North Omaha, Nebraska facts for kids

North Omaha is a community in Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States. It's located just north of Downtown Omaha. Its borders are Cuming and Dodge Streets to the south, Interstate 680 to the north, North 72nd Street to the west, and the Missouri River and Carter Lake, Iowa to the east.

This area includes some of Omaha's oldest neighborhoods, like the Near North Side, Bemis Park, Saratoga, and Florence. It's famous for being the site of the Mormon Pioneers' Winter Quarters and the Mormon Temple. North Omaha has been a home for many European immigrants and has a very important African-American community. It's also the birthplace of Malcolm X. Some key landmarks here include the Bank of Florence, Prospect Hill Cemetery, and the Fort Omaha Historical District.

In 2006, North Omaha gained national attention when State Senator Ernie Chambers suggested dividing the Omaha school system into three parts. Some people thought this would create separate school systems based on where people lived. This idea was later stopped.

History of North Omaha

North Omaha's recorded history goes back to 1812 with the founding of Fort Lisa. The area was home to early trading posts and, in 1846, became the site of Cutler's Park and Winter Quarters, important stops for pioneers. This whole area eventually became part of Omaha, Nebraska.

When Omaha City was founded in 1854, its main area was around what is now downtown. Prospect Hill Cemetery, a North Omaha landmark, was started in 1856. It's the resting place for many of Omaha's early leaders, soldiers from Fort Omaha, immigrants, and many Black residents.

Many towns were founded around Omaha, and some of them are now part of North Omaha. These include Florence, East Omaha, and Saratoga. Scriptown was an area claimed by early lawmakers. Casey's Row was a small neighborhood where Black railroad workers lived. Squatter's Row was an area inhabited by people who built homes without owning the land. Gophertown was an Irish settlement. The towns of Benson and Dundee, also in North Omaha, became Omaha suburbs in the 1880s. Fort Omaha was a U.S. Army base built in 1878. The arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad also helped North Omaha grow.

By 1900, many older neighborhoods in North Omaha were established, such as Bemis Park, Gifford Park, Gold Coast, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Walnut Hill, and Orchard Hill.

The huge Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition was a world's fair held in North Omaha in 1898. It brought over a million visitors to the area around Kountze Park. The Expo included performances by Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. In 1909, Omaha University opened in the Kountze Place neighborhood.

Perhaps the most important community in North Omaha was the Near North Side. This neighborhood started in the 1860s as a home for German and Irish immigrants. Later, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and African American families from the South also moved there. North 24th Street and North 16th Street were busy centers for businesses and social life.

From the 1920s to the 1950s, North 24th Street was known as a "Street of Dreams" where African-American culture thrived. It was home to places like the Dreamland Ballroom and saw the start of groups like the Hamitic League of the World. Omaha also had early chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Urban League. Famous writers like Wallace Thurman and Tillie Olsen grew up here. Malcolm X was born in this neighborhood during this time.

After changes in the railroad and meatpacking industries, many jobs were lost, leading to poverty and social challenges. In the 1960s and 70s, there were several major events of civil unrest along the North 24th Street area. One happened after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968. With less tax money due to job losses, the city didn't invest as much in these neighborhoods. This led to slower police response times and less funding for education and youth programs. A 1966 documentary film called A Time for Burning showed the racial tensions that caused many white families to move away. This film featured a young Ernie Chambers, who later became the longest-serving State Senator in Nebraska's history.

The construction of the North Omaha Freeway in the 1970s also greatly affected the area, causing housing loss and other problems. However, North Omaha has not seen such widespread unrest since 1970.

In the 1990s, the Omaha Housing Authority tore down the Logan Fontenelle Housing Project. This project was built in the 1930s to provide better housing for working families. But by the late 20th century, it became known for safety concerns and crime.

Notable People from North Omaha

North Omaha has been the home or birthplace of many important people. These include author Tillie Olsen, who wrote about working-class women; Whitney Young, a key civil rights leader; State Senator Ernie Chambers; actor John Beasley; and actress Gabrielle Union. Malcolm X was born here in the early 1920s, though his family moved when he was very young.

Musicians like Wynonie Harris, Preston Love, and Buddy Miles also lived in North Omaha. Businesswoman Cathy Hughes is from here. The community has also produced several sports stars, including Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, football players Johnny Rodgers and Gale Sayers, and basketball player Bob Boozer.

