North Omaha, Church History

The church has been very important to the African-American community. In North Omaha, the church has been a source of spiritual motivation by providing Sunday morning services, Bible study, and Vacation Bible School. Churches also serve the community by feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, providing college scholarships and job training services, serving in the Civil Rights Movement, and a variety of other services. When looking through African-American history in North Omaha, the church can be found at the center of all other aspects.

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North Omaha, Civil Rights

North Omaha has a long, complex history of Civil Rights that remains largely unnoticed. Not only is it the birthplace of an important political and cultural leader, Malcolm Little, but also home of one of the longest running Black newspapers, the Omaha Star. From a small town barbershop on 24th & Spencer to marches and demonstrations that changed people’s lives—Omaha has captured people’s attention from Presidential candidates to the common folk. However, much of this history remains largely invisible…until now.

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North Omaha, Education in Omaha

African Americans have faced numerous obstacles over the years including several within the field of education. From segregation, to unfair hiring practices, to outdated textbooks, to dilapidated buildings, African Americans are still persevering. African American parents realized that their children were not receiving an equal education and decided to take legal action against the Omaha Public Schools district in the hopes of having a more integrated educational system. The courts intervened to assist in the desegregation of OPS. Eventually mandatory busing was put into place essentially integrating the district in the 1970's. In 1999 the Omaha Public School district ended mandatory busing. Students could then choose to go to any school they wanted, but most chose their neighborhood schools. Due to the issues surrounding redlining, the practice of steering members of certain racial groups to live in certain areas of the city, race based neighborhoods are causing the classroom images of segregation from the past to slowly creep back into some schools.

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North Omaha

Despite segregation and racism, African Americans in Omaha created a vibrant local culture and found ways to have fun. Some of the unique leisure and entertainment opportunities for local black people included Kellom swimming pool, a putt-putt golf course, a skating rink and several theaters where local people saw concerts and plays. By looking at entertainment in North Omaha, we can see the many positive ways African Americans built their community.

Click here for more information Indignities of Jim Crow

North Omaha, Music

Jazz played an important part in the history of North Omaha. Preston Love once said, "If New York, Chicago, and Kansas City were the major leagues of jazz, Omaha was the Triple-A.” Omaha was a stop for many of the top jazz musicans in the nation from the 1920s to the 1960s. The thriving jazz culture also gave birth to many great native Omahan musicans. Most African American jazz musicians were not allowed to play with the white musicians, those wanting to hear them were very limited on where they could go. Because of this, the Dreamland Ballroom at 24th and Grant Streets became the popular destination for lovers of jazz music in Omaha. The Dreamland Ballroom was where most famous African American jazz musicians played, giving members of the community a chance to experience the energy and excitement of the era. 

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North Omaha, The Great Migration

In the early 1900s, African-Americans sought a better life in the North. Jim Crow Laws in the South reinforced segregation and discrimination. Agricultural problems also made it difficult for African-Americans to make a living in the South. African-Americans migrated to Omaha seeking better jobs. Labor recruiters, northern newspapers that were sent south, and simple word of mouth helped to keep a steady flow of African-American workers coming north during WWI. African-Americans often migrated north on trains or buses, traveling with limited possessions, but filled with hope for a better life. African-Americans in Omaha settled first in South Omaha for the packing jobs. Then they moved to the north part because of available housing and because they could own their own businesses. North Omaha quickly became the heart of the African-American community.

For more information, click here, The Great Migration

North Omaha, Work

This page explores the history of African American work and business in Omaha. The topic has been broken into three main sections: the stockyards, the businesses of Twenty-fourth Street, and employment with the Union Pacific Railroad. The stockyards (and the meat-packing plants associated with them) were a major factor in attracting African Americans to the city. Twenty-fourth Street was the center of North Omaha's African American community during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, but deteriorated during the turbulent years of the Civil Rights Movement. In recent years, there have been efforts to revitalize the district. The Union Pacific Railroad began employing African Americans as strikebreakers during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, and later offered African Americans jobs as porters, cooks, and waiters. Although these jobs were service-based, they generally paid much better than jobs available in the South and were therefore well-respected within Omaha’s Black community.

For more information click here, Work

North Omaha, World War II

During World War II, the Hastings Naval Ammunition Depot (NAD), located 150 miles west of Omaha, played a central role in the nation’s war effort. Life on the base usually consisted of work, work, and more work. Soldier's responsibilities included everything from cleaning up to loading munitions to playing to entertain officers and visitng dignitaries. However, Hastings offered Black soldiers few entertainment options when they were given a pass to leave the base. As a result, Black troops looked toward North Omaha when they wanted to relax and have fun.

For more information click here, World War II

Military Service, Civil War

During the years of the Civil War thousands of African Americans played a crucial role in defending our freedoms. As the guns fell silent across the nation these newly minted veterans saw new lives in the North. Hundreds of veterans and their families established themselves in Omaha. Among those who made Omaha home are three men: Edward Jones, Josiah Waddle, July Miles. We learned about the roles they played in one of the pivotal conflicts in our history.  

For more information click here, Military Service: Civil War

North Omaha, Military Service, Vietnam

America began taking direct military action in Vietnam in 1964 and ended the draft and signed peace accords in 1973. North Vietnam and South Vietnam were at war over the issue of communism. This conflict was a continuation of the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union. The United States supported South Vietnam because it was non-communist.

