Category: Florence

19th century, 20th century, Civic Infrastructure, Florence, Lost history, Lutheran, Neighborhoods, schoolsLeave a comment
This is the location of the Village of Briggs, Nebraska.

A History of the Village of Briggs, Nebraska

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Briggs was once a layover village established in 1885 and has nearly vanished. Key features included a post office, a railroad stop, and churches. Today, few remnants remain, reflecting its lost significance and history. Continue reading A History of the Village of Briggs, Nebraska

20th century, business, Civic Infrastructure, Florence, Fort Street, Industry, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, North 30th Street, Railroads, Transportation1 Comment
This is "A History of Railroads & Streetcars in Florence" by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of Railroads and Streetcars in Florence, Nebraska

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The North Omaha neighborhood of Florence transformed from a struggling village to suburban industrial hub with the arrival of railroads in the late 19th century. A streetcar served the community too for the next 40 years. This is a history. Continue reading A History of Railroads and Streetcars in Florence, Nebraska

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Belvedere, business, Civic Infrastructure, Druid Hill, Economics, Environment, Florence, Florence Field, Fort Omaha, Gifford Park, Long School, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Monmouth Park, North 30th Street, North Omaha, Ponca Hills, Streets2 Comments
These were rowhouses on North 30th Street in North Omaha. Pic courtesy of Joe Kinney.

A History of North 30th Street

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of N. 30th Street in North Omaha, extending from Dodge Street into the Ponca Hills, from 1854 to the present day. Continue reading A History of North 30th Street

#PreserveThisPlace, Belvedere, Buildings, business, Demolished buildings, Drug store, Florence, Florence Field, Grocery store, Ice cream, Intersections, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Neighborhoods, North 30th Street, Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Railway Co., real estate, Restaurants, shopping, TheatersLeave a comment
This is a history of N. 30th and Redick Ave. in North Omaha by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Intersection at North 30th and Redick Avenue

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Built to serve the Minne Lusa, Florence Field, Belvedere and Miller Park neighborhoods, this is a history of the intersection at North 30th and Redick Avenue in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Intersection at North 30th and Redick Avenue

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Banks, Bar or Tavern, Buildings, Commercial vernacular, Florence, History museums, History of Nebraska, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Newspapers, North 30th Street, Official Omaha Landmark, Pioneer eraLeave a comment
This is a history of the Bank of Florence by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Bank of Florence

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the Bank of Florence in North Omaha, including its usages as a bank, newspaper office, Old West Saloon and horse stable, and as a museum today. Continue reading A History of the Bank of Florence

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Buildings, Children, Culture, Education, Florence, Government, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, North 30th Street, Organizations, Senior citizens, Social halls, Students, Youth5 Comments
This is a 1971 pic of the sign for the Florence Community Center located at N. 30th and Clay Streets. Pic courtesy of the Durham Museum.

A History of the Florence Building

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Florence Main Street is filled with several important buildings that tell the neighborhood’s history from 1856 until today. One of the most important has been a social hall, gymnasium, public library, and is now a college. This is a history of the original Florence Community Center, also called the Florence Building. Continue reading A History of the Florence Building

19th century, Churches, Demolished buildings, Florence, General history, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Monmouth Park, Mormons, North 30th Street, Pioneer era, Religion, Settlements, Wrecked buildings3 Comments
Winter Quarters, Indian Country, 1846

A History of Winter Quarters

Adam Fletcher Sasse

In 1846, a town emerged on the western bank of the Missouri River. Although it only existed for a few years, there were a lot of elements that resembled a regular town, and its impact is still felt today. This … Continue reading A History of Winter Quarters

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Civic Infrastructure, Economics, Florence, Government, Highways, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Missouri River, Mormons, North 30th Street, Politics, Ponca Hills, Wyman Heights10 Comments
Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Mormon Bridge in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

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. Continue reading A History of the Mormon Bridge in North Omaha

20th century, Architects, Architecture, Buildings, Civic Infrastructure, Economics, Florence, Florence Boulevard, Florence Field, Historic houses, historic preservation, Houses, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, Public housing, Saratoga, White flight1 Comment
Everett S. Dodds (1898-1958), Architect, North Omaha, Nebraska

