Category: culture

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20th century Black leader Black organizations Black spaces and places culture historic preservation History of Nebraska Lost history Organizations Segregation Social clubs society

A History of Omaha’s “Black Mayor”

"Mayor of Bronzeville," Omaha, Nebraska
This 1947 ad from the Omaha Guide promotes the election of the "Mayor of Bronzeville" competition in North Omaha.

Since its founding in 1854, the City of Omaha has never had a publicly elected Black mayor. For a period in from the 1930s through the 1940s though, there was a Black mayor competition held. This is a history of that position.

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20th century 21st century 24th and Lake architecture Art Black businesspeople Black organizations Black spaces and places business Civil Rights Movement culture economics historic preservation History of Nebraska Lake Street Listed on National Register of Historic Places Segregation

A History of the Carver Savings and Loan Association

Carver Savings and Loan Association, 2416 Lake Street, 24th and Lake Historic District, North Omaha, Nebraska.
This is the Carver Savings and Loan Association building at 2416 Lake Street in the 24th and Lake Historic District.

This is a history of the Carver Bank in North Omaha, the first-ever Black-owned bank in Nebraska.

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20th century architecture Buildings Lost history Near North Side North 24th Street Segregation theaters Theaters Theaters

A History of the Ritz Theater in North Omaha

Ritz Theater, 2041 North 24th Street, North Omaha, Nebraska
This is the Ritz Theater in 1971, its last year of operation. It was a Black theater.

A theater opened to African Americans in a time when Omaha was deeply segregated, the Ritz Theater was an anomaly in the city. Here’s some of its history.

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20th century 21st century 24th and Lake Architects architecture Black spaces and places business civic infrastructure culture Great Plains Black History Museum historic preservation Lake Street Listed on National Register of Historic Places Near North Side Organizations Social services

A History of the Webster Telephone Exchange Building

Original North Side YMCA, 2213 Lake Street, North Omaha, Nebraska
The Webster Telephone Exchange Building at 2213 Lake Street was the home of the Urban North Side YMCA from 1945 to 1951, later becoming the Great Plains Black History Museum.

Some buildings are constructed, serve a purpose and then are demolished. Others seem to live several lifetimes by acting as a base for several enterprises and a hub for the community during different crises. Despite looking like its falling apart right now, one Lake Street building is such an institution, serving as an icon of change, sustainability and transformation in the community. This is is a history of the Webster Telephone Exchange Building.

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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 Intersection North 16th Street North 24th Street Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Railway Co. Organizations Politics Saratoga wealthy White flight

A Timeline of the History of Saratoga

Suburban Theatre, North Omaha, Nebraska
In the 1910s, the Suburban Theatre was located on North 24th Street just south of Ames Avenue.

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.

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19th century 20th century 21st century 24th and Lake African Americans business culture Jewish

A Tour of the 24th and Lake Historic District

Looking north from N. 24th and Grant, the "Edholm and Sherman" building on the right was south of the Blue Lion.

There is a LOT of history to see in North Omaha! With its uniquely diverse history of Jewish and African American culture set against a backdrop of historically distinct places, 24th and Lake Historic District is one of the jewels of Omaha’s history today. This is a tour of addresses in the district, along with […]

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19th century 20th century 21st century architecture Benson Buildings Children's entertainment historic preservation History of Nebraska poverty Social services society

A History of the Omaha Crèche

Omaha Crèche, 3713 North 52nd Street, North Omaha, Nebraska
This is a picture of the new Omaha Crèche building at 3713 North 52nd Street in 1949.

This is a history of the Omaha Crèche, which was located on North 52nd and Pratt Streets for a half century.