Category: Kountze Place

19th century, 20th century, Clubs, Kountze Place, Middle class, Sports, WealthLeave a comment
This is "A History of the Kountze Place Golf Club" in North Omaha, Nebraska, by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A History of the Kountze Place Golf Club

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Kountze Place Golf Club, established in North Omaha during the 1890s, was a brief yet significant recreational venture for the affluent, lasting only three years before its land transitioned to educational use. Continue reading A History of the Kountze Place Golf Club

#PreserveThisPlace, 20th century, 21st century, African Methodist Episcopal, Architects, Architecture, Baptist, Black churches, Black ministers, Churches, Gothic, historic preservation, Kountze Place, Redlining, Segregation, White flight, White peopleLeave a comment
Located at N. 18th and Emmet Streets in North Omaha, this is Plymouth Congregational Church in 1939. It has been home to Second Baptist Church since 1981.

A History of North Omaha’s Second Baptist Church

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Located at 1802 Emmet Street in North Omaha, this is a history Second Baptist Church. Before 1981, it was home to Primm Chapel AME and Plymouth Congregational churches. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Second Baptist Church

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Baptist, Black churches, Black ministers, Black organizations, Churches, COGIC, Kountze Place, Ownership, Segregation, United Methodist, White flight, White peopleLeave a comment
This is the Greater Saint Paul Church of God in Christ located at 2123 Miami Street, this church was built in 1915 by the Church of the Brethren (Dunkard Society). After moving in 1927, Grove Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church in 1927 and was renamed Clair Memorial. Clair moved into the former Brethren moved out in 1956, and Greater St. Paul COGIC moved in in 1962. It continues today.

A History of the Greater St. Paul Church of God in Christ

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of the Greater Saint Paul Church of God in Christ in the Kountze Place neighborhood of North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of the Greater St. Paul Church of God in Christ

#PreserveThisPlace, 20th century, 21st century, African Methodist Episcopal, Architecture, Baptist, Black churches, Buildings, Catholics, Churches, Civil Rights Movement, COGIC, Demolished buildings, Economics, Ethnicities & Races, Gothic, historic preservation, Kountze Place, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Ownership, Presbyterian, Racism, Redlining, Segregation, United Methodist, White flight, White people, Wrecked buildingsLeave a comment
These are some of the historic churches of the Kountze Place neighborhood in North Omaha.

The Historic Churches of Kountze Place in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of the historic churches in the Kountze Place neighborhood of North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading The Historic Churches of Kountze Place in North Omaha

Apartments, Architecture, Commercial vernacular, Demolished buildings, Kountze Place, North 24th Street, schools, Students, University of Omaha1 Comment
Joslyn Hall, Omaha University, North 24th and Evans Streets.

A History of Joslyn Hall in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

From 1916 to 1964, a three-story brick building sat at N. 24th and Evans St. in North Omaha, Nebraska. This is a history of the building, originally called Joslyn Hall and then University Apartments. Continue reading A History of Joslyn Hall in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Biographies, Forest Lawn burial, historic preservation, Kountze Place, Mansions and estates, Official Omaha Landmark, Queen Anne, Wealth, White people, Wirt Street2 Comments
This is a comparison of the George F. Shepard House at 1802 Wirt Street in the Kountze Place neighborhood of North Omaha, Nebraska, in 1907 and in 2015. 1907 image courtesy of Sam Swanson.

A History of the George F. Shepard House

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Fancy homes used to line certain streets throughout North Omaha, and one of those was Wirt Street. Business leaders, influential socialites, and high-minded politicians lived up and down the block, building the neighborhood along the way. This is a history … Continue reading A History of the George F. Shepard House

20th century, 21st century, Black churches, Churches, historic preservation, Kountze Place, Presbyterian, Wealth, White flight, White people3 Comments
Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, 2108 Emmet Street, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of First United Presbyterian Church

Adam Fletcher Sasse

For only 40 years, a longtime congregation was at home in the Kountze Place neighborhood. They built a huge church, had a successful run, but couldn’t keep going. This is a history of the First United Presbyterian Church in North … Continue reading A History of First United Presbyterian Church

19th century, 20th century, Architecture, Baptist, Demolished buildings, Kountze Place, Lost history, North 24th Street, Segregation, White flight13 Comments
Immanuel Baptist Church, North 24th and Pinkney Streets, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Immanuel Baptist Church