A Biography of Architect Everett S. Dodds

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a biography of Everett S. Dodds, and prolific architect who designed many buildings in North Omaha from 1914 through 1940. Continue reading A Biography of Architect Everett S. Dodds

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Culture, Economics, Florence, Historic houses, society, Wealth6 Comments
Lantry-Thompson Mansion, 3524 State St., North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Lantry – Thompson Mansion in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

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

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, 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, Americans, Architecture, Culture, Florence, ghosts, Halloween, historic preservation, Native Americans27 Comments
Hummel Park, J. J. Pershing Drive, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of North Omaha’s Hummel Park

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Ponca Hills are packed with real history and some mysteries. Unfortunately, one of the most enigmatic stories in the history of the entire city of Omaha is there, too. This is a history of Hummel Park. There is a … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Hummel Park

19th century, 20th century, Carter Lake, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, East Omaha, Florence, Government, Parks, society, StreetsLeave a comment
River Drive, North Omaha, Nebraska

History of the River Drive in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Imagine a smooth, easy drive on a Saturday afternoon in the fall all of it weaving along nineteen miles of the city’s waterfront. There are long, calm curves and tall, stately oaks lining the boulevard, with walkers and bikes moving … Continue reading History of the River Drive in Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Black History, Crime, Culture, Florence, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, North 24th Street, North Omaha, Omaha, Omaha Claim Club, Politics, Racism, White flight17 Comments
This is a 1930s era US federal government Home Owners Loan Corporation map from the US Library of Congress. It was found by Palma Joy Strand, a professor at Creighton Law School and the Werner Institute 2040 Initiative at Creighton University.

A History of Redlining in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The history of North Omaha includes redlining starting during the 1920s, and being made illegal in the 1960s. This article explores that history, including the context in which it happened and some of the outcomes. Continue reading A History of Redlining in Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Florence, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, schools3 Comments

An Interesting History of Fort Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is an interesting history of Fort Omaha. Every school student in North Omaha is taught about the fort, that it existed and stuff happened there. But what they are taught and what the average Omahan knows pales in comparison … Continue reading An Interesting History of Fort Omaha

Architecture, Civic Infrastructure, Florence, History of Nebraska, Minne Lusa17 Comments
Florence Water Works Minne Lusa Pumping Station in North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Florence Water Works and Minne Lusa Station in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Florence Water Works was once home to one of the most magnificent buildings in the entire city of Omaha. After being nearly-obliterated in 1970, MUD has rebuilt the structure to honor its 130-year history, and today the water there keeps wetting the whistle. This is a history of the Florence Water Works and Minne Lusa Pumping Station. Continue reading A History of the Florence Water Works and Minne Lusa Station in North Omaha

Benson, Black History, Carter Lake, Civic Infrastructure, East Omaha, Florence, Fontenelle Boulevard, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, Omaha, Racism, Saratoga, schools, White flight50 Comments
Schools in North Omaha, from upper left: Fort Street Special School; Long School classroom; Pershing School; Florence School; Lake School; Florence School bus; Saratoga School; Florence School classroom; Monmouth Park School; Long School; Lake School students; Miller Park School

A History of Schools in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

If walls could talk, North Omaha’s schools would be much noisier, much more colorful, and much more complicated than anyone wants to hear. For more than 150 years, schools throughout the community have served students of all ages. With a deep history including segregation and school violence, its can be hard to remember all the positive people and events that emerged in the community’s schools. Following is my ever-growing history of the old schools in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Schools in North Omaha

Architecture, Benson, Carter Lake, East Omaha, Florence, Fontenelle Boulevard, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, Omaha, Politics, Race riot, Racism, Saratoga18 Comments
A map of historic neighborhoods in North Omaha, Nebraska

Historical Tour of North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Following is a list of places I would visit on a long, winding North Omaha history tour. If you have anything you would like me to write about, add, or otherwise know, please share here. I LOVE NORTH O! These are listed by neighborhood, starting at Dodge Street and heading northwards. Note that all links go to articles I created, either on Wikipedia or on this blog. Continue reading Historical Tour of North Omaha