North Omaha History Podcast, Omaha History, South Omaha History

One of the most beautifully preserved streets in North Omaha, Wirt Street’s beautiful homes start at North 16th Street and extends to North 30th Street. This episode focuses on the best features and missing pieces from the past. Our thanks to our patrons: Don Goodrich Bridget Maryalice Kimberly Davlin Matt Martin Michael Wagner Joseph Tingley Sarah Swanson Wattle and Daub Craftsman Jeff Rock...

Demolished by the interstate 50 years ago, the Jefferson Square neighborhood was started by Omaha pioneers in the 1850s. This story shares the successes, failures and interesting facts about what existed in the past. Our thanks to our patrons: Don Goodrich Bridget Maryalice Kimberly Davlin Matt Martin Michael Wagner Joseph Tingley Sarah Swanson Wattle & Daub Historical Craftsman Jeff Rockwell...

Once a stop along Saunders Road, as it meandered from young Omaha City to the old City of Florence, the intersection of 24th and Ames became a busy commercial hub in the suburban Saratoga neighborhood with streetcars, pedestrians, and taxis packing each corner. About 60 years ago, it all started to change, and today there is almost no evidence left of its success. Adam shares the story. Our thanks...

With more than 1,250 public housing units available across North Omaha in the 1980s, it was hard to imagine that just 25 years later almost all of these buildings would be gone—but that’s exactly what happened. This is a history of the projects in North Omaha, including Hilltop and Pleasantview, Spencer Street, Logan Fontenelle, and others including the Myott Park Apartments. Adam, give us a lowdo...

After more than 150 years of history, surely a place loses some of the details in its past. Today, after researching details for more than 15 years, Adam shares some of the people, places, events, and stories from North Omaha’s history that have been lost in our community. Our thanks to our patrons: Matt Martin Michael Wagner Sarah Swanson Wattle & Daub Historical Craftsman Jeff Rockwel...

For more than a century, Nebraska textbooks taught students that there was barely any slavery in Nebraska. Now, Adam has uncovered some startling history that hasn’t ever been collected in the state’s history. Adam, tell us the real story of enslavement in Nebraska. Our thanks to our patrons: Matt Martin Michael Wagner Joseph Tingley Sarah Swanson James Sechser Jeff Rockwell Barb Naugh...

For 50 years, the skies over North Omaha were clogged with glorious July 4th fireworks. The same park where those happened holds a history of golfing, picnics, after school and summer programs, and a lot more, including a long-forgotten baseball history! Adam, tell us about the history of Fontenelle Park. Our thanks to our patrons: Matt Martin Emmy_Caffeine Michael Wagner Joseph Tingley Sarah Swan...

Injustice in Omaha has deep roots, like the 1917 story of a vehement white supremacist in Florence who probably murdered his first wife and framed a man for that murder. Afterwards, he started a riot, got another man lynched, almost murdered his second wife, and kept his successful Omaha real estate business the whole time. Our thanks to our patrons: Emmy_Caffeine Michael Wagner Joseph Tingley Sar...

Originally envisioned as an interstate highway to connect I-480 with I-680, the North Freeway is of the most controversial street projects in Omaha history. By developing a major highway through the heart of North Omaha, the government physically sliced Omaha’s historically African American neighborhood in half, leaving a legacy of controversy and discrimination continuing today. This is a history...

A fast roadway across North Omaha has provided more than 150 years of growth and opportunities for neighborhoods and institutions in the community. Here’s a review of some of that history, including the story of Jenna Street and more! Our thanks to our patrons: Sarah Swanson James Sechser Jeff Rockwell Barb Naughtin Lonnie (Hansen) Dunbier Mike Schill Jenna Smith Dan Hedrick Richard Gude Dan...

From the beginning of the community in 1856, there have been countless light, medium, and heavy industries in North Omaha. Food production, railroads, vehicle manufacturing, and many other industries have all been important, and many others. This is a history of industries in North Omaha. Our thanks to our patrons: Sarah Swanson James Sechser Jeff Rockwell Barb Naughtin Lonnie (Hansen) Dunbier Tim...

Did you know that North Omaha has been home to FIVE higher education institutions in its history? It was 1863 when the Town of Saratoga, now located in North Omaha, went to the Nebraska Territorial Legislature and secured a charter for the first-ever University of Nebraska. Unfortunately, their efforts amounted in nil—but their legacy did not. Adam has some great info. Our thanks to our patrons: J...

