Adam’s Note: This is a special exposè on a rarely-acknowledged but vitally important part of Omaha’s history. Written by local historian Ryan Roenfeld, I believe this history of Omaha’s Chinatown is necessary, vibrant and just a beginning, albeit a deep one! Share your thoughts in the comments section!
Category Archives: Organizations
Negro Women’s Christian Association of Omaha
A social force, culture builder, educational center and powerful advocacy base, the Negro YWCA was vital to African Americans advancement in Omaha.
A History of the Charles Street Bicycle Park in North Omaha by Ryan Roenfeld
Tucked away in the Near North Side was the Charles Bicycle Track. This is its history as told by Ryan Roenfeld.
A History of Omaha’s Urban League
A hallowed history unlike any other organization in the state, the Urban League of Nebraska is committed to, “…lead Nebraska in closing the social economic gap in the African American, other emerging ethnic communities and disadvantaged families in the achievement of social equality and economic independence and growth.”From the official Urban League of Nebraska website […]
A History of the Salvation Army Hospital in North Omaha
From 1896 to 1978, the Omaha Salvation Army offered prenatal and birthing services for low-income, unwed and “unsuitable” pregnant women. This is a story of their facility.
A History of North Omaha’s “Doc” George Smith
The story of Doc George Smith, a longtime civil servant and respected mentor among pioneer Omahans.
A History of the Wesley House in North Omaha
This is a history of the Wesley House, a modern-times org that rebuilt a neighborhood by changing lives.
A History of Omaha’s North Downtown
This is a history of Omaha’s North Downtown neighborhood.
A History of North Omaha’s Provident Hospital
North Omaha’s Provident Hospital was an attempt to challenge the city’s racism. What happened?
A History of the Carter Lake Club
Summer fun turned into a permanent development in the city of Carter Lake.
A History of the Prairie Park Club
Hidden away in North Omaha was a social club that held the middle class and its neighborhood.
A History of the Omaha Rod and Gun Club
The Omaha Rod and Gun Club stepped up to foster fun and good times in turn-of-the-century Omaha.
A History of Omaha’s Cortland Beach
All in one place: A history of Cortland Beach, the Omaha Rod and Gun Club and the Carter Lake Club.
A History of the Omaha NAACP Youth Council
This is a history of the Omaha NAACP Youth Council, which started in 1936 and continues today!
A History of African American Firsts in Omaha
This is a list of African American firsts in Omaha.
A Timeline of the Omaha DePorres Club
This is a timeline of a 1950s-era civil rights group in Omaha called the DePorres Club.
A History of North Omaha’s McLain Mansion
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 the biggest homes in the area. This is a short history of the address. […]
A History of the Near North YMCA in North Omaha
The Near North Side YMCA was a staple of the community for more than 50 years. Here’s the story…
A History of North Omaha’s Scriptown
This is a history of Scriptown in the Nebraska Territory.
A Short History of the Public Library in North Omaha
This is a history of the Charles B. Washington North Branch of the Omaha Public Library.
A History of King Solomon’s Mines in North Omaha
This is a history of King Solomon’s Mines, a nightclub open at 2425 Ames Avenue in North Omaha from 1970-1972.
“FRAMED” Chapter 17 by Michael Richardson
This is chapter 17 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. It introduces the Congressional action against the Omaha Two, and more.
“FRAMED” Chapter 16 by Michael Richardson
This is FRAMED Chapter 16 by Michael Richardson. In this installment, arrests are made and fingers are pointed – again.
“FRAMED” Chapter 15 by Michael Richardson
This is Chapter 15 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson, covering the day Ed Poindexter was arrested.
“FRAMED” Chapter 14 by Michael Richardson
Presented in Chapter 14 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson is a smoking gun!
“FRAMED” Chapter 13 by Michael Richardson
In Michael Richardson’s book FRAMED, Chapter 13 exposes detail galore. This chapter shows how!
“FRAMED” Chapter 12 by Michael Richardson
This is Chapter 12 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. In it, the author explores the role of Duane Peak and the FBI in the resulting coverup.
“FRAMED” Chapter 11 by Michael Richardson
FRAMED, Chapter 11 was written by Michael Richardson.
“FRAMED” Chapter 10 by Michael Richardson
“Angry Policemen Seek Deadly House Bomber,” screamed the Omaha World-Herald. 25 people in North Omaha were arrested. Here’s the actual list of suspects compiled by the Omaha Police Department. Discover what happened on the day patrolman Larry Minard, Sr. was killed.
“FRAMED” Chapter 9 by Michael Richardson
Adam’s Note: This is Chapter 9 in the series on NorthOmahaHistory.com called Framed: J. Edgar Hoover, COINTELPRO and the Omaha Two Story. It was written by Michael Richardson. Learn more here. “I will never ever forgive the Black Panther Party for that.” —Ed Poindexter on being called a police agent On July 2, 1970, a […]
A History of North Omaha’s Tic Toc Diner
Built around 1905, like many historical commercial buildings in North O, 4104 North 24th Street has had several lives since it was built. Most of it is focused on the iconic Tic Toc Diner. Here’s a low-down of the history of another of North Omaha’s greasy spoons… It was a pool hall, barber shop and […]
A History of Higher Education in North Omaha
Colleges, universities and other higher education institutions are scattered throughout North Omaha history. Here’s a summary.
A History of Ak-Sar-Ben in North Omaha
Examining the rise and fall of North Omaha requires a long and complicated journey through politics, culture, economics and more. One of the important early anchors of the community demonstrated the ability of one organization to steer things astray. Opening the Coliseum Built in 1879, the Coliseum was located at 2226 North […]
A History of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Parish and the Bryant Resource Center
North Omaha’s Saint Benedict Catholic Church has been a bastion of hope for the Near North Side for almost a century. Here’s their story.
A History of the Danish Vennelyst Park in North Omaha
The Danish Vennelyst Park history goes beyond weddings, picnics and parties. It is one of the few remnants of Omaha’s once-thriving Danish immigrant community.
A History of the North Omaha Gene Eppley Boys Club
The North Omaha Gene Eppley Boys’ Club was the cradle of youth engagement for a generation of young men. This is a history of the facility.
A History of Anna Wilson’s Mansion in North Omaha
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?
A History of North Omaha’s Orchard Hill Neighborhood
Established in 1886, North Omaha’s Orchard Hill neighborhood filled in slowly, and shows signs of coming back from white flight. Here’s a history of Orchard Hill…
A History of Mob Violence in Omaha
Mobs have terrorized Omaha since the city was founded in 1854. Defined as “the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims,” terrorism was been the weapon of Omaha’s mobs from the beginning. Early on, they were seemingly concerned with horse thieves, claim jumping and break-ins. In more recent times, mobs attacked people in Omaha because of their race and ethnicities. 50 years ago, mobs lashed out at businesses. Notably, there haven’t been any mob terror trials, monuments, or other acknowledgments of the acts of the masses in Omaha throughout its 160+ years of existence.