Landmarks in North Omaha

North Omaha has many historical and modern landmarks because of its rich history. Many buildings here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or are special Omaha Landmarks. These include the 1856 Bank of Florence, which is Omaha's oldest standing building. The 1892 Florence Boulevard is part of a grand plan for Omaha's streets. The 1897 Sherman is Omaha's oldest standing apartment building.

After a tornado in 1913, African-American community leader Jack Broomfield asked architect Clarence W. Wigington to design the Broomfield Rowhouse in 1913. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

Architecture in North Omaha

Many houses in North Omaha were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s in styles like Queen Anne, Arts and Crafts, and Classical Revival. There are also Greek Revival commercial buildings and a Spanish Renaissance Revival church. Buildings from the 20th century, like those in the Prairie School style and by architect Thomas Rogers Kimball, show more modern designs.

Community and Race Relations

North Omaha is sometimes seen as a challenging area by some, but it's a community with a strong spirit. Local reports show that about 71% of the population is Black. While there have been many positive efforts to improve North Omaha, local news often focuses on dramatic stories about racial and economic challenges.

History of Civil Rights

Throughout its history, North Omaha has experienced racial tensions, similar to other growing industrial cities that attracted many new immigrants and migrants. After World War I, social tensions, including competition for jobs and housing, led to events like the Red Summer, where there were conflicts between white and Black communities in many cities.

Community members have been active in the fight for civil rights from the 1920s through the 1970s. During the 1960s and 1970s, large protests and local activism became common.

The early civil rights movement in North Omaha began around 1912, when residents started a local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 1928, the first Urban League chapter in the western United States was founded in North Omaha. Both organizations are still active today.

Some industrial unions in Omaha, which had previously excluded Black workers, later became forces for change. In the 1940s, student and youth activism in North Omaha led to the creation of unique groups like Creighton University's DePorres Club (started in 1947) and the Black Association for Nationalism Through Unity (BANTU), popular in the 1960s. In 1963, the Citizens Civic Committee for Civil Liberties rallied to demand equal rights for all African Americans in Omaha.

While the Omaha civil rights movement didn't achieve all its goals, it successfully raised awareness about the unfair treatment faced by African Americans in Omaha. From the film A Time for Burning to Senator Ernie Chambers' recent actions, the civil rights movement has had a lasting impact. For example, hiring practices changed in the police department and city government, allowing more African Americans to gain positions.

Community Development in North Omaha

North Omaha has many important groups and government programs that work on community development, educational assistance, and low-income housing. There are also private and public efforts to help local businesses grow.

Housing Initiatives

Path Concept Homes is a project that focuses on urban development in residential areas. It's funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This plan aims to create consumer-friendly and environmentally conscious homes for low-income and minority families. Other groups helping with housing in North Omaha include Holy Name Housing Corporation and Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc.

Programs for Children and Youth

Many youth organizations and programs serve North Omaha children and youth. The North Omaha B.E.A.R.S. Youth and Sports club combines sports with academics and social skills. The Hope Center and Hope Skate offer recreational and social activities for young people. The Safe Haven Community Center is a youth center. Other groups like the North Omaha Boys & Girls Club and Girls Inc. also serve the area. The NorthStar Foundation focuses its efforts on young males.

Health Programs

North Omaha is home to several medical places, including Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The Charles Drew Health Center provides various social services to low-income community members.

North Omaha was affected by pollution from the American Smelting and Refining Company (Asarco). Because of this, over 8,000 acres in North Omaha were placed on the Superfund National Priorities List by the Environmental Protection Agency for cleanup. As of 2003, 290 acres had been cleaned.

Today, the Lead-Safe Omaha Coalition focuses on lead safety in older homes. They offer lead screenings, workshops on lead poisoning hazards, and information to help residents make their homes safer.

Economic Growth

The Omaha Star newspaper has long been a source of jobs and positive news in North Omaha. The North Omaha Development Project, led by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, aims to bring business and community leaders together to boost economic growth. It uses city, federal, and private funding to support public improvements and business development. The North Omaha Business Park, located where the Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects used to be, is a 15-acre development that houses several businesses.

Culture in North Omaha

North Omaha has a wide range of cultural institutions, events, and activities that are central to the community. In the 20th century, it was home to important cultural venues like the Druid Hall and the Dreamland Ballroom, which hosted many national jazz talents and local legends like saxophonist Preston Love. Love said that "North Omaha used to be a hub for black jazz musicians."

