Category: society

• A History of North Omaha’s Stone Soul Picnic

  

  Black people in Omaha have celebrated, uplifted and empowered Black culture in the city for more than 150 years. Sometimes there are events and places that become synonymous with these celebrations. One of these happened for more than 25 years. This is a history of North Omaha’s Stone Soul Picnic. Before this Phenomenon Starting in […]

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  May 17, 2022

  21st century, African Americans, Black culture, Black organizations, Black spaces and places, Carter Lake, culture, events, historic preservation, Organizations, society

• A History of Police Brutality in Omaha

  

  This article is a history of police brutality in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1887 to present.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  March 14, 2022

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Activism, African Americans, Black people, Civil Rights Movement, crime, economics, government, history, Lost history, Near North Side, North Omaha, Omaha Police Department, Poindexter and we Langa, Politics, poverty, Race riot, racism, schools, Segregation, society, White people

• A History of Music in North Omaha

  

  This is a summary of a LOT of music in North Omaha over the last 150 years, including jazz, soul, blues, hip hop, gospel, pop, and so much more. Get introduced some of the people, places, events, and more from North Omaha’s musical history.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  January 6, 2022

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, African Americans, African Methodist Episcopal, Art, Baptist, Black churches, Black culture, Black educators, Black organizations, Black people, Black performers, Black spaces and places, Books, Buildings, Churches, Civil Rights Movement, Clubs, clubs, culture, government, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Jazz, Lost history, music, nightlife, religion, schools, Segregation, Social clubs, Social halls, Social services, society, theaters, Theaters, United Methodist, White flight, White people

• Biography of Dr. Craig Morris

  

  One African American dentist in Omaha was a civil rights advocate, economic justice activist, and medical leader in the community. Then he simply left North Omaha. This is a biography of his life in the community.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  November 7, 2020

  19th century, 20th century, 24th and Lake, American Legion, biography, Black dentists, Black leader, Clubs, Creighton, doctors, economics, Healthcare, Hospitals, Near North Side, Prince Hall Masons, Segregation

• A History of Omaha’s “Black Mayor”

  

  Since its founding in 1854, the City of Omaha has never had a publicly elected Black mayor. For a period in from the 1930s through the 1940s though, there was a Black mayor competition held. This is a history of that position.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  September 21, 2020

  20th century, Black leader, Black organizations, Black spaces and places, culture, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Lost history, Organizations, Segregation, Social clubs, society

• Notable African American Women in Omaha History

  Black women in Omaha have done all kinds of work as mothers, businesswomen, teachers, ministers, politicians, and in other roles to make the community great. This is a history of some of the notable African American women in North Omaha.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  August 27, 2020

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Activism, Americans, biography, Black athletes, Black businesspeople, Black leader, Black people, Black politicians, Education, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Legislators, Lost history, society

• A History of the Omaha Crèche

  

  This is a history of the Omaha Crèche, which was located on North 52nd and Pratt Streets for a half century.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  March 29, 2020

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, architecture, Benson, Buildings, Children’s entertainment, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, poverty, Social services, society

• A History of the Carter White Lead Company Factory in East Omaha

  

  For 40 years, one plant poisoned North Omaha with heinous disregard. This is a history of the Carter White Lead Company factory in East Omaha.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  January 20, 2020

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, architecture, Carter Lake, Demolished buildings, Demolished buildings, East Omaha, economics, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, industry, Manufacturing, Missouri River, parks, Public health

• History of Businesses Owned By African Americans in Omaha

  

  This is a history of Black-owned businesses, African American entrepreneurship and more in North Omaha since 1854.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  December 28, 2019

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, biography, Black businesses, Black leader, Black people, business, culture, History of Nebraska, Lost history, racism, Segregation, society

• A Biography of Rodney S. Wead

  

  This is a biography of North Omaha community leader Rodney S. Wead (b. 1935).

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  December 11, 2019

  20th century, 21st century, biography, Black businesses, Black organizations, Black people, History of Nebraska, Near North Side, poverty, racism, religion, Social services, society

• History of Creighton University

  

  This is a history of Creighton University, including notable people, places and events throughout its history.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  December 4, 2019

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architects, architecture, Buildings, Catholics, Creighton, Cuming Street, Demolished buildings, Healthcare, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Near North Side, North 24th Street, North 30th, racism, religion

• A Biography of Helen Mahammitt

  

  This is a biography of Helen Mahammit (1869-1950), a leading African American caterer, chef and teacher in Omaha for 45 years.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  September 4, 2019

  19th century, 20th century, biography, Black businesses, Black people, Caterers, historic preservation, Lost history, racism, society

