North Omaha, Nebraska facts for kids
North Omaha is a lively community area in Omaha, Nebraska. It's located just north of Downtown Omaha. The area is known for its rich history and diverse neighborhoods. It stretches from Cuming and Dodge Streets in the south to Interstate 680 in the north. To the west is North 72nd Street, and to the east are the Missouri River and Carter Lake, Iowa.
North Omaha is home to some of Omaha's oldest neighborhoods, like the Near North Side, Bemis Park, Saratoga, and Florence. It's a place where many different groups of people have settled throughout history. This includes the Mormon Pioneers who stayed at Winter Quarters, European immigrants, and a very important African-American community. Famous people like Malcolm X were born here. You can also find important places like the Bank of Florence, Prospect Hill Cemetery, and the Fort Omaha Historical District.
In 2006, North Omaha was in the news when State Senator Ernie Chambers suggested a change to the Omaha school system. This idea would have divided the schools into three separate systems. Some people worried this might create schools that were mostly separated by where people lived. The plan was later stopped.
| Community area | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 41°18′N 95°59′W / 41.300°N 95.983°W |
| Country |  United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Douglas |
| City | Omaha |
| Demographics (2000) | |
| Population | 43,621 |
| African American | 59% |
| White | 29% |
| Hispanic | 5% |
| Other | 7% |
| Website | |
| North Omaha History | |
Contents
A Look at North Omaha's Past
North Omaha has a long history, starting way back in 1812. That's when Manuel Lisa founded Fort Lisa. Later, Cabanne's Trading Post was here from the 1820s to the 1840s. In 1846, two important settlements, Cutler's Park and Winter Quarters, were established. All these places eventually became part of what we know as Omaha, Nebraska.
When Omaha City was officially founded in 1854, it was mostly around the downtown area. Prospect Hill Cemetery, a famous spot in North Omaha, was started in 1856. It's on a high hill and is the resting place for many of Omaha's early leaders, soldiers from Fort Omaha, immigrants, and many African Americans who worked in the city.
In the early days of Omaha, several smaller towns grew up around it. Many of these are now part of North Omaha, including Florence, East Omaha, and Saratoga. These towns were settled soon after Omaha. Fort Omaha was a U.S. Army base built in 1878. The arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad and its train yards helped North Omaha grow even more.
A huge event called the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition took place in North Omaha in 1898. It was like a big world's fair that attracted over a million visitors! It was held near Kountze Park. The Expo also featured exciting shows, including Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. In 1909, Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha) opened in the Redick Mansion in the Kountze Place neighborhood.
One of the most important neighborhoods in North Omaha was the Near North Side. It 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 moved there. North 24th Street and North 16th Street were busy centers for shops and community life.
From the 1920s to the 1950s, North 24th Street was known as a "Street of Dreams." It was a vibrant hub for African-American culture. Places like the Dreamland Ballroom hosted many events. Important groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Urban League had early chapters here. Famous writer Wallace Thurman and feminist author Tillie Olsen grew up in this area. Malcolm X was also born in this neighborhood during this time.
After the 1950s, many jobs were lost in the railroad and meatpacking industries. This led to economic challenges and social changes. In the 1960s and 70s, there were some difficult times along the North 24th Street area. One such event happened after the passing of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. With fewer jobs, the city faced challenges in funding for schools and community programs. A 1966 film called A Time for Burning showed some of the community's challenges. This film featured a young Ernie Chambers, who later became a long-serving State Senator.
In the 1970s, building the North Omaha Freeway also changed the area. Some neighborhoods lost many homes and saw an increase in problems. However, North Omaha has worked hard to overcome these challenges. In the 1990s, the Logan Fontenelle Housing Project was taken down. It was replaced with new developments to improve the community.
Famous People from North Omaha
North Omaha has been the home or birthplace of many well-known people. These include author Tillie Olsen, civil rights leader Whitney Young, State Senator Ernie Chambers, actor John Beasley, and actress Gabrielle Union. Malcolm X was born here.
Musicians like singer Wynonie Harris, saxophonist Preston Love, and drummer Buddy Miles also lived in North Omaha. Businesswoman Cathy Hughes is from here. Many sports stars also grew up in the community, such as Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, football player Johnny Rodgers, Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, NFL player Ahman Green, and boxing champion Terence Crawford. Basketball player Bob Boozer is also from North Omaha.
