These are articles related to the culture of North Omaha.
This is a history of the Manufactures Building at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Continue reading A History of the Machinery and Electricity Building in North Omaha
This is a history of the Circus Grounds at N. 20th and Paul Streets in North Omaha from the 1870s through the 1930s. Continue reading A History of the Circus Grounds in North Omaha
This is a history of the Manufactures Building at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Continue reading A History of the Manufactures Building in North Omaha
This is a history of the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Continue reading A History of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition
Of all the buildings made for the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, the Girls and Boys Building had one of the most joyful, loyal and enthusiastic receptions. Here is a short history of the building. Fundraising for Construction “It was … Continue reading A History of the Girls and Boys Building in North Omaha
This is a history of a longtime, influential and successful segregated congregation called St Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church
The vivid life of Lucy Gamble (1875-1958) included teaching, activism, church and much more. This is a bio! Continue reading A Biography of Lucinda Williams nee Lucy Gamble
This is a history of the Administrative Building, aka the Administration Arch, at the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition held in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Administration Arch in North Omaha
Going back to 1886, the southwest corner of 24th and Lake has been vital to North Omaha! Its first Black-owned business didn’t happen until 1968 though. Find out more in this history of Duffy Drugs! Continue reading A History of Duffy Drugs
This is a history of Emancipation Day in Omaha, which is a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. Continue reading A History of Emancipation Day and Juneteenth in Omaha
A grocery store at the end of the road for the forgetful became a bar, and now stands tall in Ponca Hills. Learn about the history of the Forgot Store. Continue reading A History of the Forgot Store
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
This is a bio of Silas Robbins, the first African American lawyer in Omaha. Continue reading A Biography of Silas Robbins
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
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
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
This is a history of North Omaha’s Corby Theater, an unprotected gem that could be demolished anytime. Continue reading A History of the Corby Theater
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
This is Framed Chapter 24 by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “Framed” Chapter 24 by Michael Richardson
This is Chapter 24 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “Framed” Chapter 23 by Michael Richardson
Summer fun turned into a permanent development in the city of Carter Lake. Continue reading A History of the Carter Lake Club
In the late 1900s, Omahans formed social clubs like the Prairie Park Club to enhance community ties. Established in 1909, it hosted numerous social events and activities. Learn what happened to it here. Continue reading A History of the Prairie Park Club
The Omaha Rod and Gun Club stepped up to foster fun and good times in turn-of-the-century Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Omaha Rod and Gun Club
Omaha had a roller coaster, boardwalks and soft summer breezes relaxing the middle class masses. This place was called Courtland Beach. Continue reading A History of Omaha’s Courtland Beach
The Midwest Athletic Club, or MAC, was formed in 1946 in North Omaha by and for the African American community. Continue reading A History of the Midwest Athletic Club
This is a tour of various sites associated with the Civil Rights movement in Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A Tour of the Omaha Civil Rights Movement
This is an overview of the life of Mildred Brown, influential publisher of the Omaha Star and businesswoman, maven and community hero. Continue reading A Biography of Mildred Brown by Jody Lovallo
The Blue Lion is one of North O’s most iconic buildings, holding business, services and opportunities for a century! Continue reading A History of the Blue Lion Center
This is a list of African American firsts in Omaha. Continue reading A History of African American Firsts in Omaha
Many of Kountze Place’s finest homes are gone now, demolished by indifferent landowners and city planners who are blind to the value of the neighborhood. One of these homes stood at 2214 Wirt Street, and it was clearly one of … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s McLain Mansion
The Near North Side YMCA was a staple of the community for more than 50 years. Here’s the story… Continue reading A History of the Near North YMCA in North Omaha
There were and are many segregated schools in Omaha, and this is an account of their history. Continue reading A History of Segregated Schools in Omaha, Nebraska
This is a history of an iconic North Omaha restaurant that comedian Redd Foxx frequented when in town. Continue reading A History of Skeet’s in North Omaha
This is a history of the Charles B. Washington North Branch of the Omaha Public Library. Continue reading A History of the Public Library in North Omaha
This is a history of King Solomon’s Mines, a nightclub open at 2425 Ames Avenue in North Omaha from 1970-1972. Continue reading A History of King Solomon’s Mines in North Omaha