Adam has the history of the Omaha Beltline Railroad which was part of the Missouri Pacific. He traces the old right away and depot locations. Our thanks to our patrons: James Sechser Jeff Rockwell Barb Naughtin Lonnie (Hansen) Dunbier Tim Reeder Mike Schill Jenna Smith Dan Hedrick Richard Gude Daniel Ammons Sara Rogers Troy Lewellen Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh Kristine Gerber Jay Flaunts His Ignoran...

Adam Fletcher Sasse gives us the rich history of North Omaha streets from before Omaha was founded, to the present day. Our thanks to our patrons: Jeff Rockwell Gene E Pafford Barb Naughtin Lonnie (Hansen) Dunbier Paul Feilmann Tim Reeder Mike Schill Jenna Smith Dan Hedrick Richard Gude Daniel Ammons Sara Rogers Troy Lewellen Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh Kristine Gerber Jay Flaunts His Ignorance Jim...

KOWH was a soul music radio station in Omaha owned by African Americans including Bob Gibson and Gale Sayers. It was on-air from 1970 to 1979 and our producer Steve loved listening to it in the day. Listen in as Adam fills us in on everything KOWH-FM. Our thanks to our patrons: Jeff Rockwell Gene E Pafford Barb Naughtin Lonnie (Hansen) Dunbier Paul Feilmann Tim Reeder Mike Schill Jenna Smith Dan H...

Adam has a great rundown of historic structures, parks, and streets in North Omaha. Listen in. Our thanks to our patrons for helping meet expenses. You can help out this volunteer effort by becoming a patron for as little as a dollar a month. Go to Patreon.com/Omaha . Our thanks to our patrons: Jeff Rockwell Gene E Pafford Barb Naughtin Lonnie (Hansen) Dunbier Paul Feilmann Tim Reeder Mike Schill...

Fast food, Italian food, soul food, diners and cafes, barbecues, ice cream stores, caterers, and many, many other types of food fill North Omaha history. These businesses have been run by African Americans, European and Asian immigrants, Hispanic and Latinx people, and white people who moved to the community from across the United States. They have also been run by generations of North Omahans who...

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience. Our thanks to Lamb of God Lutheran Chruch in Papillion for letting us use their facility. On Adam’s blog, North Omaha includes all the area in Douglas County, Nebraska, north of Dodge Street and east of North 72nd. In this history of North Omaha, there have been at least a dozen hospitals within these boundaries. They were religious and non-se...

I’m Steve Sleeper, the producer of the North Omaha History podcast. Adam and I have always wanted to record some episodes in front of a live audience and we got that chance on Dec 13, 2021 when we recorded three episodes. The one you’re about to hear is the history of Cuming Street in North Omaha. Our thanks to Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Papillion for letting us use their facility and also tha...

A church minister, newspaper editor, NAACP leader, community activist, and family man, the Rev. John Albert Williams (1866-1933) was a singular leader in a simpler time who faced complex problems and made North Omaha a better place. He was widely recognized in North Omaha, in the Episcopal Church and among his family; however, today his name is nearly lost to Omaha history. Adam is making sure his...

Over more than a 50-year period, one lawyer’s name stands out in the African American history of Omaha. He defended his community constantly, unrelentingly, and powerfully as a journalist and advocate who commanded troops during the Great War. Continuously earning the begrudging respect of his white legal colleagues in Omaha, he was also a founding member of several Black empowerment organizations...

On Veterans Day, 1941, there was a giant parade for the dedication of a new monument to honor the life of John J. Pershing, General of the Armies during World War I. The City of Omaha named a new roadway leading from Abbott Drive to River Drive after him, as well. This wasn’t the beginning of North Omaha’s love affair with this leader though. Adam Fletcher Sasse has the rest of the story Our thank...

Pioneer cemeteries, Jewish cemeteries, military burials, African American burials, famous people and forgotten people make North Omaha’s cemeteries a vital piece of the city’s history. These are the final resting places of thousands of people from the 1840s through today. Our thanks to our patrons: Lonnie (Hansen) Dunbier Paul Feilmann Tim Reeder Mike Schill Jenna Smith Dan Hedrick Ric...

History of Department Stores in North Omaha. The idea of going to a single store to shop for many different types of products came around in the 1750s in England. Omaha’s first department stores opened downtown in the 1870s and 1880s, with the biggest ones staying around for a century. However, in a city as segregated as Omaha it was important that the Black community and Jewish community needed t...

The oldest neighborhoods in the North Omaha community are Florence and the Near North Side, which is immediately north of North Downtown and south of Pratt Street. Other outlying houses and buildings may exist, but are largely hidden by the newer developments around them. Here are ten of the oldest buildings in North Omaha, all built more than 125 years ago. Our thanks to our patrons: Lonnie Hanse...