Important Landmarks
North Omaha has many historic and modern landmarks. Some buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Bank of Florence from 1856, which is Omaha's oldest standing building. Also, Florence Boulevard from 1892, part of a grand plan for Omaha's streets, and the Sherman from 1897, Omaha's oldest apartment building.
After a big tornado in 1913, community leader Jack Broomfield asked architect Clarence W. Wigington to design the Broomfield Rowhouse. This building is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
North Omaha Neighborhoods
North Omaha has over 50 historic neighborhoods. Some of the oldest were established between 1856 and 1900. These include Bemis Park, Gifford Park, Gold Coast, Kountze Place, Miller Park, Walnut Hill, and Orchard Hill.
Some neighborhoods, like Saratoga and Florence, were once small towns before becoming part of Omaha. Several North Omaha neighborhoods are recognized as historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the 24th and Lake Historic District, Benson Downtown Historic District, and Fort Omaha Historic District.
Building Styles
You can see many different building styles in North Omaha. Houses from the late 1800s and early 1900s feature Queen Anne, Arts and Crafts, and Romanesque Revival designs. There are also Greek Revival commercial buildings and a Spanish Renaissance Revival church. More modern styles like the Prairie School are also present.
Community and Fairness
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Like many communities, North Omaha has faced challenges. Sometimes, local news has focused on these difficulties. However, many people are working to make North Omaha a better place.
There have been times in history when different groups of people in Omaha faced tensions. This happened in many growing cities that attracted new residents. Community members have worked hard for civil rights from the 1920s through the 1970s. During the 1960s and 1970s, people organized protests to demand equal rights.
The civil rights movement in North Omaha began early. In 1912, a local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded. In 1928, the first Urban League chapter in the western United States started in North Omaha. Both organizations are still active today.
Student groups like Creighton University's DePorres Club (started in 1947) and the Black Association for Nationalism Through Unity (BANTU) also worked for change. In 1963, the Citizens Civic Committee for Civil Liberties rallied for equal rights for all African Americans in Omaha. These efforts helped raise awareness about unfairness and led to positive changes, like new hiring practices in the police department and city government.
Helping the Community Grow
North Omaha has many groups and programs that help the community. These include organizations focused on community development, educational assistance, and affordable homes. There are also projects to help local businesses grow.
Homes for Families
Path Concept Homes is a project that builds new homes in a residential area. It's funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These homes are designed to be good for families and the environment. They are sold to families with lower incomes and minority families. Other groups like Holy Name Housing Corporation also help provide homes in North Omaha.
Programs for Kids and Teens
Many organizations and programs support North Omaha's children and youth. The North Omaha B.E.A.R.S. Youth and Sports club combines sports with learning and social skills. The Hope Center and Hope Skate offer fun activities. The Safe Haven Community Center is a youth center. Groups like the North Omaha Boys & Girls Club and Girls Inc. also serve the area. The NorthStar Foundation helps young men with the goal of increasing high school graduation rates.
Health and Wellness
North Omaha is home to several medical centers, including Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The Charles Drew Health Center provides health and social services to community members.
In the past, North Omaha was affected by pollution from a company called Asarco. This led to a large area being designated for cleanup by the Environmental Protection Agency. Today, the Lead-Safe Omaha Coalition helps residents learn about and protect against lead hazards in older homes. They offer screenings and workshops to keep homes safe.
Growing Businesses
Historically, North Omaha had many industries, including manufacturers of housing parts, household products, and food. Companies like Union Pacific and Storz Brewery were here.
The North Omaha Development Project works to bring business and community leaders together. Their goal is to help the economy grow in North Omaha. The North Omaha Business Park, located where the Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects once stood, is home to several businesses. Long-time employers include Lozier Corporation and the Omaha Star, which has provided jobs and positive news for the community for many years.
Culture and Fun
North Omaha is a hub for many cultural activities and events. In the 20th century, it had important music venues. The Dreamland Ballroom hosted famous jazz musicians and local legends like saxophonist Preston Love. He said North Omaha was a key place for black jazz musicians.
