Saratoga Belt Line Historic District

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.

At the intersection of N. 24th and Ames Ave. in 1941, you can see the parking lot of the A and P Super Market, as well as a streetcar traffic on Ames. On the right is the streetcar barn.

Overview of the History of the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District

J. F. Bloom Monuments Company, North Omaha, Nebraska — This was the JF Bloom factory in 1941. Located at Florence Boulevard and Ames Avenue, it was demolished in 2018.

Historic Businesses in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District

J. F. Bloom and Company: Located at Ames Avenue and Florence Blvd from 1914 to 2018
Saratoga House: Located at 2423 Ames Avenue from 1891 to 1926
Omaha Motor Car Company: Located at Ames Avenue and Florence Blvd from 1912 to 1913
Barish Motors Chrysler-Plymouth: Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue from 1934 to 1945.
Stroud Company: Located at Ames Avenue and Florence Blvd from 1905 to 1932
Imperial Sash and Door Company: Located at 4402 Florence Blvd from 1920 to 1943; Oliver Farm Equipment Company from 1943 to 1956; Lozier Corporation from 1956 to 1991; Omaha Housing Authority from 1991 to 2018; Ernie Chambers History Arts Humanities Museum from 2021 to present
Saratoga Springs Hotel: Located at N. 24th and Grand Avenue from 1857 to 1860; Grand Hotel from 1866 to 1891
Wolfson-Gerber Auto Sales: Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue from 1948 to 1955
North Star Theater aka the Ames Theatre: Located at N. 25th and Ames Avenue from 1925 to 1949; Ames Theater from 1950 to 1960; Kingsmark Theatre from 1958 to 1960; Crestwood Shop from 1960 to 1962; Shavers Supermarket from 1962 to 1966; Weeds Food Mart from 1966 to 1970; King Solomon’s Mines from 1970 to 1972; Run Johnny Run Youth Club in 1973; Black Odyssey Club from c1973 to 1976; and an unnamed warehouse from 1976 to present
Metropolitan Building and Loan Association: Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue from 1922 to 1967
La Rue Cafe and Restaurant: Located at 2305 Ames Avenue from 1916 to 1946
LaRue Barbershop: Located at 2309 Ames Avenue from 1919 to 1965
Lane Drug Store: Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue from 1897 to 1970
Borden’s Ice Cream Shop: Located at 24th and Ames Avenue from 1913 to 1951
Saratoga Brewery: Located near N. 16th and Commercial Avenue in 1854; moved and closed after 1880
Mitchell Investment Company: Located at 24th and Ames from 1918 to 1928
A & P Supermarket: Located at North 24th and Meredith from 1946 to 1957; Hinky Dinky from 1957 to 1968; building still standing
Blackburn Center / John F. Kennedy Recreation Center Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue from 1965 to 1970; building demolished in 1987
La Rue Scalp Specialist: Located at 2300 Ames Avenue
Suburban Theater:Located at 4414 North 24th Street from c.1910 to c.1920
Star Liquor Store: Located at 2414 Ames Avenue from 1931 to 1954
Spot Bar: Located at 2305 Ames Avenue from 1945 to 1954
Saratoga Stables: Located at 2501 Taylor Avenue in 1871; building still standing
Saratoga Laundry: Located at 4322 North 24th Street from 1911 to 1940; Omaha Towel and Linen Supply from 1940 to 1968
Johnson’s Hardware: Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue
Leslie System Hamburger Stand: Located at 4515 N. 24th Street from 1928 to 1945
Carlson Shoe and Dry Goods Company: Located at 4424 N. 24th Street from 1924 to 1934
R. Kulakofsky Grocery: Located at 2404 Ames Avenue from 1900 to 1924
Jacob A. Gross Grocery: Located at 2404 Ames Avenue from 1924 to 1943
R.F. Clary Real Estate Company: Located on the 2nd Floor, 2404 Ames Avenue from 1919 to 1924
Weaver Pres-Kloth Company: Located at 4426 Florence Blvd. from 1943 to 1972
Max I Walker Cleaners: Located at 2410 Ames Avenue from 1917 to 1969

This is a picture of the building at North 24th and Ames. Richard Orr took it in the 1950s to highlight the streetcar. Behind that, you can see the Druid Hall, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places; a cleaners; the Star Liquor Store; and LaRue's Barbershop. Johnson's was a Rexall Drug Store. — This is a picture of the building at North 24th and Ames. Richard Orr took it in the 1950s to highlight the streetcar. Behind that, you can see the Druid Hall, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places; Max I Walker cleaners; the Star Liquor Store; Johnson’s Hardware; and Lane Drug, a Rexall store.

Historic Organizations in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District

Saratoga School: Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue from 1857-1923 and at N. 24th and Meredith from 1923-2017; building still standing
Brownell Hall in North Omaha: Located at N. 24th and Grand Avenue from 1860-1863
Saratoga Fire Station (Former Omaha Fire Department Station 15): Located at 2202 N. 22nd Street from 1910-1938; rebuilt in 1938, building still standing
Druid Hall: Located at N. 25th and Ames Avenue in 1914; still standing and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Prairie Park Club: Located at N. 26th and Taylor Avenue from 1911 to 1983
Omaha Driving Park: Located near N. 16th and Commercial Avenue from 1860 to 1905
Metropolitan Building and Loan Association: Located near 24th and Ames Avenue from 1922 to 1963

Historic Churches in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District

Third Christian Science Church, 2118 Browne Street, Saratoga neighborhood, North Omaha, Nebraska — Third Christian Science Church was built at 2118 Browne Street in Saratoga in 1950. In the 1970s, it became home to the Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Pearl Memorial United Methodist Church: Located at N. 24th and Larimore Avenue from 1905 to 1916; at N. 24th and Ogden Avenue from 1918 to 2016
Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer: Located at N. 24th and Larimore Avenue from 1916 to 2006
Third Church Christ Scientist: Located at 2118 Browne Street from 1950 to 1979
Trinity Lutheran Church: Located at N. 25th Street and Ames Avenue from c.1884 to 1920; became the Omaha Public Library North Branch from 1921 to 1938; demolished afterwards.
Saratoga Congregational Church: Located at N. 25th and Ames Avenue from c.1860 to 1913

Historic Homes in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District

Erastus Beadle Home: Located near N. 16th and Sprague Streets in 1857; demolition date unknown
Stroud Mansion: Located at 5100 Florence Blvd. from 1909 to 1969
Rome Miller Mansion: Located at 4823 Florence Blvd. from 1898 to present

Historic Events in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District

YMCA Athletic Park, North Omaha, Nebraska — The YMCA Athletic Park opened on the northeast corner of N. 24th and Ames Avenue on June 10, 1899.

Other Historic Locations in the Saratoga Belt Line Historic District

Oak Chatham Train Station: Located N. 22nd and Belt Line Railway from 1881 to 1904
YMCA Athletic Park: Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue from 1899 to 1915; location of the third Saratoga School from 1916 to 1923; University of Omaha Science Department from 1923 to 1937
University of Omaha Football Field: Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue from 1923 to 1937
Omaha Street Railway Company Car Barn: Located at N. 22nd and Ames Avenue
Omaha and Council Bluffs Streetcar Company Barn: Located at N. 24th and Ames Avenue from 1899 to 1987