intersection of North 30th and Fort Streets
This is a history of a house that had a huge antenna once located at 5504 Kansas Avenue in North Omaha Continue reading A History of 5504 Kansas Avenue
In the late 1900s, Omahans formed social clubs like the Prairie Park Club to enhance community ties. Established in 1909, it hosted numerous social events and activities. Learn what happened to it here. Continue reading A History of the Prairie Park Club
Robert Strehlow helped build the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Expo and several others, then the Strehlow Terrace apartments. Continue reading A Biography of North Omaha’s Robert Strehlow
The home at 2060 Florence Boulevard has a reputation as a mansion for the social elite; an apartment house; a brothel, a hotel and as apartments again. Here is a history of North Omaha’s Broadview Hotel. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Burkenroad House aka Broadview Hotel aka Trimble Castle
This is a history of the Ernie Chambers Court aka Strehlow Terrace Apartments in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of the Ernie Chambers Court aka Strehlow Terrace in North Omaha