Early North Omaha jazz bands included the Dan Desdunes Band and Lloyd Hunter's Serenaders. Nat Towles was a well-known band leader. Anna Mae Winburn led the Cotton Club Boys, which included guitarist Charlie Christian.
Many famous African-American musicians came from North Omaha. Drummer Buddy Miles and funk band leader Lester Abrams are from here. Wynonie Harris, one of the founders of rock and roll, started in North Omaha clubs. Lomie Washburn, born in North Omaha, wrote songs and sang backup for stars like Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder. Many of these musicians are in the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.
North Omaha hosts several annual events that celebrate its history and future. Native Omaha Days is a special tradition that brings together the African-American community. Other events include the Juneteenth Parade, the Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow, and the Omaha Blues, Jazz & Gospel Festival.
Places of Worship
North Omaha has a rich history of different faiths. It has Mormon roots in Florence and historic Jewish synagogues from European immigrants. Several African-American churches are in the area, including the historic St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church and Salem Baptist Church.
Today, you can find many Christian churches, an Anglican church, Mennonite, and Church of Latter-Day Saints congregations. The Holy Family Catholic Church is Omaha's oldest surviving Catholic church. St. Cecilia Cathedral, a beautiful church, took over 50 years to build. You can also see evidence of the community's Jewish history at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery and Golden Hill Cemetery.
Learning and Schools
Education has always been important in North Omaha. The first public school in Omaha opened in 1867 in the Near North Side. Over its history, the community has been home to more than 100 schools.
Some former public schools include Webster Grade School and Tech High, which was once the largest technical high school in the Western United States. Many of these buildings have been reused or replaced.
North Omaha has also hosted several colleges. Omaha University was founded here in 1909. Today, Creighton University and Metropolitan Community College (Omaha) at Fort Omaha are important educational institutions. The community is also served by Omaha Public Schools, including Omaha North High School and Benson High.
Libraries
The Omaha Public Library has several branches in North Omaha. These include the Charles B. Washington Branch, Benson Branch, and Florence Branch. There are also libraries at Creighton University and Metro Community College.
Getting Around North Omaha
North Omaha has many important roads. Major north-south roads include North 16th Street (Sherman Avenue), North 24th Street ("The Deuce"), and North 30th Street. Other important streets like Ames Avenue and Fort Street run in different directions.
Many streets are named after important people or military history. North 24th Street is known as Omaha's "Street of Dreams" because of its history for African American, Eastern European, and Jewish residents. Military Road was laid out by the U.S. Army in 1854. General John J. Pershing Drive is named after a World War I leader. Sherman Avenue is named after William Tecumseh Sherman.
U.S. Highway 75 runs along North 30th Street. Interstate 680 is a northern bypass freeway that forms a boundary for North Omaha. The Mormon Bridge is located on this highway.
North Omaha's Geography
North Omaha's location is key to its identity. It's west of the Missouri River and next to Carter Lake. The area features streams, small lakes, and cliffs.
Community Makeup
North Omaha has always been a place where many different groups of people have lived. Over the years, it has been home to Irish, German, Jewish, Lithuanian, and other European immigrants. It has also been home to African-American families who moved from the Southeast, forming a community that has thrived for over 100 years.
Population Details
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 them the largest minority group in the city.
| Race | 68102 | 68110 | 68111 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 3,477 | 3,432 | 6,457 |
| Black | 1,230 | 5,314 | 19,108 |
| Hispanic | 465 | 401 | 1,056 |
| Asian | 287 | 43 | 129 |
| Other | 435 | 551 | 1,236 |
| Total | 5,894 | 9,741 | 27,986 |
More to Explore
- List of people from North Omaha, Nebraska
- List of landmarks in North Omaha, Nebraska
Images for kids
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The Omaha Star office at 24th & Grant Streets.
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The Webster Telephone Exchange Building, also used for the Great Plains Black Museum.
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A plaque honoring Captain Alfonza Davis, a Tuskegee Airman from North Omaha.
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The General Crook House at Fort Omaha.
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The 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.
Books About North Omaha
- Fletcher Sasse, Adam (2016) North Omaha History: Volume 1.
- Fletcher Sasse, Adam (2016) North Omaha History: Volume 2.
- Fletcher Sasse, Adam (2016) North Omaha History: Volume 3.
