Benson, Nebraska facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benson
Neighborhood
Downtown Benson on North 60th Avenue Maple Street
Country	United States
Area
• Total	2.14 sq mi (5.55 km2)
• Land	2.14 sq mi (5.55 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Population  (2010)
• Total	9,137
• Density	4,270/sq mi (1,646.3/km2)

Benson is a historic neighborhood located in North Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska. It was first planned in 1887 and became part of the City of Omaha in 1917. Today, Benson is known for its unique shops, restaurants, and historic buildings.

Benson: A Historic Neighborhood

Early Days and Growth

Benson was founded by a man named Erastus Benson. He was a businessman who bought and sold land. He also invested in new inventions, like the phonograph and the Kinetoscope, which was an early movie viewer.

In 1887, Erastus Benson bought about 900 acres (3.6 km2) of farmland. He then divided this land into building lots, creating a new community. He first called it Benson Place, but later changed the name to simply Benson. This new town was about 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Omaha.

Joining the City of Omaha

In the early 1900s, the city of Omaha started adding nearby towns to its area. The people of Benson knew their town might be next. They wanted to make sure Benson had good public services, like a city hall and fire station. They worried Omaha might not focus on their needs after the annexation.

So, in late 1915, Benson built a new building that served as both a city hall and a fire station. This way, Omaha would have to take on the costs of these improvements once Benson became part of the larger city. On May 25, 1917, Benson officially joined Omaha. At that time, Benson was 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) and had about 5,000 residents.

Fun and History at Krug Park

Benson was once home to Krug Park, a popular amusement park. It was located at 2936 North 52nd Street. In 1930, the park experienced a serious roller coaster accident. This event was the worst roller coaster accident in the United States up to that year.

Exploring Benson's Historic Buildings

The Benson Commercial Historic District is a special area in Benson. It is centered along Maple Street between North 59th and North 63rd Streets. This district was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2020. This means its buildings are important for their history and architecture.

Many buildings in Benson are historic. They include shops, government buildings, schools, and homes. Some of these are part of the historic district.

Famous Landmarks to See

• Benson High School, located at 5120 Maple Street, is an important educational building.
• The Masonic Temple at 5901 Maple Street was built in 1926. It is a three-story building with a classic architectural style.
• The Bank of Benson, found at 6108 Maple Street, is another notable historic structure.
• The Benson U.S. Post Office at 6223 Maple Street also stands as a historic landmark.

Other historic commercial buildings in the district include:

• Commercial Building, 5913 Maple Street
• E.H. Olson Building, 5918 Maple Street
• Commercial Building, 6016 Maple Street
• Commercial Building, 6020 Maple Street
• Commercial Building, 6067 Maple Street
• John Sorenson Building, 6104 Maple Street
• Jas. A. Howard Building, 6105 Maple Street
• Commercial Building, 6115 Maple Street
• Commercial Building, 6117 Maple Street
• B.H. Post Building, 6214 Maple Street