Adam F.C. Fletcher

A giant church building, a large congregation and lots of impact by Immanuel Baptist Church went on for more than 50 years in North Omaha. Today there’s no sign of this once-important place. This is a history of the church. Continue reading A History of Immanuel Baptist Church

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, Historic houses, Kountze Place, Normal house history, Wealth, White flight, Wirt Street2 Comments
M. B. Copeland House, 1922 Wirt Street, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of 1922 Wirt Street in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Kountze Place neighborhood was built for middle- and upper-class Omahans seeking a streetcar suburb suitable for building large homes, raising fine families and enjoying the fruit of their labors. Indicative of the Victorian era, the home was designed in … Continue reading A History of 1922 Wirt Street in North Omaha

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, 20th century, Architecture, Black churches, Kountze Place, Lake Street, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Lost history, North 24th Street, Official Omaha Landmark, Presbyterian, Religion, Segregation, Wrecked buildings4 Comments
North Presbyterian Church, 3105 North 24th Street, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of North Omaha’s Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church was a short-lived attempt by a fleeting denomination to maintain a significant presence in North Omaha. Despite the hard work and commitment by African American members, the congregation ultimately failed. However, they did succeed in ensuring … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, Architects, Architecture, Florence Boulevard, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Lost history, North 16th Street, Parks, Segregation, Wrecked buildings3 Comments

A History of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition. Continue reading A History of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, Architecture, Buildings, Expo Grounds, Florence Boulevard, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Lost history, Wrecked buildings2 Comments
This is the Administration Building, aka the Administrative Arch, at the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Expo in North Omaha, Nebraska in 1898.

A History of the Administration Arch in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the Administrative Building, aka the Administration Arch, at the 1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition held in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Administration Arch in North Omaha

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, 20th century, Architecture, Black History, Economics, Historic houses, Kountze Place, Lost history, Organizations, White flight, Wrecked buildings2 Comments
The McLain Mansion was at 2214 Wirt Street in the Kountze Place neighborhood.

A History of North Omaha’s McLain Mansion

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Many of Kountze Place’s finest homes are gone now, demolished by indifferent landowners and city planners who are blind to the value of the neighborhood. One of these homes stood at 2214 Wirt Street, and it was clearly one of … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s McLain Mansion

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Civic Infrastructure, Economics, Government, Kountze Place, Lost history, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Parks, real estate5 Comments

A History of the Demolition of the Trans-Mississippi Expo

Adam F.C. Fletcher

This is a history of the demolition of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition of 1898 and the Greater America Exposition of 1899. Continue reading A History of the Demolition of the Trans-Mississippi Expo

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, Black History, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Economics, Expo Grounds, Government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Lost history, Parks, Politics, society, White flight1 Comment
Kountze Park, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of North Omaha’s Kountze Park, Once Called Malcolm X Park

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Malcolm X Memorial Park sits in the heart of North Omaha’s Kountze Place. Discover why you don’t hear about it anymore. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Kountze Park, Once Called Malcolm X Park

19th century, 20th century, Architecture, Houses, Kountze Place, Omaha Claim Club4 Comments
Anna Wilson's home at 2018 Wirt Street in North Omaha's Kountze Place neighborhood.

A History of Anna Wilson’s Mansion in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

A. D. Jones, Dr. Elizabeth Reeves, Robert Beech Howell, Anna Wilson, the Omaha Old Peoples Home Association, Crosby Funeral Home, and several others were attached to the mansion at 2018 Wirt Street in the Kountze Place neighborhood of North Omaha, Nebraska. What happened to it? Continue reading A History of Anna Wilson’s Mansion in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Black History, Culture, historic preservation, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Racism, Religion, society32 Comments

History of Churches in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

In its first 75 years, North Omaha was home to no fewer than four Jewish synagogues, six Catholic parishes and 50 Protestant congregations. These churches reflected the community’s diversity, including ethnic churches where only Italian, German, Norwegian, Danish and other languages were spoke. Within 25 years of Omaha’s founding, there were also several Black churches in the neighborhood north of downtown. Following is a history of churches in North Omaha. Continue reading History of Churches in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Biographies, Historic houses, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Politics, society2 Comments

A History of the John E. Reagan House in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

