Category: civic infrastructure

• A History of the North Omaha Radar Station

  

  During the 1940s and 1950s, Omaha was the location of several Cold War initiatives outwardly intended to keep the country safe from nuclear war, but ulteriorly designed to frighten and captivate a passive populace. With sparse housing around it but proximity to a major metropolitan area, a location at North 72nd and Highway 36 in […]

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  February 7, 2016

  20th century, architecture, civic infrastructure, government, History of Nebraska, Military, North 72nd Street

• A History of 16th and Locust Historic District in North Omaha

  

  The N. 16th and Locust Street intersection was a beehive of commercial activity for more than a century. The Locust overpass of the MoPac Railroad was a key. Learn more.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  December 23, 2015

  20th century, 21st century, civic infrastructure, East Omaha, historic preservation, Lost history, North 16th Street, Politics, Race riot, Saratoga, streets, White flight

• A History of East Omaha’s Florence Lake

  

  Along the wild timeline of the Missouri River, a little nest of water was created in East Omaha, Nebraska. When European settlers saw it, they called it Florence Lake. Here’s a short history of its appearance, some appreciation, and its disappearance.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  November 28, 2015

  19th century, 20th century, Carter Lake, civic infrastructure, East Omaha, Lost history

• A History of North Omaha’s Walnut Hill Reservoir

  

  Located immediately north of Mercer Park, the Walnut Hill Reservoir is bound by Hamilton Street and the Walnut Hill neighborhood on the west, North 38th Street on the east, Nicholas Street on the south, and Mercer Park Drive on the east. Walnut Hill is cut in half by the curvy Park Road, which extends from Mercer Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard. “Walnut Hill Reservoir” is chiseled into a concrete panel between the steps at North 38th Street.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  November 26, 2015

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, architecture, civic infrastructure, parks, Walnut Hill

• A History of North Omaha’s Kellom Pool

  

  The Near North Side neighborhood was packed with people for more than a century. People need places to hang out and cool off in Omaha’s hot summers, and in the late 1940s the City of Omaha Parks Department decided to build a swimming pool to serve the community. By this point, the Logan Fontenelle Housing […]

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  November 20, 2015

  civic infrastructure, culture, Near North Side, North 24th Street, parks, Politics, poverty, racism

• A History of Missing Cemeteries in North Omaha

  

  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.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  October 30, 2015

  18th century, 19th century, 20th century, Americans, cemetery, civic infrastructure, culture, Halloween, History of Nebraska, North 30th

• History of the River Drive in Omaha

  

  Imagine a smooth, easy drive on a Saturday afternoon in the fall all of it weaving along nineteen miles of the city’s waterfront. There are long, calm curves and tall, stately oaks lining the boulevard, with walkers and bikes moving along a nice sidewalk that goes that entire distance. At evening, you turn to go […]

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  October 5, 2015

  19th century, 20th century, Carter Lake, civic infrastructure, culture, East Omaha, Florence, government, parks, society, streets

• A History of North Omaha’s Adams Park

  

  This is a history of Adams Park in North Omaha, Nebraska

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  September 20, 2015

  20th century, Benson, civic infrastructure, culture, historic preservation, parks, White flight

• A History of North Omaha’s Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects

  

  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.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  August 20, 2015

  civic infrastructure, economics, Historic houses, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Race riot, racism, schools, White flight

• A History of Original Omaha University in North Omaha

  

  Along the tree-lined streets and fine middle and upper class homes of Kountze Place in North Omaha, the staff of Omaha’s Presbyterian Theological Seminary decided in the early 20th century to start a new university. For 30 years, the neighborhood was home to the eventual University of Nebraska at Omaha. This is a short history of that time, starting from the beginning.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  August 2, 2015

  20th century, civic infrastructure, Kountze Place, North 24th Street, Omaha, schools

• A History of Streetcars in North Omaha

  

  This is a history of streetcars in North Omaha, Nebraska.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  March 12, 2015

  19th century, 20th century, African Americans, Benson, civic infrastructure, culture, East Omaha, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Omaha, racism, Saratoga

• A History of the Fort Street Special School for Incorrigible Boys in North Omaha

  

  Just like school districts everywhere, Omaha Public Schools has had a challenge serving disengaged students ever since students were mandated to go to school by compulsory school law. In Nebraska, that year was 1887. After a few decades, they had an answer to the challenge these students posed. This is a history of the Fort Street Special School for Incorrigible Boys.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  February 22, 2015

  20th century, civic infrastructure, Miller Park, North Omaha, schools

• A History of 24th Street in North 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.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  October 27, 2013

  African Americans, architecture, civic infrastructure, culture, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Politics, Race riot, racism, White flight

• History of Fontenelle Park in North Omaha

  

  A history of the Fontenelle Park in North Omaha, Nebraska by Adam Fletcher Sasse. Includes baseball, parks and recreation, fireworks and more!

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  October 14, 2013

  20th century, Benson, civic infrastructure, culture, Fontenelle, historic preservation, parks, White flight

• A History of Carter Lake

  

  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.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  September 28, 2013

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Ames Ave, Belt Line Railway, business, Carter Lake, civic infrastructure, Demolished buildings, East Omaha, geography, government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Missouri River, nightlife, Politics, transportation, water

• A History of the Florence Boulevard in North Omaha

  Florence Boulevard in North Omaha has a historic treasure trove packed with homes, businesses, churches and more.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  September 23, 2013

  architecture, civic infrastructure, culture, Florence, historic preservation, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, streets, White flight

• A History of the Florence Water Works and Minne Lusa Station 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.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  September 22, 2013

  architecture, civic infrastructure, Florence, History of Nebraska, Minne Lusa

• A History of Schools in North Omaha

  

  If walls could talk, North Omaha’s schools would be much noisier, much more colorful, and much more complicated than anyone wants to hear. For more than 150 years, schools throughout the community have served students of all ages. With a deep history including segregation and school violence, its can be hard to remember all the positive people and events that emerged in the community’s schools. Following is my ever-growing history of the old schools in North Omaha.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  September 22, 2013

  African Americans, Benson, Carter Lake, civic infrastructure, East Omaha, Florence, Fontenelle, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, Omaha, racism, Saratoga, schools, White flight

• A History of the North Omaha Riots

  

  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.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  July 19, 2013

  20th century, African Americans, business, civic infrastructure, crime, Demolished buildings, economics, government, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, North 30th, North Omaha, Politics, poverty, Race riot, racism, society, White flight

• History of 16th Street in North Omaha

  

  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.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  November 30, 2012

  architecture, civic infrastructure, culture, East Omaha, Historic houses, History of Nebraska, industry, Kountze Place, Near North Side, Saratoga, streets, White flight

• A History of North Omaha’s Prospect Hill Cemetery

  

  There are places in Omaha where ghosts, legends and history come alive. With mysterious burial sites, whispy hauntings and grand memorial trees, the pioneer graveyard called Prospect Hill Cemetery may be the most haunted of all. Read on to learn more…

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  December 30, 2010

  18th century, 19th century, 20th century, cemetery, civic infrastructure, ghosts, Halloween, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Prospect Hill, society