Category: Lost history

20th century, Carter Lake, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, East Omaha, Economics, Government, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Neighborhoods, Parks, Politics, Poverty4 Comments
Carter Lake CCC Camp, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the CCC Camp in Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

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

19th century, Lost history, Neighborhoods, North Omaha, Pioneer era, Settlements26 Comments

A History of the Lost Towns in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

There are several lost towns and villages located inside present-day North Omaha. Over time, they’ve been annexed, absorbed and otherwise soaked into the fabric of the city of Omaha and largely forgotten. Only Florence and Benson have retained distinctive identities as dedicated former towns. The rest are almost wholly missing from the pubic record. This is a history of lost towns in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of the Lost Towns in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Civic Infrastructure, Fort Omaha, Government, historic preservation, Lost history, Miller Park, North 30th Street5 Comments
Fort Omaha Balloon School, Nebraska

A History of the Fort Omaha Balloon School

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Drifting high above North Omaha for 12 years, dirigibles and balloons that were lighter than air showed how Fort Omaha was central to US Army experimentation. This article shares the short history of the balloon school that showed so much promise early on. Continue reading A History of the Fort Omaha Balloon School

20th century, 21st century, Architects, Architecture, Black businesses, Buildings, business, Crime, Culture, Economics, Historic houses, Houses, Lost history, Near North Side, Racism, society, Wealth, White flight3 Comments
This is 2060 Florence Boulevard in the 1970s. Photo from the City of Omaha Meyer Collection.

A History of North Omaha’s Burkenroad House aka Broadview Hotel aka Trimble Castle

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

20th century, Black History, Crime, Culture, Government, Lost history, North 24th Street, Racism, Saratoga4 Comments
Mrs. Beverly Wead Blackburn Jones (1937 - 1973) was a youth worker, educator and champion for North Omaha.

A Biography of Beverly Blackburn and a History of the JFK Rec Center

Adam F.C. Fletcher

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

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Civic Infrastructure, Economics, historic preservation, Lost history8 Comments
A History of the Streets of North Omaha by Adam Fletcher Sasse

A History of Streets in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Asphalt, bricks, gravel and dirt lines the streets of one part of Omaha. For more than 160 years, the community has grown despite. Today, roads and avenues, highways, parkways, boulevards and more pave the way. This is a history of streets in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Streets in North Omaha

20th century, Black History, business, Culture, Economics, History of Nebraska, Lost history, North Omaha, Race riot, Racism8 Comments
With Don Davis as Program Director, in 1972, other personalities at North Omaha's KOWH included Erven McSwain, Buddy King, Herman Pearson, Ed Mims, The Magnificent One, and Beverly Blakely.

A History of KOWH, North Omaha’s Radio Station

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

21st century, Black History, Crime, Culture, General history, Government, Lost history, Near North Side, North Omaha, Politics, Racism, society7 Comments
This is Ed Poindexter and Mondo we Langa. ©2016 Michael Richardson.

A History of the Case of Rice and Poindexter in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

20th century, 21st century, Belt Line Railway, business, Economics, Industry, Lost history, SaratogaLeave a comment
Stroud Company's Red Wagon, 4308 Commercial Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 1916

A History of North Omaha’s Stroud Company

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Thomas Frank Stroud’s North Omaha business was successful. After starting it in Omaha in 1894, he formally organized the firm in 1895 to build dirt moving machines that he designed. In 1905, he built a $20,000 factory at the intersection of Florence Boulevard and the Belt Line tracks. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Stroud Company

20th century, 21st century, Biographies, Black people, business, Crime, Culture, Government, Lost history, Near North Side, Politics2 Comments
Billy Crutchfield and Harry Buford North Omaha Nebraska

A History of Early 20th Century Crime Bosses in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

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

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Black History, business, Culture, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Racism6 Comments
African American owned newspapers in Omaha, Nebraska

A History of African American Newspapers in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

North Omaha’s African American culture has grown and changed dramatically since its founding in 1854. One of the main drivers of the culture for more than a century has been the Black media. From the time Omaha’s first Black newspaper was published in 1889 through Shanelle Williams’ continued use of Facebook, Twitter and other social media today to build the African American community in Omaha, Black media has continued to transform the North Omaha community and the city at large. Continue reading A History of African American Newspapers in Omaha

20th century, Black History, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, History of Nebraska, Industry, Lost history, society21 Comments
This is a history of the Belt Line Railway in North Omaha from 1883 to 1987 by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of North Omaha’s Belt Line Railway

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Almost a decade ago, I stumbled across stories of a railroad that looped around Omaha. Different sources told crazy realities, including conflicting ownership, court cases, and the rise and fall of several neighborhoods in North Omaha. I was fascinated that I saw this track all the time when I was growing up, but I never knew its story, so I started researching. I read articles and pamphlets, books and maps. After that, I started an article on Wikipedia to share what I’d found. Well, as you know, that’s never enough for me. With some recent encouragement from John Peterson, a fine Omaha history writer, I am going to expand here on what I’ve researched and learned about the Belt Line Railway in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Belt Line Railway

20th century, 21st century, Florence, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Mormons, North 30th Street, society1 Comment
Mormon Tree, Florence, Nebraska 1920

A History of the Mormon Tree in Florence, Nebraska

Adam F.C. Fletcher

The Mormon Tree, also called the Brigham Young Tree, has loomed over my studies of Florence history for a decade now. I’ve seen mentions of it in old newspapers and heard stories about it from older people. However, I couldn’t find anything about it all this time. Until last month. Finally, after all these years, I wrote the Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters to ask about the Mormon Tree. Continue reading A History of the Mormon Tree in Florence, Nebraska

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Black History, historic preservation, Long School, Lost history, Neighborhoods, North 24th Street, Politics, Poverty5 Comments
This is Long School at 2520 Franklin Street in North Omaha in the 1890s.

