The J. J. Brown Mansion belonged to one of Omaha’s early industrialists, and became one of Omaha’s first hospitals. Discover it’s story… Continue reading A History of the J. J. Brown Mansion in North Omaha
The most famous mansion built in North Omaha is probably the Mayne Mansion, also known as the Redick Mansion. Clifton E. Mayne was a pioneer real estate investor and salesman in the city. In the 1870s, a farmer built a little house along Saunders Street leading north out of Omaha. He sold ten acres and his little farmhouse to Mayne in 1885. Continue reading A History of the Redick Mansion in North Omaha
While it has absolutely no active movie theaters today, the North Omaha community has been home to at least 20 (!) movie theaters over the last century. This is a short history of those theaters. Its really incomplete, as information has been hard for me to find. Continue reading A History of Theatres and Movie Theaters in North Omaha
While African Americans have known about police racism for more than a century, white people across the US are beginning to acknowledge the effects of legalized harassment, white privilege, systematic discrimination, the school-to-prison pipeline and other forms of white supremacy that constantly plunder communities and the entire nation of its potential, power and purpose. With a vibrant, vital, and obvious story, Vivian Strong must be remembered today. Continue reading A History of the June 1969 Riot in North Omaha
Once upon a time, there was a massive public housing project located at the intersection of North 24th and Paul Streets in the Near North Side neighborhood. Originally named the “Northside Village Public Housing Project,” the name was officially changed in honor of the famous Omaha tribe leader Logan Fontenelle. Continue reading A History of the Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects
With a history extending to the 1840s, North Omaha is bound to have the oldest houses in Omaha today. Learn more about them here… Continue reading The Oldest House in North Omaha
This is a summary of popular architectural styles in North Omaha. Continue reading Architectural Styles in North Omaha
Once upon a time, North Omaha was littered with large mansions and estates. This article summarizes some of them. Continue reading A History of Mansions and Estates in North Omaha
Hidden deep in the heart of North Omaha is a jewel of a street, filled with abundant American foursquare houses, long yards and hints of its glory 100 years ago. This section of Wirt street, from north 16th to north 24th streets, was once home to some of the predominant names in the beautiful Kountze Place development. It was also home to more than simple Foursquare style homes. In addition to the stout middle class houses, there were some exquisite examples of high style in Omaha history. This article highlights those beauties, which suggest a future for the Wirt Street historic district. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Wirt Street
The place where I grew up, Omaha’s Miller Park neighborhood, rushes through my imagination a lot. I want to see it acknowledged, appreciated and accentuated every day. This article is my acknowledgment of the past and contribution to the future. Continue reading A History of the Miller Park Neighborhood
A guest article by Karen Clopton explores the history of the Prince Hall Masons and their century-old Druid Hall in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of the Druid Hall in North Omaha by Karen Clopton
This is a guest post by Linda Williams, an architecture student in Omaha. Continue reading A Biography of North Omaha’s ‘Cap’ Clarence Wigington by Linda Williams
One of the places that sparks my imagination greatly is when my varying interests overlap, and that’s why today’s post on BANTU particularly excites me. From the pioneering Civil Rights efforts of Dr. Matthew Ricketts In the 1910s and 1920s, … Continue reading A History of the Black Association for Nationalism Through Unity (BANTU) in Omaha
North 24th Street in North Omaha, Nebraska, used to be a regular street of dreams. Home to immigrants and entrepreneurs, it hosted generations of families that made it. Then in the 1960s, several riots struck at the heart of the community. It hasn’t recovered in the 50 years since. Continue reading A History of 24th Street in North Omaha
Everything begins somewhere. For Omaha’s Carter Lake, it was as a fun-filled day in the water for all kinds of people. Following is the early history of the place. It includes a waterfront boardwalk, hotels, a resort, clubs and an amusement park. Continue reading A History of Carter Lake
Florence Boulevard in North Omaha has a historic treasure trove packed with homes, businesses, churches and more. Continue reading A History of the Florence Boulevard in North Omaha
The Florence Water Works was once home to one of the most magnificent buildings in the entire city of Omaha. After being nearly-obliterated in 1970, MUD has rebuilt the structure to honor its 130-year history, and today the water there keeps wetting the whistle. This is a history of the Florence Water Works and Minne Lusa Pumping Station. Continue reading A History of the Florence Water Works and Minne Lusa Station in North Omaha
Because of when the riots happened and what they did, there are scars on North O that that haven’t healed almost 50 years later. Here’s a history of what happened. Continue reading A History of the North Omaha Riots
Long before becoming a decrepit pipeline for the neglect of old North Omaha, North 16th Street had a history almost as long as the city itself. Continue reading History of 16th Street in North Omaha
Following is a list of places I would visit on a long, winding North Omaha history tour. If you have anything you would like me to write about, add, or otherwise know, please share here. I LOVE NORTH O! These are listed by neighborhood, starting at Dodge Street and heading northwards. Note that all links go to articles I created, either on Wikipedia or on this blog. Continue reading Historical Tour of North Omaha