Category: North 16th Street

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, 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

20th century, Ames Ave, Ames Avenue, Architecture, Culture, Cuming Street, Intersections, North 16th Street, North 30th Street, Restaurants, Wrecked buildings, Youth15 Comments

A History of Drive-Ins in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

In the 1950s, a culture of cruising muscle cars, jeans and white t-shirts, pony tails and carhops on roller skates took over America. As the home to a lot of Omaha’s suburban dreamscape, North Omaha had several drive-in restaurants starting in that decade and spreading into the 1960s. This is a history of drive-ins in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Drive-Ins in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Black people, business, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Economics, Government, Immigrants, Jefferson Square, Lost history, Native Americans, North 16th Street, North Downtown, Parks, Poverty, society, White people2 Comments
This is part of the Jefferson Square looking towards North 16th and Cass Streets in Omaha, Nebrsaka, in 1950. Courtesy of the Durham Museum.

A History of Jefferson Square Park

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of the Jefferson Square Park, the first park and the site of the first school in Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of Jefferson Square Park

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Belt Line, Belt Line Railway, Buildings, business, Civic Infrastructure, Creighton University, Crime, Culture, Demolished buildings, Downtown, Government, Highways, Historic districts, History of Nebraska, Immigrants, Jefferson Square, Lost history, Native Americans, Neighborhoods, North 16th Street, North Downtown, Omaha Police Department, Organizations, Pioneer era, Politics, Poverty, schools, White flight, White people, Wrecked buildings2 Comments
North Downtown Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Jefferson Square Neighborhood

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of Omaha’s first public park; first public school; it’s Native American neighborhood; and it’s “Hobo Park,” all wrapped up in one. This is a history of Jefferson Square in Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of the Jefferson Square Neighborhood

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, 24th and Lake, Activism, Black History, Black people, Black politicians, Black spaces and places, business, Civil Rights Movement, Culture, Economics, Europeans, General history, Historic districts, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Immigrants, Industry, Jewish, Lake Street, Legislators, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Politics, Poverty, Race riot, Racism, Religion, Segregation, Wealth, White flight, White peopleLeave a comment
Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld speech 1968

A History of Relations between Jews and African Americans in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of relations between Black people and Jews in Omaha, Nebraska. It details instances, occasions, places and spaces where the Jewish community interacted with the Black community in the city. Continue reading A History of Relations between Jews and African Americans in Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, 24th and Lake, Bakery, business, Demolished buildings, Economics, Ethnicities & Races, Europeans, historic preservation, Immigrants, Jewish, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, North 30th Street, North Omaha, Wrecked buildings20 Comments
History of Bakeries in North Omaha by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

History of Bakeries in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Ames Avenue, Architecture, Belt Line, Buildings, business, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Economics, Expo Grounds, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Houses, Industry, Intersections, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Railway Co., Organizations, Politics, Saratoga, Wealth, White flightLeave a comment
Suburban Theatre, North Omaha, Nebraska

A Timeline of the History of Saratoga

Adam F.C. Fletcher

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

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Buildings, Civic Infrastructure, Ethnicities & Races, Historic houses, Lost history, Neighborhoods, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, North 30th Street, Public housing, Segregation, Wrecked buildings2 Comments
"A History of Public Housing in North Omaha" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of Public Housing in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

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

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, Architects, Architecture, Florence Boulevard, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Lost history, North 16th Street, Parks, Segregation, Wrecked buildings3 Comments

A History of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Continue reading A History of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Biographies, Buildings, business, Crime, Culture, Economics, Ethnicities & Races, Food, historic preservation, Lost history, Neighborhoods, North 16th Street, Organizations, Politics, Poverty, Racism, Religion, Restaurants, Ryan Roenfeld, Segregation, society, storytelling, Wrecked buildings2 Comments
This is a map showing Omaha's Chinatown, which was "4 blocks surrounding 12th and Dodge." There are other notable sites included too.

A History of Omaha’s Chinatown by Ryan Roenfeld

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

19th century, 20th century, Culture, historic preservation, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, Organizations, Parks, Ryan Roenfeld, Sports, Wrecked buildings1 Comment
This is an 1895 ad for the Charles Street Bicycle Park.

A History of the Charles Street Bicycle Park in North Omaha by Ryan Roenfeld

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Tucked away in the Near North Side was the Charles Bicycle Track. This is its history as told by Ryan Roenfeld. Continue reading A History of the Charles Street Bicycle Park in North Omaha by Ryan Roenfeld

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Belt Line Railway, Carter Lake, Civic Infrastructure, East Omaha, Expo Grounds, Geography, Government, History of Nebraska, Industry, Lost history, Missouri River, Neighborhoods, North 16th Street, Pioneer era, Poverty, Railroads, real estate, Saratoga, Settlements1 Comment
1857 Nebraska Territory map showing Saratoga

A History of Sulphur Springs, Nebraska

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Sulphur Springs was a settlement in the Nebraska Territory from 1854 to 1877. This article shares some of its history. Continue reading A History of Sulphur Springs, Nebraska

19th century, 20th century, Architecture, Buildings, Culture, Economics, Healthcare, Hospitals, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Poverty, Public health, society, Wrecked buildings39 Comments
Booth Memorial Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Salvation Army Hospital in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

19th century, 20th century, Biographies, Civic Infrastructure, Farming, Geography, Government, Houses, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, Omaha Claim Club, Pioneer era, Politics2 Comments
This is a biography of George Smith (1826-1901) of 2202 N. 16th Street in North Omaha, Nebraska.