A History of North Omaha’s Long School Neighborhood

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Long School neighborhood is located in North Omaha from Hamilton Street on the south to Erskine on the North; North 24th on the east and the North Freeway on the west, and it has a total of 30 blocks. Houses started getting built in the neighborhood as early as the 1860s. However, it wasn’t until Long School was built that things really got underway. This is a history of the neighborhood. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Long School Neighborhood

20th century, Black History, Culture, Lost history, North 24th Street, society6 Comments
History of the Carnation Ballroom, Adam Fletcher Sasse, NorthOmahaHistory.com

History of the Carnation Ballroom in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

African Americans stepped up to create community for themselves. Since Blacks weren’t allowed to move away from the Near North Side neighborhood, that’s where the community arose. Black churches, restaurants, clothing stores, and entertainment venues filled the North 24th Street strip from Cuming north to Lothrop Streets, and along Lake Street too. Continue reading History of the Carnation Ballroom in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Black History, business, Crime, Economics, General history, Government, History of Nebraska, Industry, Lost history, Poverty, Public health, Racism, White flight6 Comments

History of Lead Poisoning in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

For more than 15 years, the Environmental Protection Agency has been fighting lead poisoning in North Omaha as part of a citywide environmental cleanup focused on the 27-square-miles east of 72nd Street. Continue reading History of Lead Poisoning in North Omaha

20th century, Architecture, Civic Infrastructure, Geography, historic preservation, Lost history6 Comments
Swimming at the Omaha Municipal Beach on Carter Lake in 1919

A History of the Omaha Municipal Beach

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Located at 809 Carter Lake Drive North, Municipal Beach was a success, and for decades on every good swimming day all summer long a thousand people swamped Omaha’s Municipal Beach to enjoy sun, fun and good times. It was located there from 1919 through to the 1950s, enjoying massive popularity, an influx of money from the US federal government, and a place in many older peoples’ memories still today. Continue reading A History of the Omaha Municipal Beach

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, East Omaha, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Settlements, society37 Comments
This is a line map of the former town of East Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Town of East Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Once upon a time, there was an unincorporated town of 2,400 people south of Eppley Airfield, west of the Missouri River. A school, stores, bars, churches and a large dump were fixtures in the community. Today, its almost entirely gone and memories are quickly disappearing. This is a history of the town of East Omaha… Continue reading A History of the Town of East Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Civic Infrastructure, East Omaha, historic preservation, Lost history, North 16th Street, Politics, Race riot, Saratoga, Streets, White flight17 Comments
16th and Locust Historic District, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of 16th and Locust Historic District in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The N. 16th and Locust Street intersection was a beehive of commercial activity for more than a century. The Locust overpass of the MoPac Railroad was a key. Learn more. Continue reading A History of 16th and Locust Historic District in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Culture, Florence, Government, History of Nebraska, Lost history, North 30th Street, Pioneer era, Settlements21 Comments
Florence, Nebraska map from 1923

A History of the Florence Neighborhood

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The history of Florence begins with the tangled clopping of horse hooves and rattling of the sideboards on beat up wagons. The story of the town begins with people leaving, people coming back, a town booming, a town shrinking, and then getting annexed into Omaha and calming down. It’s a story that’s still being written every day, and lately things are on the up and up! Continue reading A History of the Florence Neighborhood

19th century, 20th century, Carter Lake, Civic Infrastructure, East Omaha, Lost history1 Comment
North Omaha History: Florence Lake, Omaha, Nebraska

A History of East Omaha’s Florence Lake

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Along the wild timeline of the Missouri River, a little nest of water was created in East Omaha, Nebraska. When European settlers saw it, they called it Florence Lake. Here’s a short history of its appearance, some appreciation, and its disappearance. Continue reading A History of East Omaha’s Florence Lake

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, business, Demolished buildings, Economics, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, society9 Comments
A History of North Omaha's Storz Brewery by Adam Fletcher for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of North Omaha’s Storz Brewery

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Before Gottlieb Storz, a few other entrepreneurs tried their hand at brewing beer in North Omaha. Afterwards though, Storz dominated. For more than 75 years, his family ran Omaha’s beer industry, and even though the brewery closed in the 1970s, … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Storz Brewery

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Ames Ave, Belt Line Railway, business, Carter Lake, Civic Infrastructure, East Omaha, Geography, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Missouri River, nightlife, Politics, Transportation, Water, Wrecked buildings15 Comments
An early history of Carter Lake by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of Carter Lake

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Everything begins somewhere. For Omaha’s Carter Lake, it was as a fun-filled day in the water for all kinds of people. Following is the early history of the place. It includes a waterfront boardwalk, hotels, a resort, clubs and an amusement park. Continue reading A History of Carter Lake

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 buildings7 Comments
On June 27, 1969, these kids were pictured going through one of the burned out businesses along North 24th Street after the killing of Vivian Strong.

A History of the North Omaha Riots

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

16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, 20th century, Black History, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Lost history, society6 Comments
North Omaha History Part 1: Before 1885 by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

A History of North Omaha Part 1: Before 1885

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is “A History of North Omaha, Part 1: Before 1885” by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com. Almost a thousand years ago early American Indians roamed the thick woodlands the lined the Missouri River bottoms in East Omaha. There were … Continue reading A History of North Omaha Part 1: Before 1885