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.
Category: historic preservation
History of the Carver Savings and Loan Association
This is a history of the Carver Bank in North Omaha, the first-ever Black-owned bank in Nebraska.
Notable African American Women in Omaha History
Black women in Omaha have done all kinds of work as mothers, businesswomen, teachers, ministers, politicians, and in other roles to make the community great. This is a history of some of the notable African American women in North Omaha.
A History of the Webster Telephone Exchange Building
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.
A History of Howard Kennedy School
Sitting on top of a hill on the western edge of North Omaha, the Omaha View School was one of the city’s earliest. Rebuilt on a new site in 1908, in 1910 it was renamed, too. Since then the school has had notable alumni, built the surrounding neighborhood up, and changed dramatically. This is a history of the Howard Kennedy Elementary School.
A History of Kellom School
What do Fred Astaire, Roger and Gale Sayers, Bob Gibson, Bob Boozer, Michael Anania, Brenda Council, and former Omaha mayor Johnny Rosenblatt all have in common? Born in the Near North Side, each attended the same school. That same building is a neighborhood institution with deep roots going back at least 140 years in Omaha’s past. This is a history of North Omaha’s Kellom School.
A Timeline of the History of Saratoga
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.
A History of the Saratoga Springs Hotel in North Omaha
One building defined the early history of a boom-and-bust town located in present-day North Omaha. Despite only being open for a short time, the building left a long shadow on the area. This is a history of the Saratoga Springs Hotel in the town of Saratoga, Nebraska Territory.
A History of the Druid Hill School
Some schools in Omaha were built in reaction to floods of new residents moving into neighborhoods unexpectedly. Others were built to attract new residents. Originally opened in 1885, the school at North 30th and Spaulding Street was the latter. This is a history of the Druid Hill School in North Omaha.
A History of the Zabriskie Mansion in North Omaha by Jody Lovallo
Adam’s Note: This is a guest article by Jody Lovallo in her continuing series about important women in North Omaha history. Check out the “You Might Like…” section below for links to her other articles. Enjoy “A History of the Zabriskie Mansion” by Jody Lovallo.
“An Overview of North Omaha History” Presentation Notes
These are presentation notes and links from Adam Fletcher Sasse’s April 28, 2020 presentation called “An Overview of North Omaha History.”
A Biography of Florence Kilborn
This is a biography of Florence Kilborn (c1854-1866), namesake of the Florence neighborhood in North Omaha.
A History of the Omaha Crèche
This is a history of the Omaha Crèche, which was located on North 52nd and Pratt Streets for a half century.
A History of the Old Plantation in North Omaha
This is a history of the Old Plantation, a display at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in North Omaha in 1898.
A Biography of George P. Johnson
The first-ever Black-owned, operated and filmed theater company in the world was led from North Omaha.
A History of Allen’s Showcase in North Omaha
This is a biography of Paul B. Allen, and a history of Allen’s Showcase in North Omaha.
A Biography of Rev. Anna R. Woodbey
One woman from North Omaha made it her life’s work to ban the demon’s spirit, juice, sauce, hooch, vino, and liquid courage from everywhere, all the time. This is a biography of Anna R. Woodbey.
A History of the Oak View Home for Negro Boys
This is a history of the only foster home for African American youth Omaha history, open from the 1940s into the 1950s.
A Biography of Bertha Calloway
This is a biography of historian and North Omaha leader Bertha Calloway (1925-2017). She was a Civil Rights activist, museum founder, historian, author, student, educator, speaker, promoter, playwright, journalist, administrator, mentor, wife and mother.
A History of the Mormon Bridge in North Omaha
Built on the rock bottom of the Missouri River, dreams of today’s Mormon Bridge go back to 1846. This article explores the history of the bridge, the ferries, the politics and more.
A History of the Carter White Lead Company Factory in East Omaha
For 40 years, one plant poisoned North Omaha with heinous disregard. This is a history of the Carter White Lead Company factory in East Omaha.
A History of the Omaha View Neighborhood
This is a history of North Omaha’s Omaha View neighborhood, one of the city’s oldest western expanses.
A History of the Plum Nelly Area in North Omaha
The Plum Nelly area is a once secret neighborhood that’s become a lost neighborhood located in North Omaha.
A History of Hope Lutheran Church
This is a history of the only African American Lutheran church in Nebraska today, called Hope Lutheran Church.
A History of the Nite Hawkes Cafe in East Omaha
This is a history of the Nite Hawkes Cafe, located at North 16th and Grand Avenue since 1942!
North Omaha History 