Omaha National Bank Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Omaha National Bank Building
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Location | Omaha, Nebraska |
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Built | 1888 |
Architect | McKim, Mead & White |
Architectural style | Italianate |
NRHP reference No. | 72000748 |
Added to NRHP | October 18, 1972 |
The Omaha National Bank Building is a historic building in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It was built between 1888 and 1889 at 1650 Farnam Street. The famous architects McKim, Mead & White designed it in the Italian Renaissance style.
This building was almost torn down, but it was saved and fixed up in 1978. In 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. The building was first called the New York Life Insurance Building. It got its current name in 1906.
A Look Back at the Building's History
The building was first used by the New York Life Insurance Company. Later, in 1909, the Kountze Brothers bought it for their Omaha National Bank. The building was designed by Frederick Elmer Hill, who worked for the architectural company McKim, Mead, and White in New York City.
This company also designed a very similar building in Kansas City, Missouri. When it was built, the Omaha National Bank Building was the first building in Omaha to have 10 stories!
The Omaha National Bank Story
The Omaha National Bank started way back in 1856. Its first home was at 212 South 13th Street. In 1906, the bank bought the building we are talking about from the New York Life Insurance Company. They then completely updated it.
Ezra Millard, an important early leader in Omaha, was the first president of the Omaha National Bank. After he left in 1871, Joseph H. Millard became president. Joseph Millard later became the mayor of Omaha and even a senator for Nebraska.
What the Building is Like Today
In 1972, the Omaha National Bank joined with another bank and moved out of the building. Because it was empty, there were plans to tear it down. Luckily, the building was saved and fixed up in 1978. It was then turned into offices.
Today, the building is known as The Omaha Building. It is home to a large law firm called Kutak Rock.