Union Stock Yards Company of Omaha facts for kids

A view of the viaduct deck, with livestock market offices on the left. This was part of the huge Union Stock Yards in Omaha.

The Union Stock Yards Company of Omaha was a very important business that helped shape the city of Omaha, Nebraska. It was first started in 1878 in South Omaha, Nebraska. This company was all about buying and selling livestock, like cattle and pigs.

After a short time in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the company moved back to South Omaha in 1883. Six local businessmen helped make this happen. They wanted a big livestock market closer than the famous one in Chicago. The Union Stock Yards in South Omaha became a huge competitor to Chicago's market. The company operated for 90 years before it was sold in 1973.

How the Union Stock Yards Started

On December 1, 1883, six important businessmen created the Union Stock Yards. These men included William A. Paxton, Herman Kountze, and John A. Creighton. They bought a large area of land, about 2,000 acres (8.1 square kilometers).

At the same time, these businessmen also formed the South Omaha Land Company. This company helped plan and build the city of South Omaha on the remaining land. South Omaha eventually became part of the larger City of Omaha in 1915.

Businesses Connected to the Stock Yards

Many other businesses grew because of the Union Stock Yards. These included the Union Stockyards Bank of South Omaha, which handled money for the livestock trade. There was also the South Omaha Terminal Railway, a train system that moved animals. Other related companies were the Union Elevator and the Union Trust Company.

In 1927, the Union Stock Yards Company built a special building. It was called the Livestock Exchange Building. This building was the main office for all their operations.

The Impact of Meatpacking in Omaha

The meatpacking industry in South Omaha depended a lot on the Union Stock Yards. Meatpacking is where animals are processed into meat products. For over 100 years, South Omaha grew mainly because of these two industries.

By 1957, it was estimated that half of all workers in Omaha were employed by these industries. This shows how important they were to the city's economy.

Changes and Closure of the Stock Yards

In the 1960s, the livestock market started to change. The Union Stock Yards Company of Omaha began to lose value. This was due to new ways of raising and selling livestock.

In 1973, the company was sold to a New York company called Canal Capital Corporation. Finally, in 1999, the Union Stockyards in Omaha were closed down. The area was later turned into a business park.