In Chapter 18 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson, the story continues unfolding. Read this original true story thriller from North Omaha today! Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 18 by Michael Richardson
This is a story of how Cirino and Giovanna Caniglia opened a bakery in Omaha in 1920, eventually evolving into Mr. C’s, an Italian steakhouse known for pizza and community, closing after 50 years in 2007. Continue reading A History of Mr. C’s Restaurant in North Omaha
Monmouth Park School was open for 80 years, leaving indelible marks on the soul of North Omaha forever. Continue reading A History of Monmouth Park Elementary School
This is chapter 17 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. It introduces the Congressional action against the Omaha Two, and more. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 17 by Michael Richardson
This is FRAMED Chapter 16 by Michael Richardson. In this installment, arrests are made and fingers are pointed – again. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 16 by Michael Richardson
This is Chapter 15 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson, covering the day Ed Poindexter was arrested. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 15 by Michael Richardson
Presented in Chapter 14 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson is a smoking gun! Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 14 by Michael Richardson
In Michael Richardson’s book FRAMED, Chapter 13 exposes detail galore. This chapter shows how! Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 13 by Michael Richardson
This is Chapter 12 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. In it, the author explores the role of Duane Peak and the FBI in the resulting coverup. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 12 by Michael Richardson
FRAMED, Chapter 11 was written by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 11 by Michael Richardson
“Angry Policemen Seek Deadly House Bomber,” screamed the Omaha World-Herald. 25 people in North Omaha were arrested. Here’s the actual list of suspects compiled by the Omaha Police Department. Discover what happened on the day patrolman Larry Minard, Sr. was killed. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 10 by Michael Richardson
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
This is the history of a sod house in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of a Sod House in North Omaha
Adam’s Note: This is Chapter 9 in the series on NorthOmahaHistory.com called Framed: J. Edgar Hoover, COINTELPRO and the Omaha Two Story. It was written by Michael Richardson. Learn more here. “I will never ever forgive the Black Panther Party for … Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 9 by Michael Richardson
This is FRAMED Chapter 8 by Michael Richardson, exposing the history of the FBI framing of the Omaha Two. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 8 by Michael Richardson
Soul food, community building and culture held sway for 35+ years at Carter’s Cafe. This article includes a biography of Lucy Carter (1901-1983). Continue reading A History of Carter’s Cafe
This is Chapter 7 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson, detailing the blatant framing of Mondo we Langa and Ed Pointdexter in the years before 1971. Continue reading “FRAMED”: Chapter 7 by Michael Richardson
Chapter 6 of FRAMED! by Michael Richardson includes suspense, intrigue and conspiracy… Continue reading “FRAMED!” Chapter 6 by Michael Richardson
This is Chapter 5 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 5 by Michael Richardson
The fourth chapter of FRAMED by Michael Richardson continues detailing the FBI cover-up of Black Panthers in Omaha. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 4 by Michael Richardson
Chapter 3 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson introduces Mondo we Langa, formerly David Rice. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 3 by Michael Richardson
Built around 1905, like many historical commercial buildings in North Omaha, 4104 North 24th Street has had several lives since it was built. Most of it is focused on the iconic Tic Toc Diner. Here’s a low-down of the history … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Tic Toc Diner
This is Framed, Chapter 2 by Michael Richardson. Continue reading FRAMED: Chapter 2 by Michael Richardson
This is Framed, Chapter 1 by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “Framed” Chapter 1 by Michael Richardson
The Stage II Lounge offers a lively grown-up place to relax and socialize. Here’s a short history of this North Omaha institution. Continue reading History of The Stage II Lounge
For almost a century, bombings plagued Omaha, Nebraska. This is a summary of what happened. Continue reading A History of Bombings in Omaha
The Omaha history mystery of the lost monument is unravelled by guest author Michele Wyman. Continue reading The Lost Monument by Michele Wyman
Examining the rise and fall of North Omaha requires a long and complicated journey through politics, culture, economics and more. One of the important early anchors of the community demonstrated the ability of one organization to steer things astray. Opening … Continue reading A History of Ak-Sar-Ben in North Omaha
This is a book review of the autobiography of North Omaha’s Preston Love. Continue reading NORTH O BOOK REVIEW: “A Thousand Honey Creeks Later: A Life in Music from Basie to Motown” by Preston Love, Sr.
