Nebraska History Podcast

Omaha radio station owner Todd Storz played a key role in pioneering the Top 40 format in the 1950s. He was a figure of national significance, permanently changing radio programming with an approach that was “vibrantly populist, crassly commercial, and undeniably young.” This episode is from the 2012 Nebraska History Magazine article, " Vox Populi of Omaha: Todd Storz and the Top 40 Radio For...

At Peru State College, on Tuesday morning, April 25, 1950, Professor Barney K Baker shot to death the college president, Dr William L Nicholas, and the head of the education division, Dr Paul Ammon Maxwell. He then went home and killed himself. The tragedy followed Dr Baker's being notified of his future dismissal from the college. This article investigates the circumstances surrounding his di...

Ten of the twenty-three buffalo soldiers who received the Medal of Honor for actions in frontier conflicts or the Cuban Campaign of 1898 served at Fort Robinson. This episode introduces you to some of these heroes and how they earned the Medal of Honor. This episode is from the 1997 Nebraska History Magazine article, "Ten Troopers: Buffalo Soldier Medal of Honor Men Who Served at Fort Robinso...

After many delays and some hurried final preparations, Nebraska was officially represented at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, marking the 100th birthday of the United States. Despite its small population, the youngest state (except for Colorado) made a creditable showing among the other states and territories, as well as foreign countries, that exhibited. This episode is from the articl...

Buffalo Bill Cody and Doc Carver were partners during the 1883 season of Cody and Carver’s Wild West, a touring outdoor western show. Their partnership dissolved after one year, and their bitter legal dispute over control of the name “Wild West” made them adversaries for the rest of their lives. In this episode, Chris Goforth brings you the article " Buffalo Bill Cody v. Doc Carver: The Battl...

Louise Vinciquerra was the queen of Nebraska bootleggers, and she bribed, argued, or charmed her way out of court more times before she was thirty than many male bootleggers did in their entire careers. Author Kylie Kinley joins the show to discuss her research into Queen Louise and what makes her such a fascinating figure in Nebraska history. 'Louise Vinciquerra: Nebraska's Bootlegger Que...

The decline of Cheyenne dominance in the late 19th century was marked by rapid white settlement and the expansion of the Union Pacific Railroad. The Cheyenne, particularly the Dog Men warrior society, resisted encroachment on their hunting grounds, essential for their economic subsistence and spiritual beliefs. The Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867 offered the Cheyenne a false promise of continued acc...

Few individuals have had as strong and lasting an influence on Omaha's history as Tom Dennison. During his nearly 40 years as “boss” of the city’s 3rd Ward, his power was felt in Omaha and, to some extent, throughout Nebraska. Dennison’s legacy is one of legend, hearsay, and history. This episode is from the Nebraska History Magazine article " The Gray Wolf: Tom Dennison of Omaha " b...

Louise Pound was an American folklorist, linguist, and college professor at the University of Nebraska. While she is known for pioneering work in American folklore and linguistics, Professor Louise Pound excelled in various sports, which were chiefly played by men. In this episode, listen to a reading of the 1983 Nebraska History Magazine article, Nebraska's Scholarly Athlete: Louise Pound , w...

On a cold, wintery night in November of 1858, two enslaved women snuck out of a house in Nebraska City. Nebraska was a territory at the time, and the issue of slavery was still in debate throughout the country. In this episode, Chris Goforth welcomes author Gail Blankenau, who shares what she learned in her research while writing her article and discusses the harrowing journey of Eliza and Celia G...

In this episode... During World War II, a battalion from the Nebraska National Guard was selected to participate in a 'top secret' mission in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska to protect the United States from possible Japanese attacks. Learn about their harrowing experiences and why they became Nebraska's "lost" battalion. Listen to this article written by Douglas Hartman and o...

On their way to becoming Hollywood icons, filmmakers Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas and actors Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Shirley Knight made a road movie. The cast and crew found themselves in Ogallala, NE, filming the movie that would open the door to some of the most iconic films in cinema history. Chris Goforth talks with author and journalist Leo Adam Biga about the film, The Rain...

Sod houses were the first dwellings for many Nebraska pioneers. Some view a sod house as crude and primitive. In this 1967 article by Roger Welsch, we take a closer look at the construction of a Nebraska sod house and why it was superior to frame construction in a few different ways. To read the article and see images published, go to https://history.nebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/doc_pub...

The Nebraska History Podcast debuts March 1st. Here's a snippet of an upcoming episode with author Leo Adam Biga and his article "When Hollywood Came to Nebraska in 1968" from the Winter 2023 issue of the Nebraska History Magazine.

We're excited to bring you a new podcast about Nebraska history! The podcast launches March 1st, 2024 and highlights articles from the Nebraska History Magazine as well as some of the authors who have researched fascinating moments in Nebraska history.