A Biography of Omaha’s “Doc” George Smith

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The biography of Doc George Smith (1826-1901) is the story of a longtime civil servant and respected mentor among pioneer Omahans. Continue reading A Biography of Omaha’s “Doc” George Smith

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architects, Architecture, Black History, Buildings, Economics, Expo Grounds, Historic houses, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, Racism, Wealth12 Comments
The Sherman, 2501 N. 16th St., North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of The Sherman Apartments

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

18th century, 19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, business, Civic Infrastructure, Cuming Street, Economics, Ethnicities & Races, Food, History of Nebraska, Industry, Lost history, Military, Missouri River, Near North Side, Neighborhoods, North 16th Street, Omaha Claim Club, Pioneer era, Politics, Railroads, real estate, Segregation, society, Transportation, Wrecked buildings7 Comments
North Downtown Omaha, Nebraska

History of Omaha’s North Downtown

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of Omaha’s North Downtown neighborhood. Continue reading History of Omaha’s North Downtown

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Civic Infrastructure, Economics, Government, Kountze Place, Lost history, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Parks, real estate5 Comments

A History of the Demolition of the Trans-Mississippi Expo

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the demolition of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition of 1898 and the Greater America Exposition of 1899. Continue reading A History of the Demolition of the Trans-Mississippi Expo

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, business, Carter Lake, Culture, East Omaha, Economics, Food, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Missouri River, Neighborhoods, North 16th Street, Poverty, society, Water15 Comments
Truck farm, East Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Truck Farms in East Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

One part of Omaha has stayed in touch with its agricultural roots for more than a century. This is a history of small family farms and the changing landscape in East Omaha. Continue reading A History of Truck Farms in East Omaha

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Biographies, Buildings, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Expo Grounds, General history, North 16th Street, North Omaha, societyLeave a comment
Robert C. Strehlow (1862 to 1952), North Omaha, Nebraska

A Biography of North Omaha’s Robert Strehlow

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

19th century, 20th century, Culture, East Omaha, Houses, North 16th Street, society1 Comment
These images are from Squatter's Row in the 1930s.

A History of Squatter’s Row in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

One area that benefited a lot from Nebraska’s pro-squatting law was a little strip in North Omaha, from North 11th Street on the east to North 13th on the west; Nicholas Street on the south to Locust on the north. This area was home to the North Omaha rail yards, but the railroads didn’t have without any concern for the squatters were starting putting up their shacks there as early as the 1860s. Continue reading A History of Squatter’s Row in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Architects, Architecture, Economics, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Near North Side, North 16th Street, Official Omaha Landmark, Wealth, White flight4 Comments
Strehlow Terrace Apartments, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Ernie Chambers Court aka Strehlow Terrace in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

20th century, 21st century, Civic Infrastructure, East Omaha, historic preservation, Lost history, North 16th Street, Politics, Race riot, Saratoga, Streets, White flight17 Comments
16th and Locust Historic District, North Omaha, Nebraska

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

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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. Continue reading A History of 16th and Locust Historic District in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, business, Demolished buildings, Economics, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, society8 Comments
A History of North Omaha's Storz Brewery by Adam Fletcher for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of North Omaha’s Storz Brewery

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Before Gottlieb Storz, a few other entrepreneurs tried their hand at brewing beer in North Omaha. Afterwards though, Storz dominated. For more than 75 years, his family ran Omaha’s beer industry, and even though the brewery closed in the 1970s, … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Storz Brewery

19th century, Crime, ghosts, Government, Halloween, History of Nebraska, North 16th Street, Omaha Claim Club1 Comment
The Execution of Cyrus Tator in North Omaha Nebraska in 1863

A History of the Execution of Cyrus Tator in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Since before the Nebraska Territory was founded in 1854, executions including lynchings, shootings and hangings happened in Omaha. The Omaha Claim Club, established by the city’s founders, used intimidation, threats, and drownings in order to enforce their homesteading over anyone … Continue reading A History of the Execution of Cyrus Tator in North Omaha

Civic Infrastructure, Economics, Historic houses, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Race riot, Racism, schools, White flight12 Comments
This is a 1938 pic of a family outside of their unit in the Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects of North Omaha. Pic courtesy of the Library of Congress.

A History of the Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

Historic houses, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street11 Comments
"February 23, 2015. Dearest Cornice, I have finished taking the exquisite Wirt Street Home Tour in North Omaha. After visiting a dozen beautiful homes, I'm convinced this neighborhood is a place where dreams can come true! Come visit soon! Your Cousin June."

A History of North Omaha’s Wirt Street

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

20th century, Black History, business, Civic Infrastructure, Crime, Economics, Government, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, North 30th Street, North Omaha, Politics, Poverty, Race riot, Racism, society, White flight, Wrecked buildings7 Comments
On June 27, 1969, these kids were pictured going through one of the burned out businesses along North 24th Street after the killing of Vivian Strong.

A History of the North Omaha Riots

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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