Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Parks, Politics, Poverty, RacismLeave a comment

A History of North Omaha’s Kellom Pool

November 20, 2015April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

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 … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Kellom Pool

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Black History, Economics, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Near North Side, North 24th Street4 Comments

A History of Black Hotels in Omaha

November 6, 2015January 20, 2025 Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of Black-owned and operated hotels for African American customers in Omaha, Nebraska by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com. Continue reading A History of Black Hotels in Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, ghosts, Government, Halloween, History of Nebraska, North 24th Street, North 30th Street1 Comment

A History of Ghosts at Fort Omaha

October 31, 2015October 28, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

Fort Omaha was opened in 1878. Home to thousands of US Army troops over a century of service, many people lived and died at the Fort. Today, some of the buildings that still survive on the campus include the General … Continue reading A History of Ghosts at Fort Omaha

19th century, 20th century, Black History, Culture, Economics, History of Nebraska, Industry, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Politics, Poverty1 Comment

History of the Omaha Colored Commercial Club

October 26, 2015April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

Omaha’s Colored Commercial Club was an business referral, employment agency, and community building org for almost a decade. This is it’s history… Continue reading History of the Omaha Colored Commercial Club

19th century, Historic houses, Kountze Place, North 24th Street, Streets, White flight13 Comments

A History of North Omaha’s Binney Street

October 26, 2015April 29, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

North Omaha’s historic Binney Street is packed with historical houses, churches and more from 140+ years ago in Nebraska history. This is a recounting of some of that past. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Binney Street

20th century, 21st century, Culture, Historic houses, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, North 24th Street, society4 Comments

A History of North Omaha’s McCreary Mansion

October 15, 2015April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

In the 1870s, businessman John McCreary built a fine Italianate mansion in present-day North Omaha. Here’s a history. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s McCreary Mansion

19th century, 20th century, Architecture, Culture, Economics, Historic houses, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 24th Street7 Comments

A History of the Redick Mansion in North Omaha

October 15, 2015April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Black History, Crime, Culture, Economics, Government, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Omaha, Politics, Poverty, Race riot, Racism, society, White flight4 Comments

A History of the Near North Side Neighborhood in North Omaha

October 13, 2015April 29, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

As far as I’m concerned, the history of Omaha’s Near North Side neighborhood is the richest in all of Omaha. It has been home to working class families, poor people, and the wealthy; northern Europeans, African Americans, and eastern Europeans; Lutherans and Catholics, Jews and Black Muslims; slums, family homes, and mansions; looked like a pioneer town, had country gentleman farms, been a suburb, and had slums; professional offices, warehouses, manufacturing plants, local storefronts, printing presses, training centers, supermarkets and pop-up shops; giant churches and synagogues, and tiny storefront temples and more. So much has happened here, and clearly its story is still being written… Continue reading A History of the Near North Side Neighborhood in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Culture, Economics, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 24th Street, North Omaha, Politics, Racism, society, White flight11 Comments

A History of North Omaha’s Jewish Community

October 11, 2015January 19, 2025 Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Jewish people in North Omaha were tied together with the establishment and growth of the community for a century… Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Jewish Community

20th century, 21st century, Culture, Economics, Expo Grounds, History of Nebraska, Industry, Kountze Place, North 24th Street, Parks, Politics, society5 Comments

A History of the 1899 Greater America Exposition in North Omaha

October 9, 2015October 9, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of the 1899 Greater America Exposition in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the 1899 Greater America Exposition in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Culture, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, North 24th Street, society1 Comment

A History of the Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary in North Omaha

October 5, 2015April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Presbyterians were one of the congregations that grew along with Omaha. Arriving soon after the city’s founders, the first Presbyterian church in Omaha was opened in 1856. Over the next 25 years, more than 100 Presbyterian churches were founded in towns and cities across Nebraska. Their buildings became institutions for the faithful, for their communities and for the culture of the state. One institution made leaders for these flocks for more than 50 years. Continue reading A History of the Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Benson, Black History, Carter Lake, Culture, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, North 24th Street10 Comments

A History of Theatres and Movie Theaters in North Omaha

September 9, 2015February 3, 2025 Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Black History, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Near North Side, North 24th Street, North Omaha4 Comments

History of Social Clubs and Social Halls in North Omaha

September 8, 2015October 30, 2025 Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of the social clubs in North Omaha from the 1860s through present times. Continue reading History of Social Clubs and Social Halls in North Omaha

20th century, Biographies, Black History, Crime, Houses, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Race riot, Racism13 Comments

A History of the June 1969 Riot in North Omaha

August 22, 2015April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

Civic Infrastructure, Economics, Historic houses, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Race riot, Racism, schools, White flight12 Comments

A History of the Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects

August 20, 2015April 23, 2024 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

20th century, 21st century, Black History, Crime, Culture, Florence, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, North 24th Street, North Omaha, Omaha, Omaha Claim Club, Politics, Racism, White flight17 Comments

A History of Redlining in Omaha

August 2, 2015March 24, 2025 Adam Fletcher Sasse

The history of North Omaha includes redlining starting during the 1920s, and being made illegal in the 1960s. This article explores that history, including the context in which it happened and some of the outcomes. Continue reading A History of Redlining in Omaha