North Omaha’s Saint Benedict Catholic Church has been a bastion of hope for the Near North Side for almost a century. Here’s their story. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Parish
Malcolm X Memorial Park sits in the heart of North Omaha’s Kountze Place. Discover why you don’t hear about it anymore. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Kountze Park, Once Called Malcolm X Park
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
Its an understatement to say that railroads helped build North Omaha; they were absolutely vital. Here’s a summary of their history. Continue reading A History of Railroads in North Omaha
This is a history of the buildings at North 24th and Fort Streets in the Miller Park neighborhood. Continue reading A History of the Intersection of North 24th and Fort Streets
The North Omaha Gene Eppley Boys’ Club was the cradle of youth engagement for a generation of young men. This is a history of the facility. Continue reading A History of the North Omaha Gene Eppley Boys Club
Land speculators snatched up a lot of North Omaha legally and illegally in the 1900s. Victor Lantry was one of them, and built a massive mansion to celebrate his wealth. Here’s his story. Continue reading A History of the Lantry – Thompson Mansion in North Omaha
From 1935 to 1940, more than 200 workers lived in a CCC camp at Levi Carter Park. Here is a history of their time. Continue reading A History of the CCC Camp in Omaha
The Benson Motor Company operated on present-day Maple Street for more than two decades. Continue reading A History of Streetcars in Benson
This is a modern history of North 24th and Lake Streets in North Omaha. Several buildings and initiatives are detailed. Continue reading The Recent History of 24th and Lake
Reed’s Ice Cream was a business in Omaha for more than 25 years. This article is about their business in North Omaha specifically… Continue reading A History of Reed’s Ice Cream in Omaha
The history of Scandinavians in North Omaha, including neighborhoods, churches, jobs and social groups. Continue reading A History of Scandinavians In North Omaha
Omaha’s tradition of Black churches started less than a decade after the founding of the city in 1865. With de facto segregation the norm in the city by then, African Americans were denied seats in white churches. Not to be without a spiritual home, the city’s pioneer Blacks founded their own places of worship. This is an introduction to Omaha’s historic Black churches. Continue reading A History of Black Churches in Omaha
The Omaha Auto Speedway had a short life, but a long impact on racing in the city. Continue reading A History of the Omaha Auto Speedway
MY list of 75 places in North Omaha that are over 117 years old, give or take a few places. Continue reading The Oldest Places in North Omaha
North Omaha’s Martha T. Smith Home for the Aged opened in 1913 as the Colored Old Folks Home. This is the history… Continue reading A History of the Colored Old Folks Home in North Omaha
A history of Omaha’s Eppley Airfield from 1925 to present. It has also been called the American Legion Municipal Airport and the Omaha Municipal Airport. Continue reading A History of Omaha’s Eppley Airfield
A leader among the bedrock institutions of North Omaha is Zion Baptist Church. One of the oldest congregations in Omaha, it was founded in 1884 and became the largest Black church in Omaha by 1900. It’s landmark building at 2215 Grant Street was designed by North Omaha native “Cap” Clarence Wigington, and its mission is still distinctly relevant more than 125 years after it was founded. Continue reading History of Zion Baptist Church in North Omaha
On Veterans Day, 1941, there was a giant parade for the dedication of a new monument to honor the life of John J. Pershing, General of the Armies during World War I. The City of Omaha named a new roadway leading from Abbott Drive to River Drive after him, as well. This is the story Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s J.J. Pershing Drive and Monument
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
The Omaha Black Panthers struggled against white supremacy and oppression from their headquarters in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Omaha Black Panthers
North Omaha’s has A LOT of unsung architectural heroes, and one of them is Joseph P. Guth. Guth moved from Germany to Omaha in 1884 and designed business blocks, breweries, factories and warehouses, fire stations, schools, houses and multifamily residences, churches … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Joseph P. Guth
