A Biography of North Omaha’s Dr. Matthew O. Ricketts
This is a biography of Nebraska’s first African American legislator, Dr. Matthew O. Ricketts. He served from 1893 to 1897. Continue reading A Biography of North Omaha’s Dr. Matthew O. Ricketts
Category: Omaha
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
A History of Original Omaha University in North Omaha
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
A History of Streetcars in North Omaha
This is a history of streetcars in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of Streetcars in North Omaha
A History of the Location of the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition
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
A Timeline of North Omaha History
A graphic timeline with some important events in North Omaha history…. Continue reading A Timeline of North Omaha History
A History of the 1919 Lynching and Riot in Omaha
Omaha has many histories that need to be told. Places, people and events that happened over the last 160 years have been forgotten, neglected or repressed, and that’s what I am most interested in. The story of Will Brown is one such story. It represents the ugly, hateful history of this city that has driven a lot of today’s violence, ignorance and pain that has prevented North Omaha from moving forward. Here is a powerful video featuring the lynching of Will Brown, and I highly recommend you watch the entirety of it. There is graphic content. You Might Like… … Continue reading A History of the 1919 Lynching and Riot in Omaha
1913 Easter Tornado in North Omaha Video History
The following video is a collection of pictures from the 1913 Easter Sunday tornado. This was a massive F5 tornado that ripped across the entire city. However, the vast majority of damage was done to North Omaha, and in particular … Continue reading 1913 Easter Tornado in North Omaha Video History
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 History of Racism in Omaha
This is a history of racism in Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of Racism in Omaha
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
A History of the Saratoga Neighborhood in North Omaha
Saratoga was originally a large township on the Missouri River. What happened to it? Continue reading A History of the Saratoga Neighborhood in North Omaha
Kidnapping Edward Cudahy Jr.
This is the story of the kidnapping of Edward Cudahy, Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1900. Continue reading Kidnapping Edward Cudahy Jr.
A History of the Kountze Place Neighborhood in North Omaha
North Omaha’s wealthy suburb for rich people didn’t take off when its namesake first platted it. Following is a history of Omaha’s Kountze Place neighborhood. Continue reading A History of the Kountze Place Neighborhood in North Omaha