Cabannè's Trading Post, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Cabanné’s Trading Post in North Omaha

This is a short history of Cabanne’s Post in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Cabanné’s Trading Post in North Omaha

Mormon Tree, Florence, Nebraska 1920

A History of the Mormon Tree in Florence, Nebraska

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

Florence, Nebraska map from 1923

A History of the Florence Neighborhood

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

Hummel Park, J. J. Pershing Drive, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of North Omaha’s Hummel Park

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

River Drive, North Omaha, Nebraska

History of the River Drive in Omaha

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

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

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

An Interesting History of Fort Omaha

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

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

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

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

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

A map of historic neighborhoods in North Omaha, Nebraska

Historical Tour of North Omaha

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