List of historic companies in Omaha facts for kids

Omaha, Nebraska, has a rich history, and many of its oldest companies have played a big part in shaping the city. These businesses started long ago, some even before Nebraska became a state! They helped Omaha grow from a small settlement into the bustling city it is today. Some of these companies are still around, while others have changed names, merged with other businesses, or closed down. But all of them have left their mark on Omaha's past.

Early Businesses and Banking

Omaha's first companies often focused on basic needs like banking, trade, and services. These early businesses were essential for people settling in the area.

Pioneering Banks

• American National Bank was founded in 1856 as "The Bank of Florence." This makes it one of the oldest banks in the region.
• First National of Nebraska started in 1857. It was first known as the Kountze Brothers Bank, named after its founders, Herman and Augustus Kountze. These banks helped people and businesses manage their money as Omaha grew.

Other Early Companies

• NP Dodge Company began in 1855. This company has been involved in real estate and other services for over 160 years.
• Younkers, a department store, also opened its doors in 1856. It was a popular place for people to shop for many years.
• Wells Fargo started in 1852. While known for its stagecoaches and banking services across the West, it also had a presence in Omaha, connecting the city to other parts of the country.

Food and Drink Industry

Omaha became a major center for food production, especially meatpacking and brewing. Many historic companies were part of this important industry.

Meatpacking and Food Giants

• Cudahy Packing Company was founded in 1887. It was a huge meatpacking business that helped make Omaha famous for its stockyards. While it's no longer in Omaha, it was a big employer for many years.
• Campbell Soup Company started in 1869. Although it's not in Omaha anymore, its presence shows how important food processing was to the city.
• ConAgra Brands began in 1919 and is still a major food company today. They make many popular food products you might see in grocery stores.

Historic Breweries

Omaha also had a thriving brewing industry.

• Krug Brewery was one of the earliest, founded in 1848. It operated for many years before closing in 1987.
• Metz Brewery started in 1856. Like Krug, it was an important part of Omaha's early economy but is no longer functioning.
• Storz Brewing Company began in 1876 and was another well-known local brewery. It closed permanently in 2015.
• Willow Springs Bottling Company started in 1866. It's now known as "Cornhusker Beverage," showing how some old companies adapt and continue under new names.

Transportation and Utilities

As Omaha grew, so did its need for better transportation and public services.

Railroads and Transit

• Union Pacific Railroad Company was founded in 1862. It's one of the most famous railroads in American history, playing a huge role in connecting the East and West coasts. Its headquarters are still in Omaha.
• Burlington Northern Railroad was officially founded in 1970. However, its roots go back much further, to 1848, through various mergers. It later became part of the BNSF Railway.
• Metro Area Transit began in 1972. This company provides public transportation, like buses, for people in and around Omaha.

Public Services

• Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.) was established in 1913. It provides natural gas and water services to homes and businesses in Omaha.
• Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) started in 1946. OPPD is responsible for providing electricity to the Omaha area.

Other Notable Businesses

Omaha has also been home to a variety of other important companies, from insurance to retail.

• Dun & Bradstreet was founded in 1841. This company provides important business information and insights.
• Equitable Life Assurance Society began in 1859 and is now known as "Equitable Holdings, Inc." It's a major insurance company.
• New York Life Insurance Company also started early, in 1845, and has had a presence in Omaha.
• Mutual Benefit Life was founded in 1845 but was dissolved in 2001.
• Borsheim's Fine Jewelry opened in 1870 and is still a very well-known jewelry store today.
• Omaha World-Herald is Omaha's main newspaper, founded in 1885 by Gilbert M. Hitchcock as the Omaha Evening World. It later merged with the Omaha Herald.
• Peter Kiewit Sons started in 1884. This company is a large construction and engineering firm that has built many important projects.
• Physician's Mutual Insurance Company was founded in 1902 by Edwin E. Elliott, providing insurance services.
• NCR Corporation began in 1884. While no longer in Omaha, it was an important technology company.
• Qwest was founded in 1996 and was a telecommunications company. It was acquired by CenturyLink in 2011.
• Packaging Corporation of America started in 1959, focusing on packaging products.
• J.P. Cooke Company began in 1887 and specializes in making stamps and marking products.
• Omaha Country Club was founded in 1899, providing a place for recreation and social gatherings.
• Forest Lawn Memorial Park started in 1885 and is a historic cemetery in Omaha.

See also

• History of Omaha
• Historic hospitals in Omaha