Jewell Building facts for kids
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Jewell Building
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 Location in Nebraska
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| Location | Omaha, NE |
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| Built | 1923 |
| Built by | Lof, John & Sons, Builder |
| Architect | Henninger, F.A. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001091 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1983 |
The Jewell Building is a special historic building in North Omaha, Nebraska. It was built in 1923. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's important to the history of the United States.
For over 40 years, the Jewell Building was home to the famous Dreamland Ballroom. Many legendary jazz and blues musicians played here. Some of these stars include Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lionel Hampton.
The building is also an official Landmark for the City of Omaha. Places like the Dreamland Ballroom were very important for sharing music and art. They were also how musicians, both local and famous, earned their living before television became popular.
Building History
The Jewell Building is located at 2221-2225 North 24th Street in the Near North Side area of Omaha. It was built in 1923 by James Jewell Sr. He was a very important person in the local African-American community.
The building was designed by architect Frederick A. Henninger. It was built in a style called vernacular Georgian Revival style. This means it looked like older, traditional American homes. The first floor had shops, and the second floor was home to the Dreamland Ballroom.
During World War II, in 1945, the Dreamland Ballroom was used as a USO center. It provided a place for African-American soldiers to relax and enjoy themselves. The ballroom continued to host music performances until 1965.
In the early 1980s, the building was repaired and made new again by the Omaha Economic Development Council. The City of Omaha named it a landmark on September 9, 1980. It was then added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. For some years, the building was used for offices and even had two apartments.
Dreamland Ballroom
The Dreamland Ballroom was on the second floor of the Jewell Building. It was the most important nightclub in Omaha for big bands and jazz music.
James Jewell Jr. helped book many famous musicians. He even booked the original Nat King Cole Trio to play there. Other amazing performers included Dinah Washington, Earl Hines, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lionel Hampton. Many local Omaha music stars also played at Dreamland, like Preston Love, Anna Mae Winburn, and Lloyd Hunter. The ballroom closed its doors in the 1960s.
James Jewell Sr. was a leader in the African-American community. In the 1950s, he invited civil rights activist Whitney Young to speak at Dreamland Hall. Young talked about the Civil Rights Movement, which worked for equal rights for all people. Whitney Young later became the national director of the Urban League, a major civil rights organization.
See also
- Culture in North Omaha, Nebraska
- List of jazz clubs
- Music in Omaha