20th century, Civic Infrastructure, Kountze Place, North 24th Street, Omaha, schools4 Comments

A History of Original Omaha University in North Omaha

August 2, 2015April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

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. Continue reading A History of Original Omaha University in North Omaha

Architecture, East Omaha, Florence, Fontenelle Boulevard, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, North 24th Street2 Comments

Architectural Styles in North Omaha

July 14, 2015October 9, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a summary of popular architectural styles in North Omaha. Continue reading Architectural Styles in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Black History, Crime, Culture, History of Nebraska, North 24th Street, Politics, Race riot, Racism, White flight11 Comments

A History of African American Politics in North Omaha

March 13, 2015December 18, 2025 Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of African American politics in Omaha beginning in the post-Civil War era, evolving through various struggles for rights and representation. Continue reading A History of African American Politics in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, Benson, Black History, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, East Omaha, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Omaha, Racism, Saratoga6 Comments

A History of Streetcars in North Omaha

March 12, 2015April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of streetcars in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of Streetcars in North Omaha

Historic houses, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street11 Comments

A History of North Omaha’s Wirt Street

February 24, 2015January 3, 2025 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

Black History, Carter Lake, East Omaha, Florence, Fontenelle Boulevard, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Saratoga, White flightLeave a comment

A History of North Omaha, Part 2: 1885-1945

February 13, 2015October 9, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

Between 1870 and the 1950s, A LOT happened in North Omaha. This is a summary of the people, events, organizations and more that made history… Continue reading A History of North Omaha, Part 2: 1885-1945

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Black History, Culture, Historic houses, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Miller Park, North 24th Street, Racism, schools, Streets, White flight44 Comments

A History of the Miller Park Neighborhood

February 13, 2015March 30, 2026 Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

Architecture, Black History, Guest author, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, North 24th Street, Saratoga, White flight3 Comments

A History of the Druid Hall in North Omaha by Karen Clopton

November 28, 2014April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

Architecture, Biographies, Black History, Guest author, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 24th Street3 Comments

A Biography of North Omaha’s ‘Cap’ Clarence Wigington by Linda Williams

October 30, 2014April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

20th century, Black History, History of Nebraska, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Race riot, White flight3 Comments

A Street of Dreams

October 30, 2014April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

In 1994, NET helped reveal some of this history through a powerful documentary called “A Street of Dreams.” This is that documentary. Continue reading A Street of Dreams

20th century, Black History, Culture, History of Nebraska, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Politics, Racism, White flightLeave a comment

A Time for Burning

October 3, 2014April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

One of the most powerful documentaries to ever be made in Omaha is called A Time For Burning. Nominated for an Academy Award for documentary filmmaking in 1966, the film highlights then-barber/future Nebraska legislator Ernie Chambers. A graduate of the Creighton University Law School, he was elected Senator to the Nebraska Legislature in 1970. By 2005 he had become the longest-serving state Senator in the history of Nebraska. This is a powerful clip from the film featuring Chambers talking with the minister of a Lutheran church who was trying to integrate his congregation. Learn more about the film. You Might … Continue reading A Time for Burning

Architecture, Black History, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Politics, Race riot, Racism, White flight55 Comments

A History of 24th Street in North Omaha

October 27, 2013February 4, 2025 Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

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 buildings6 Comments

A History of the North Omaha Riots

July 19, 2013October 9, 2024 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

Black History, Culture, History of Nebraska, Near North Side, North 24th StreetLeave a comment

A Video History of the Dreamland Ballroom in North Omaha

March 18, 2013April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

Here is a video by Waymaker Media with a short history of the Dreamland Ballroom on North 24th Street in North Omaha. Make sure you like the video and leave comments on YouTube! You Might Like… A History of the Jewell Building and Dreamland Ballroom A History of the 24th and Lake Historic District A History of the Carnation Ballroom in North Omaha A Short History of The Stage II Lounge A History of North Omaha’s Elks Hall and Iroquois Lodge 92 BONUS PICS! Continue reading A Video History of the Dreamland Ballroom in North Omaha

24th and Lake, Black businesses, Black leader, Cafes, Demolished buildings, diners, Food, Restaurants5 Comments

A History of North Omaha’s Fair Deal Cafe

November 8, 2012April 23, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

Soul food was served in mighty heaps at Omaha’s old “Black City Hall.” Learn about the legacy of the original Fair Deal Cafe… Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Fair Deal Cafe

19th century, 20th century, Culture, Economics, History of Nebraska, North 24th Street, Saratoga6 Comments

A History of the Omaha Driving Park in North Omaha

January 15, 2012October 22, 2024 Adam Fletcher Sasse

A century ago, there was a race track tucked away in Omaha’s memory. Starting as a rugged race track for fast horses and wagon races, it become a proper driving park, the county and state fairgrounds, and home to several … Continue reading A History of the Omaha Driving Park in North Omaha

NorthOmahaHistory.com

People, places and events from the history of North Omaha, Nebraska by Adam Fletcher Sasse

Category: North 24th Street