Automobile Row (Omaha, Nebraska) facts for kids
Automobile Row was a special area in Midtown Omaha, Nebraska. It was a place where people could easily buy and fix cars. Early on, it was thought to be from 18th to 21st Street along Farnam Street. Later, it was mainly from 20th to about 26th Street. This area had many car dealerships, repair shops, and stores selling car parts.
A Special Place for Cars
Around 1900, "auto rows" started appearing in many cities across the United States. Car companies wanted to create easy-to-find places where people could shop for cars and get them repaired. Omaha's Farnam Street was chosen for its Automobile Row right from the start. It was known as one of the best places to find cars between Chicago and San Francisco. In 1906, there were five dealerships, making it the top spot for car sales in Omaha.
At its busiest time, Automobile Row sold and repaired cars from as many as 60 different brands. Some famous car brands that had showrooms there include Ford, Buick, Fiat, and Cadillac. Other brands that were once there, but don't exist anymore, include Hudson, Hupmobile, and Pierce-Arrow. Today, you can still find some car-related businesses on this street, but no car dealerships are left.
Some of the buildings from Automobile Row are very old and important. They have been considered for a special list called the National Register of Historic Places. This includes the Peerless Motor Company building at 2562 Harney Street and the Hupmobile Building at 2523 Farnam Street. Interestingly, the Hupmobile Building is said to be the only Hupmobile dealership still standing in the U.S. today.
Fun Events and Shows
The Omaha Autodealers Show Association held many exciting events on Automobile Row. One popular event was an annual "garage show" and carnival. It was famous for its bright lights and attracted many people interested in cars. A national magazine for car dealers once wrote that the promise of good harvests in Nebraska made all car dealers expect record sales that fall.
