Swedes in Omaha, Nebraska facts for kids

The Swedes in Omaha, Nebraska are an important group of people who have lived in the city for a long time. They have helped shape Omaha's economy, social life, and even its politics. Many people from Sweden came to Omaha, making it a special place with a strong Swedish heritage.

History

Anna Truedsdotter Hansen (1851-1922) was born in Hässleholm Municipality, Sweden. She raised six children in Omaha with her German husband in the 1890s.

The first Swedes arrived in Omaha through a place called Florence, Nebraska. This was near the Winter Quarters of the Mormons. More Swedes kept coming, especially when the Union Pacific railroad was being built in the 1860s. The Union Pacific Railroad Omaha Shops Facility near downtown Omaha also brought many workers.

In 1871, a group of Swedes from Illinois visited Nebraska. They wanted to see if the flat lands were good for Swedish families to settle and farm. Their visit helped bring many more Swedes to the state. This led to new towns being started, like Stromsburg, Oakland, Pender, Wakefield, and Wausa. Other towns with many Swedes included Mead, Malmo, and Swedeburg. This also helped Omaha get its large Swedish population.

Neighborhoods

Omaha had an area with so many Swedes that people called it "Little Stockholm." This early area was in the Near North Side neighborhood. It was located between 18th and 21st Streets, from Cass to Cumming Streets.

Further north, in the Kountze Place neighborhood, was another area with many Swedes. These were sometimes called the "better class" of Swedes. Other Swedish professionals lived in the Gifford Park neighborhood, around 36th and Cass Streets.

The influence of Swedes on North Omaha can still be seen today. For example, the mascot for Omaha North High School is the Vikings! A person named Josie McCullough grew up in the Near North Side in the late 1800s. She wrote that children from many backgrounds, including Swedish, helped each other learn about American culture. By 1930, more than 10 out of every 100 people in Omaha were Swedes.

Institutions

Swedes in Omaha created many important places. These included churches, social clubs, and businesses.

Churches

Many Swedish churches were built in Omaha. Second Baptist Church, first built in 1889, was rebuilt in 1906. It was located at South 26th and K Streets, near South High.

Swedish Salem Lutheran church on Vinton Street served its original members for over 100 years, starting in 1891. In 1922, Trinity Lutheran Church was founded at 30th Street and Redick Avenue. This was in the Miller Park neighborhood of North Omaha.

These churches were seen as "children churches" of older "mother churches." The main "mother churches" were Immanuel Lutheran at 17th and Cass, and the First Swedish Baptist Church. Other Swedish places of worship included First Swedish Methodist and Swedish Salvation Army. There was a special line of Swedish churches along North 18th Street.

The Immanuel church joined with another church called Zion. They became the Augustana Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church. They built a new building at 36th and Lafayette Avenue, near the Bemis Park neighborhood. This church was featured in a movie called A Time for Burning in 1966.

Immanuel Hospital

On October 8, 1887, a pastor named E.A. Fogelstrom and others started a group. They wanted to do good works for charity. In December 1890, this group finished building a hospital. It was located at 36th and Meredith Streets in North Omaha.

As the community grew, a new hospital opened in 1910 in the same area. A third hospital was built at the 36th and Meredith site in 1926. In the 1950s, a large addition was built, making the hospital twice as big. The current Immanuel Medical Center is on a 166-acre site. It opened on June 29, 1974, at 72nd and Sorensen Parkway.

Others

The Swedish Auditorium was a social hall. It was located at 1611 Chicago Street, near Downtown Omaha. Many groups met there, like the Order of Vasa and the Vikings.

The Noon Day Scandinavian Club is a business group. Since 1909, they have held events like Viking Fest and Christmas dinners. The Omaha Posten (meaning Omaha Post) was a newspaper printed in Swedish for many years.

Today, there is still a Swedish consul in Omaha. A consul is like a representative who helps people from Sweden in the city.

Famous Swedes from Omaha

• Carl A. Swanson started a business buying eggs, milk, and poultry from farmers. He then sold them to stores and hotels in Omaha. His company became famous for the Swanson foods brand.
• Glynn Ross was an American opera leader from Omaha. He was the first main director of the Seattle Opera. He also led the Arizona Opera from 1983 to 1998.