• A History of the Hilltop Projects in North Omaha

  

  This is a history of the third public housing projects built in North Omaha called the Hilltop Homes.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  July 29, 2019

  20th century, African Americans, Architects, architecture, Buildings, civic infrastructure, crime, Demolished buildings, economics, ethnic groups, Historic houses, Lost history, Near North Side, North 30th, poverty, Public housing, Segregation, society

• A History of the Pleasantview Projects in North Omaha

  

  In 1951, OHA announced development of the projects on both the east and west sides of North 30th Street extending from Burdette south to Parker Street. Completely demolished in 2010, today the ultra-modern, mixed income Highlander neighborhood sits on the 15 acres once here, along with the Charles Drew Health Center. This article is a […]

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  July 29, 2019

  20th century, 21st century, African Americans, Architects, architecture, Buildings, civic infrastructure, crime, Demolished buildings, economics, Historic houses, Lost history, Near North Side, North 30th, poverty, Public housing, Segregation, society

• History of Segregated Hospitals in Omaha

  

  Omaha was de facto segregated for more than 75 years. Jim Crow affected employment, education, housing, religious institutions, and more throughout the city. It also meant that African Americans would routinely and frequently be denied healthcare throughout the city. This is a history of Black hospitals in Omaha, Nebraska.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  July 24, 2019

  19th century, 20th century, Black organizations, Black people, Buildings, civic infrastructure, Demolished buildings, economics, Healthcare, historic preservation, Hospitals, Lost history, Near North Side, Public health, Segregation, White flight

• A History of the Hillcrest Mansion in North Omaha

  

  This is the story of a mansion in North Omaha built as a home to a wealthy real estate mogul that eventually became the site of a decades-long Black-owned business.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  July 20, 2019

  20th century, 21st century, architecture, Black businesses, Black people, Black spaces and places, Demolished buildings, Historic houses, Lost history, Restaurants, society

• A History of the People’s Hospital in North Omaha

  

  For almost a century, it was widely known that hospitals in Omaha were for whites only. Defacto segregation made doctors apply for birth certificates at hospitals where African American mothers weren’t allowed to birth their babies, while African American doctors weren’t allowed to work in most hospitals until the 1920s, and even then they could […]

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  March 26, 2019

  20th century, Black organizations, Buildings, doctors, Healthcare, Hospitals, Lost history, Segregation

• A Biography of Dr. John A. Singleton, DDS

  

  This is a biography of Dr. John A. Singleton, DDS, who represented North Omaha’s Ninth District in the Nebraska Legislature from 1926 to 1928.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  March 22, 2019

  20th century, Black politicians, government, Healthcare, Legislators

• A Biography of Dr. Aaron M. McMillan

  

  Dr. Aaron M. McMillan was a representative from North Omaha’s Ninth District to the Nebraska Legislature from 1928 to 1930.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  March 22, 2019

  20th century, Black politicians, Churches, Healthcare, Hospitals, Legislators

• A History of Omaha’s Chinatown by Ryan Roenfeld

  

  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!

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  March 5, 2019

  19th century, 20th century, 21st century, architecture, biography, Buildings, business, crime, culture, Demolished buildings, economics, ethnic groups, Food, historic preservation, Lost history, neighborhoods, North 16th Street, Organizations, Politics, poverty, racism, religion, Restaurants, Ryan Roenfeld, Segregation, society, storytelling

• The Lynching of Will Brown

  

  This is a summary of the lynching of Will Brown in 1919.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  February 19, 2019

  20th century, Americans, biography, Black people, crime, ethnic groups, government, Lost history, Omaha Police Department, Politics, Race riot, racism, society

• A Biography of Silas Robbins

  

  This is a bio of Silas Robbins, the first African American lawyer in Omaha.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  February 19, 2019

  1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, 20th century, African Americans, biography, Black people, Law, Near North Side, Politics, Segregation, society

• A History of the 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.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  January 31, 2019

  20th century, African Americans, Black organizations, civic infrastructure, historic preservation, Lost history, Near North Side, Organizations, Segregation, society

• 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 […]

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  January 28, 2019

  20th century, 21st century, Activism, African Americans, Civil Rights Movement, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Near North Side, Organizations, Politics, Segregation, society

• A History of the Salvation Army Hospital in North Omaha

  

  The Omaha Salvation Army Women’s Hospital was home to many babies in the city’s history. This is a history about the facility.

  Adam F.C. Fletcher

  January 16, 2019

  19th century, 20th century, architecture, Buildings, culture, Demolished buildings, economics, Healthcare, Hospitals, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, North 24th Street, poverty, Public health, society