Category: Black spaces and places

18th century, 19th century, 20th century, African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Black businesses, Black churches, Black communities, Black culture, Black History, Black people, Black spaces and places, Culture, Enslaved Person, events, Geography, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Military, Ownership, Racism, Segregation, Settlements, society, weatherLeave a comment
This is a cornfield that resembles what would have covered the Minne Lusa neighborhood before 1916.

A History of Rural Black Nebraska

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The history of African Americans in rural Nebraska encompasses a resilient existence from the territorial period through the early 20th century. This article shares stories of migration, homesteading, and the establishment of all-Black towns. and explores the systemic racism and environmental challenges ultimately dismantled these communities. Today, the heritage of Black pioneers in Nebraska is largely forgotten. Continue reading A History of Rural Black Nebraska

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Black businesses, Black culture, Black History, Black organizations, Black people, Black spaces and places, Civic Infrastructure, Creighton University, Culture, Economics, Environment, Government, Lost history, lynching, Omaha Police Department, Ownership, Politics, Racism, Redlining, Rioting, Segregation, society, WealthLeave a comment
This is "A History of White Supremacy in Omaha" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of White Supremacy in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This article examines Omaha’s “doctrine of white supremacy” as a deliberate, engineered system rather than random prejudice. From 1850s enslavement to modern redlining and carceral pipelines, the city’s geography and institutions were built to extract Black wealth and agency, ensuring white success through a durable, structural architecture of exclusion. Continue reading A History of White Supremacy in Omaha

19th century, Abolition, African Methodist Episcopal, Black culture, Black History, Black spaces and places, Demolished buildings, Economics, Lost history, Neighborhoods, Politics, Racism, Segregation, societyLeave a comment
In 1865, a so-called “colored school” was open by the new Omaha school district and served at least twenty-seven students annually from 1865 to 1872. Shown here is an 1888 picture of 9th Street north from Farnam. The school was on 9th Street north of Dodge Street until 1872.

A History of Omaha’s First Black Neighborhood

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Before 24th and Lake existed, Omaha’s first Black neighborhood was established in the 1850s. It was around 10th and Dodge, and was a segregated enclave known as the Near North Side. It housed significant community leaders and institutions, witnessing early civil rights struggles and eventually leading to the area’s integration by 1872. Continue reading A History of Omaha’s First Black Neighborhood

20th century, 24th and Lake, Bar or Tavern, Black businesses, Black performers, Black spaces and places, clubs, Clubs, Guest author, Harlem Renaissance, Lake Street, Lost history, Musicians, White people1 Comment
Club Harlem, 2410 Lake Street, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Burlesque Theatres in Omaha by Iona Fortune

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Adam’s note: There were many burlesque theatres in Omaha’s history. According to Wikipedia, burlesques had three parts, including 1) songs and ribald comic sketches by low comedians; 2) acts like acrobats, magicians and solo singers; 3) chorus numbers and sometimes … Continue reading A History of Burlesque Theatres in Omaha by Iona Fortune

19th century, Activism, Black History, Black leader, Black people, Black politicians, Black spaces and places, Civic Infrastructure, Crime, Culture, Enslaved Person, General history, Government, Legislators, Omaha, Pioneer era, Politics, Racism, Reconstruction, SegregationLeave a comment
This is "A History of Early Laws Enforcing Racial Discrimination in Omaha" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of Early Laws Enforcing Racial Discrimination in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of early laws enforcing racial discrimination in Omaha. Continue reading A History of Early Laws Enforcing Racial Discrimination in Omaha

Activism, Art, Biographies, Black businesses, Black culture, Black History, Black organizations, Black people, Black performers, Black spaces and places, Black writers, business, Clubs, Culture, Economics, Harlem Renaissance, Jazz, music, nightlife, Social clubs2 Comments
The Harlem Renaissance in North Omaha by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

The Harlem Renaissance in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of the Harlem Renaissance in North Omaha, including the art, literature, and music that emerged from that period. Continue reading The Harlem Renaissance in North Omaha

19th century, Activism, Bar or Tavern, Biographies, Black barber, Black businesses, Black businesspeople, Black spaces and places, Downtown, nightlife, Ownership, Politics, Prospect Hill burial, SegregationLeave a comment
Barber shop, 24th and Ames, North Omaha, Nebraska

A Biography of Richard D. Curry

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Many people live unremarkable lives filled with sameness and consistency, while some break the mold. Given the racist nature of Omaha, in the city’s early Black community, there are not a lot of noted Black people. This is the story … Continue reading A Biography of Richard D. Curry

16th century, 17th century, 18th century, Americans, Black History, Black people, Black spaces and places, Enslaved Person, Ethnicities & Races, Europeans, French, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Immigrants, Lost history, Missouri River, Mormons, Native Americans, Omaha, Pioneer era, Racism, Spanish, White peopleLeave a comment
York (1770 – before 1832) was the first African American in Omaha. He was a slave belonging to William Clark of the 1804 Lewis and Clark expedition.

A History of Black People in the Omaha Area Before 1850

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Black trappers, traders, pioneers, and farmers were in the Omaha area before the city was founded. This is a history of Black people in the Omaha area before 1854 by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com. Continue reading A History of Black People in the Omaha Area Before 1850

20th century, 21st century, Black History, Black leader, Black organizations, Black people, Black spaces and places, events, History of Nebraska, music, nightlife, North 24th Street, North 30th Street, Organizations, Parades, Social clubs1 Comment
This is a history of the Native Omaha Festival, formerly called Native Omaha Days, by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Native Omahans Festival

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of the Native Omaha Festival, which has happened biennially in North Omaha, Nebraska since 1976. Continue reading A History of the Native Omahans Festival

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Black businesses, Black spaces and places, Buildings, business, Civic Infrastructure, Crime, Demolished buildings, Economics, General history, Intersections, Lost history, Streets, White flight, White people, Wrecked buildings24 Comments
This is a history of North 42nd and Redman Avenue in North Omaha, Nebraska, by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of the Intersection of North 42nd and Redman Avenue

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of the intersection of N. 42nd and Redman Ave. in North Omaha, Nebraska. It discusses the development, businesses, and demise of the intersection including factors affecting it. Continue reading A History of the Intersection of North 42nd and Redman Avenue

21st century, Black culture, Black History, Black organizations, Black spaces and places, Carter Lake, Culture, events, historic preservation, Organizations, society2 Comments
c1979 pic of the Stone Soul Picnic by Rudy Smith

A History of North Omaha’s Stone Soul Picnic

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Black people in Omaha have celebrated, uplifted and empowered Black culture in the city for more than 150 years. Sometimes there are events and places that become synonymous with these celebrations. One of these happened for more than 25 years. … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Stone Soul Picnic

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, African Methodist Episcopal, Art, Baptist, Black churches, Black culture, Black educators, Black History, Black organizations, Black people, Black performers, Black spaces and places, Books, Buildings, Churches, Civil Rights Movement, clubs, Clubs, Culture, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Jazz, Lost history, music, nightlife, Religion, schools, Segregation, Social clubs, Social halls, Social services, society, Theatres, United Methodist, White flight, White people3 Comments
This is a history of the music of North Omaha, by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of Music in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a summary of a LOT of music in North Omaha over the last 150 years, including jazz, soul, blues, hip hop, gospel, pop, and so much more. Get introduced some of the people, places, events, and more from North Omaha’s musical history. Continue reading A History of Music in North Omaha