The home at 2060 Florence Boulevard has a reputation as a mansion for the social elite; an apartment house; a brothel, a hotel and as apartments again. Here is a history of North Omaha’s Broadview Hotel. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Burkenroad House aka Broadview Hotel aka Trimble Castle
This is a history of an individual and the short-lived organization she created. It’s a story about the power, purpose and potential of young people in North Omaha, and the constant struggle between the City of Omaha and the Black community. This is a history of Beverly Blackburn (1937-1973) and the JFK Rec Center. Continue reading A Biography of Beverly Blackburn and a History of the JFK Rec Center
This is the story of a cafe called University Lunch once located at 3713 N. 24th St. in North Omaha. Called the “Hash House” by nearby students, it was an institution for 15 years until it closed in 1938. This is its story. Continue reading A History of the Hash House in North Omaha
On December 17, 1963, LOOK magazine included a story about segregation in Omaha. Following is a section of the article; there is a link to a PDF of the story under “Related Articles” that follows. THE NEGRO FACES NORTH OMAHA, NEBRASKA: THE NEW … Continue reading “The Negro Faces North. Omaha, Nebraska: The New Mood Shocks the City” by Sam Castan for LOOK magazine
Bungalow City was a booming neighborhood in North Omaha, Nebraska, for less than a decade. Then it was moved and forgotten. Continue reading A History of Bungalow City in East Omaha
From 1880 through the 1920s, Omaha’s new Gold Coast neighborhood was the opulent address in Omaha. Starting with Gilded Age mansions, it evolved into a mixed income neighborhood with wealthy and manager level classes. Continue reading A History of the Gold Coast Historic District in Omaha
Built on an 1852 house foundation, the Parker Mansion was a landmark in far North Omaha for more than a century. Continue reading A History of the Parker Mansion in North Omaha
In the aftermath of the 1960s riots that ravaged the community, a group of African American investors from North Omaha rallied to invest in technology, and for many, to invest in their home neighborhood. Pulling off a coup, for almost a decade, North Omaha was home to Nebraska’s first radio station and a former bastion of white middle class American culture. Except now it was the home of the city’s Black pride, empowerment and culture. Continue reading A History of KOWH, North Omaha’s Radio Station
Omaha, Nebraska, was founded on white supremacy. Since then, both formal and informal forces throughout the city have worked continuously to impose, maintain and expand white supremacy throughout the city, state and nation. The stories of Mondo we Langa and Ed Poindexter are examples of what that looks like. Understood in the context of North Omaha history, it is easy to see they aren’t the only examples; however, they are among the most powerful. Continue reading A History of the Case of Rice and Poindexter in North Omaha
This is a timeline of people from the history of North Omaha. They include people from political, legal, religious, medical, and other professions who transformed the community in countless ways. There are also creative leaders, sports figures, and others, too. Continue reading People from North Omaha History
Tall and wide, regal and plain, North Omaha has been home to many types of apartment buildings throughout the years. This article summarizes those styles and gives examples. Continue reading A History of Apartments in North Omaha
This is a history of gas stations in North Omaha, Nebraska Continue reading A History of Gas Stations in North Omaha
The intersection of North 30th and Ames Avenue was an important suburban crossroads in North Omaha as early as the 1890s and going all the way into the 1960s. Then, with white flight in full force and North Omaha divestment underway, the intersection started to struggle. Today, it continues to flounder, but many businesses stay open, overcoming the negative, challenging and demeaning perceptions many Omaha’s have about the community. Continue reading A History of the North 30th and Ames Commercial District
In a time of mobland gangsters, illegal booze, dirty gambling halls and open prostitution, several African Americans rose high enough in Omaha’s criminal underworld to become the crime lords of North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Early 20th Century Crime Bosses in North Omaha