Early North Omaha jazz bands included the Dan Desdunes Band and the Sam Turner Orchestra. In 1931, Lloyd Hunter's Serenaders became the first Omaha band to record their music. Nat Towles was a famous band leader based in Omaha. Another notable musician was Anna Mae Winburn, who led the Cotton Club Boys.

North Omaha's music scene also produced nationally known African-American musicians. Influential drummer Buddy Miles grew up and played with Preston Love. Funk band leader Lester Abrams is also from North Omaha. Omaha-born Wynonie Harris, one of the founders of rock and roll, started in North Omaha clubs. Lomie Washburn, also from North Omaha, wrote songs and sang backup for famous artists like Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin. Many of these musicians have been honored in the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.

North Omaha hosts several important annual events that celebrate its community and history. Native Omaha Days is a special cultural tradition that brings together members of the city's African-American community every two years. Other yearly activities include the Juneteenth Parade, the Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow, the Omaha Blues, Jazz & Gospel Festival, and Florence Days.

Religion in North Omaha

With its long history of people moving in from different places, North Omaha has a rich variety of religious groups. This includes its Mormon roots in Florence and the historic Jewish synagogues built by European immigrants in the Near North Side. Several African-American churches are in the area, such as the historic St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church and Salem Baptist Church. The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection is Nebraska's only fully integrated Episcopal church. The Holy Family Catholic Church is Omaha's oldest surviving Catholic church. St. Cecilia Cathedral, designed by Thomas Rogers Kimball, took over fifty years to build. You can also see evidence of the community's Jewish history at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery or the Golden Hill Cemetery.

Education in North Omaha

Educational institutions in North Omaha include Creighton University, Metropolitan Community College (Omaha) at Fort Omaha, and the Charles B. Washington Branch of the Omaha Public Library. The area is served by Omaha Public Schools, including Omaha North High Magnet School. Tech High School, once the largest technical education high school in the western United States, closed in 1983.

In 1909, Omaha University was founded along North 24th Street. The Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary was also once located in the Kountze Place neighborhood, closing in 1947.

Transportation in North Omaha

North Omaha has several main roads. Major roads running north and south include Abbott Drive, North 16th Street (Sherman Avenue), North 24th Street ("The Deuce"), North 30th Street, and North 72nd Street. Other important streets like Fontenelle Boulevard and Saddle Creek Road run in various directions.

Many streets in the area are named after important people or military interests. North 24th Street is often seen as representing North Omaha's history and future. It was once called Omaha's "Street of Dreams" because of the hope it held for its early African American, Eastern European, and Jewish residents.

Florence Boulevard, Lincoln Boulevard, and Fontenelle Boulevard are three important parts of Omaha's boulevard system located in North Omaha.

Military Road, first laid out in 1854 by the U.S. Army, is a historic road. General John J. Pershing Drive is named after a successful World War I U.S. Army leader. Sherman Avenue (North 16th Street) is named after William Tecumseh Sherman, a U.S. Army general. Fort Street is named for Fort Omaha.

Sorensen Parkway, a modern road, was named after an Omaha mayor. It was built along an old railroad bed. U.S. Highway 75 runs along North 30th Street. Interstate 680 is the northern bypass freeway that forms a boundary for North Omaha. The Mormon Bridge is located on this stretch.

Geography of North Omaha

North Omaha's history and identity are closely tied to its geography. Located west of the Missouri River and next to Carter Lake, it includes several streams, small lakes, cliffs, and artesian springs.

Neighborhoods in North Omaha

North Omaha has many historic and substantial neighborhoods. Over the years, it has been home to Irish, German, Jewish, Lithuanian, and other European immigrants, as well as African-American families who moved from the Southeast. The African-American community in North Omaha has thrived for over 100 years.

Demographics of North Omaha

According to the 2000 United States Census, North Omaha had a population of 43,621 people. About 59% were African-American, 29% White, 5% Hispanic, and 7% other groups.

In 2003, the African-American population in Omaha was estimated at 52,273, making up 13.1% of the city's total population. African Americans are the largest minority group in Omaha.

Images for kids

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  Omaha Star office at the northeast corner of 24th & Grant Streets

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  Webster Telephone Exchange Building, also used for the 20th-century Great Plains Black Museum

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  Captain Alfonza Davis commemorative plaque; a Tuskegee Airman from North Omaha

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  General Crook House at Fort Omaha

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  Now-closed Mister C's, a local landmark restaurant

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  Historical marker for Omaha's pioneer Prospect Hill Cemetery

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  Historical marker for Fort Omaha

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  North Omaha above Eppley Airfield and Levi Carter Park