Category: Saratoga

20th century, Biographies, Buildings, Civic Infrastructure, Clubs, Demolished buildings, Middle class, Ownership, Prairie Park, real estate, Redlining, Saratoga, Segregation, Social clubs, society, Subdivision, White peopleLeave a comment
B.J. Scannell (1861-1960)

A Biography of B.J. Scannell

Adam Fletcher Sasse

B.J. Scannell (1861-1960) significantly impacted North Omaha’s development as a businessman and community leader. Continue reading A Biography of B.J. Scannell

Belt Line Railway, Focus Topic, Historic districts, Saratoga
Saratoga Belt Line Historic District, North Omaha, Nebraska

Focus: Saratoga Belt Line

Adam Fletcher Sasse

In 2021, the Omaha City Council named the area around North 24th and Ames Avenue as an Economic Vitality Preservation District, a local building owner stepped forward to call it the “Saratoga Belt Line Historic District.” This article is a compilation of articles I’ve written about the area and other locations I’ve identified. Continue reading Focus: Saratoga Belt Line

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Economics, North 24th Street, Saratoga, Theaters, TheatresLeave a comment
The Suburban Theater at North 24th and Ames Avenue in North Omaha, Nebraska, was opened around 1900 and closed in 1927.

A History of the Suburban Theater

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The Saratoga neighborhood has existed since Nebraska was on the edge of the Wild West. After its glorious revelry during the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Expo, it settled into becoming a successful neighborhood on the edge of Omaha with a business center … Continue reading A History of the Suburban Theater

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Belt Line, Belt Line Railway, Black organizations, Buildings, Florence Boulevard, historic preservation, Manufacturing, Saratoga2 Comments
Imperial Sash and Door / Oliver Farm Machinery / Lozier Corporation / Omaha Housing Authority, 4402 Florence Boulevard, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of 4402 Florence Boulevard in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Today it looks like a bland industrial space along a decrepit street in a rundown part of Omaha. However, once this gigantic building was a foothold into the middle class for hundreds of workers; and again it was a warehouse to store parts for the homes of thousands across the community. Soon it will have a new future as a tribute to a community scion and African American icon for all times. This is a history of 4402 Florence Boulevard in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District of North Omaha. Continue reading A History of 4402 Florence Boulevard in North Omaha

20th century, 21st century, Bakery, Belt Line, Belt Line Railway, Buildings, Drug store, Industry, SaratogaLeave a comment
Taylor Dairy building, 4426 Florence Blvd, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of 4426 Florence Boulevard in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The building at 4426 Florence Boulevard is located in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District. Built in 1926, it is a storefront and open space that has no basement. The City of Omaha Planning Department currently rates the building in poor condition. This is a history. Continue reading A History of 4426 Florence Boulevard in North Omaha

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Ames Avenue, Architecture, Belt Line, Buildings, business, Civic Infrastructure, Culture, Economics, Expo Grounds, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Houses, Industry, Intersections, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Railway Co., Organizations, Politics, Saratoga, Wealth, White flightLeave a comment
Suburban Theatre, North Omaha, Nebraska

A Timeline of the History of Saratoga

Adam F.C. Fletcher

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. Continue reading A Timeline of the History of Saratoga

19th century, Architecture, business, Demolished buildings, historic preservation, North 24th Street, Pioneer era, SaratogaLeave a comment
Grant Hotel aka Saratoga Springs Hotel, N. 24th and Grand Ave., North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Saratoga Springs Hotel in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

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. Continue reading A History of the Saratoga Springs Hotel 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

20th century, Ames Ave, Economics, Florence Boulevard, Lost history, Manufacturing, Saratoga2 Comments
Omaha 30, Omaha Motor Car Company, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Omaha Motor Car Company in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

When the automobile industry was just getting started, every major city in the United States had at least one manufacturer. In Omaha, there were several including the Ottomobile, Ford trucks, and the Omaha Car, which lasted for just over a … Continue reading A History of the Omaha Motor Car Company in North Omaha

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Belt Line Railway, Carter Lake, Civic Infrastructure, East Omaha, Expo Grounds, Geography, Government, History of Nebraska, Industry, Lost history, Missouri River, Neighborhoods, North 16th Street, Pioneer era, Poverty, Railroads, real estate, Saratoga, Settlements1 Comment
1857 Nebraska Territory map showing Saratoga

A History of Sulphur Springs, Nebraska

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Sulphur Springs was a settlement in the Nebraska Territory from 1854 to 1877. This article shares some of its history. Continue reading A History of Sulphur Springs, Nebraska

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

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, Architecture, Biographies, business, Houses, Industry, North Omaha, Saratoga, White flight2 Comments
The Stroud Mansion at 5100 Florence Boulevard in North Omaha, Nebraska.

A History of the Stroud Mansion in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Built: 1909 Address: 5100 Florence Boulevard Architecture: Neo-Classical Demolished: 1969 In 1895, Thomas F. Stroud started his wagon making business in North Omaha. He was going to make his fortune selling wagons to western farmers in the city considered to be the Gateway to the … Continue reading A History of the Stroud Mansion in North 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

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

19th century, 20th century, Culture, Economics, History of Nebraska, North 24th Street, Saratoga6 Comments
Omaha Driving Park, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Omaha Driving Park in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

A century ago, there was a race track tucked away in Omaha’s memory. Starting as a rugged race track for fast horses and wagon races, it become a proper driving park, the county and state fairgrounds, and home to several … Continue reading A History of the Omaha Driving Park in North Omaha