Category: Civic Infrastructure

These are articles related to the civic infrastructure of North Omaha, including streets, schools, parks, and more.

20th century, Biographies, Black businesses, Demolished buildings, Harlem Renaissance, Hotels, Industry, Manufacturing, North 16th Street, North Downtown, OwnershipLeave a comment
This was an ad for the Kaffir Chemical Company at 817 North 16th St. in Omaha.

A History of the Kaffir Chemical Laboratories in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Kaffir Chemical Laboratories was founded in 1920 by African American entrepreneurs in North Omaha. Led by Madree Penn, it became a significant Black-owned business producing various products until its decline by 1925, representing a powerful chapter in Omaha’s Black business history. Continue reading A History of the Kaffir Chemical Laboratories in North Omaha

#PreserveThisPlace, 20th century, 24th and Lake, Black businesses, Black businesspeople, Black hotels, Historic houses, Houses, Near North Side, Segregation, Willis AvenueLeave a comment
This is a history of the Ashby Tourist Home at 2228 Willis Avenue in North Omaha, Nebraska, written by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Ashby Tourist Home

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the Ashby Tourist Home at 2228 Willis Avenue in North Omaha. It was crucial for Black travelers in the city, offering them hospitality amid widespread racism. Its significance lies in fostering community and resilience during the Jim Crow era in Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Ashby Tourist Home

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Belvedere, business, Civic Infrastructure, Druid Hill, Economics, Environment, Florence, Florence Field, Fort Omaha, Gifford Park, Long School, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Monmouth Park, North 30th Street, North Omaha, Ponca Hills, Streets2 Comments
These were rowhouses on North 30th Street in North Omaha. Pic courtesy of Joe Kinney.

A History of North 30th Street

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of N. 30th Street in North Omaha, extending from Dodge Street into the Ponca Hills, from 1854 to the present day. Continue reading A History of North 30th Street

20th century, 21st century, Black History, Buildings, business, Civic Infrastructure, Crime, Economics, Government, Historic districts, historic preservation, Lost history, Neighborhoods, Politics, Poverty, Racism, real estate, schools, Segregation, society, Streets, Wealth, White flight, White people, Wrecked buildings1 Comment
This is "A History of Gentrification in North Omaha" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of Gentrification in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

From the 1910s through today, there have been various agendas, plans and schemes focused on fixing up North Omaha. This is a history of gentrification in the community. Continue reading A History of Gentrification in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Black businesses, Black culture, Black History, Black organizations, Black people, Black spaces and places, Civic Infrastructure, Creighton University, Culture, Economics, Environment, Government, Lost history, lynching, Omaha Police Department, Ownership, Politics, Racism, Redlining, Rioting, Segregation, society, WealthLeave a comment
This is "A History of White Supremacy in Omaha" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of White Supremacy in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This article examines Omaha’s “doctrine of white supremacy” as a deliberate, engineered system rather than random prejudice. From 1850s enslavement to modern redlining and carceral pipelines, the city’s geography and institutions were built to extract Black wealth and agency, ensuring white success through a durable, structural architecture of exclusion. Continue reading A History of White Supremacy in Omaha

20th century, Activism, Black activists, Black History, Black leader, Civic Infrastructure, events, Integration, Scandinavians, Segregation, Students, YouthLeave a comment
The Omaha Bus Boycott was led by the DePorres Club from 1953 to 1954, in Omaha, Nebraska.

A History of the Omaha Bus Boycott

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Omaha Bus Boycott from 1952 to 1954 was a crucial yet overlooked Civil Rights movement. It successfully challenged employment discrimination in public transit, inspiring a collective economic action that transformed labor dynamics in Nebraska and shaped future activism. Continue reading A History of the Omaha Bus Boycott

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Activism, Civic Infrastructure, Environment, Geography, Government, Industry, Missouri River, Ownership, Parks, Politics, Poverty, Racism, Redlining, Segregation, Water, weather, White flight, White peopleLeave a comment
This is "A History of the Climate Crisis and Environmental Racism in North Omaha" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Climate Crisis and Environmental Racism in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

North Omaha has suffered from deliberate neglect and environmental racism for over a century, leading to severe health disparities among its residents. Historical policies prioritized industrial growth over community wellbeing, resulting in toxic environments, high infant mortality rates, and persistent pollution. Recent efforts focus on addressing these inequities and promoting environmental justice. Continue reading A History of the Climate Crisis and Environmental Racism in North Omaha