With the old country ties in mind, one lawyer in Omaha took it upon himself to bring some fellow Irishmen back to Omaha to stump for “Cowboy” Jim Dahlman, Omaha’s corrupt longtime mayor who was controlled by local boss Tom Dennison. Did his tireless campaigning get him a seat in the Nebraska State Legislature? Was there dirty money involved in building his palatial home? Continue reading A History of the John E. Reagan House in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, Architecture, Culture, Economics, Historic houses, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 24th Street7 Comments
Redick Hall, Omaha University, 24th and Pratt Street, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Redick Mansion in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The most famous mansion built in North Omaha is probably the Mayne Mansion, also known as the Redick Mansion. Clifton E. Mayne was a pioneer real estate investor and salesman in the city. In the 1870s, a farmer built a little house along Saunders Street leading north out of Omaha. He sold ten acres and his little farmhouse to Mayne in 1885. Continue reading A History of the Redick Mansion in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Culture, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, North 24th Street, society1 Comment
Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Florence Boulevard, Kountze Place neighborhood, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Presbyterians were one of the congregations that grew along with Omaha. Arriving soon after the city’s founders, the first Presbyterian church in Omaha was opened in 1856. Over the next 25 years, more than 100 Presbyterian churches were founded in towns and cities across Nebraska. Their buildings became institutions for the faithful, for their communities and for the culture of the state. One institution made leaders for these flocks for more than 50 years. Continue reading A History of the Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Benson, Black History, Carter Lake, Culture, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Minne Lusa, Near North Side, North 24th Street10 Comments
Historic movie theaters of North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Theatres and Movie Theaters in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

While it has absolutely no active movie theaters today, the North Omaha community has been home to at least 20 (!) movie theaters over the last century. This is a short history of those theaters. Its really incomplete, as information has been hard for me to find. Continue reading A History of Theatres and Movie Theaters in North 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

20th century, Civic Infrastructure, Kountze Place, North 24th Street, Omaha, schools4 Comments
Municipal University of Omaha Science Hall, North 24th and Ames Avenue, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Original Omaha University in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Along the tree-lined streets and fine middle and upper class homes of Kountze Place in North Omaha, the staff of Omaha’s Presbyterian Theological Seminary decided in the early 20th century to start a new university. For 30 years, the neighborhood was home to the eventual University of Nebraska at Omaha. This is a short history of that time, starting from the beginning. Continue reading A History of Original Omaha University in North Omaha

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, East Omaha, Expo Grounds, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Minne Lusa, OmahaLeave a comment

A History of the Location of the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition

Adam Fletcher Sasse

By now, many North Omahans are familiar with the grand, wonderful, exuberant and spectacular event know as the Trans-Mississippi Exposition of 1898. However, not many people know that the “event of the century” almost didn’t happen in banker Augustus Kountze’s land centered on 24th and Evans. In planning for at least three years before it was launched, the Expo committee worked diligently for many months to identify the absolute perfect place to hold the event. Led by early Omaha banker Gurdon Wattles, this committee was stocked with business leaders and other informed by locally important people including David Mercer and … Continue reading A History of the Location of the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition

Historic houses, History of Nebraska, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street11 Comments
"February 23, 2015. Dearest Cornice, I have finished taking the exquisite Wirt Street Home Tour in North Omaha. After visiting a dozen beautiful homes, I'm convinced this neighborhood is a place where dreams can come true! Come visit soon! Your Cousin June."

A History of North Omaha’s Wirt Street

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Hidden deep in the heart of North Omaha is a jewel of a street, filled with abundant American foursquare houses, long yards and hints of its glory 100 years ago. This section of Wirt street, from north 16th to north 24th streets, was once home to some of the predominant names in the beautiful Kountze Place development. It was also home to more than simple Foursquare style homes. In addition to the stout middle class houses, there were some exquisite examples of high style in Omaha history. This article highlights those beauties, which suggest a future for the Wirt Street historic district. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Wirt Street

Architecture, Black History, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Kountze Place, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Politics, Race riot, Racism, White flight55 Comments
This is a colorized version of a 1938 pic of 24th and Willis. Image courtesy of the Durham Museum.

A History of 24th Street in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

North 24th Street in North Omaha, Nebraska, used to be a regular street of dreams. Home to immigrants and entrepreneurs, it hosted generations of families that made it. Then in the 1960s, several riots struck at the heart of the community. It hasn’t recovered in the 50 years since. Continue reading A History of 24th Street 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