This controversial conflict created tension in the United States, which coincided with social, political, and racial unrest. The United States military drafted many African Americans to fight in Vietnam. This website celebrates the lives and contributions of Omaha’s Black Vietnam Veterans.

For more information click here, Military Service:  Vietnam

North Omaha, Sports

Sports are a large part of the community for fans and non fans alike. Sports give youth a sense of hope. More importantly it keeps young kids out of gangs and away from drugs. African-Americans have fought for a place on sports teams throughout the years, destroying the racial barriers. It wasn’t just the athletes that fought for these rights. A large amount of the black people in the community became united and helped to make young African-American athletes' dreams realized. When some of those athletes became professionals, they exhibited a sense of pride they earned through proving themselves to white athletes. Over the years, whites became more accepting of them, and the stereotype that whites are better than blacks was destroyed. Black athletes became heroes in their communities and across the country.

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Omaha North, Businesses

Have you ever walked down 24th Street and wondered about the history behind it? During the 1930s, N. 24th Street transitioned from a predominantly Jewish community to a largely African American neighborhood. During the 1930s, there were several local African American owned buisnesses, such as Myers Funeral Home (pictured below), Robins Drug (pictured right), and Harris Grocery Store (pictured below). During the Civil Rights movement of the fifties and sixties, several African American-owned restaurants opened and became significant community centers, such as Skeets Barbecue and Time Out Chicken, where we did our oral history. Civil Rights activists gathered at the Fair Deal Café.

For more information click here, Businesses

Civil Rights:  Tactics and Strategy for Change

Segregation, discrimination, and unfair, these are the words that were commonly used by the North Omaha black community in the 1950s and 1960s to describe the struggles of minorities. These words would thrive in a new era, The Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Movement was made up of citizens who wanted to achieve equality, to take charge in their lives, and to do something to make things right, not only for blacks, but other ethnic groups as well. Some groups were non-violent such as the 4CL (the Citizens Coordinating Committe for Civil Liberties) and the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement for Colored People). Others were more radical such as the Black Panthers. However, they all shared a common goal: Civil Rights. 

For more information click here, Civil Rights:  Tactics and Strategy for Change

Community Cohesion:  Native American Days

Native Omaha Days is important to North Omaha because it brings back memories. It's where the black community comes together, has fun, and talks to each other. Native Omaha Days is where people from across the country come to Omaha and get together to celebrate the North 24th Street culture. This biannual event has become a main stay in the North Omaha community. The founders of Native Omaha Days were two black women, Vera Johnson and Bettie McDonald. Native Omaha Days was founded in the mid 1970's.

For more information click here, Community Cohesion: Native American Days

Politics: Pioneering Politicians

Press and Newspapers

Throughout our history, African-Americans have struggled to be treated fairly and to be free. Segregation and discrimination followed African-Americans as they moved from the South to the North during the 20th century, leading to the fight for civil rights. African-American newspapers in Omaha provided a voice, during the period of the Great Migration African-American newspapers like the Omaha Monitor, worked to get the truth out about discrimination and racial injustice. Between WWI and WWII, African-American newspapers, such as the Omaha Guide, strove to show African-Americans in a positive light, and continued to promote movement North for new opportunities. In the post WWII era, civil unrest shaped many African-Americans communities. Newspapers like the Omaha Star provided a strong and positive voice for the African-American community, fought for civil rights, promoted the good within, and encouraged people to make a difference.

For more information click here, Press and Newspapers
 

Dramatic Arts

Minstrel shows were a variety of acts performed to stereotypically down grade the African American culture. You may find this historically funny or you may read this as extremely disgraceful to blacks and disrespectful just as the blacks did. However, what the whites did not know is that by trying to be comedic, all they were doing was shining a bright light in a dangerously dark space. This gave blacks the drive and ambition to showcase their theatrical side and educate those who didn't know the real struggles and truth behind their black culture.  Some of the theatrical talent to arise from Omaha’s black community included Lincoln Motion Picture Company, one of the first African-American film companies; the Afro Academy for Dramatic Arts; and Center Stage Theatre, which won both the National and International Amateur Theatre Festivals in 1983.

For more information click here, Dramatic Arts

Modern Music

Music has had a significant impact on people throughout history and provides a soundtrack for their experiences. It has the remarkable ability to enhance history and tell the story of a people. The presence of music in Omaha has continued to help the African American community survive hardships like discrimination and segregation by acting as a source of encouragement and motivation to keep the fight for equal rights alive. It has given comfort when people are in pain and calm in times of stress. The presence of music has also amplified joy in happier times and fed the excitement during times of celebration.

For more information click here, Modern Music

Fire Fighters

Omaha has a long and proud tradition of black firefighters breaking barriers. In 1895, the first black firefighters were hired. They were very proud of their accomplishments, but they were not treated as equals. Black firefighters had to follow the laws of segregation. They were based at two different fire stations in North Omaha because that is where the black population was at that time. It was difficult for black firefighters to be promoted. This started to change in 1951 due to the use of a Civil Service exam for eligibility among applicants. Some challenges to being promoted continued through the desegregation of the Omaha Fire Department.

For more information click here, Fire Fighters

Police

Sirens, arrests, crime, violence, all lead to one place. These are just a few words that come to mind when one thinks of the police. However, through our research we learned that the Omaha Police Department is very dedicated to keeping the city of Omaha safe. We also discovered that African American police officers are a very large part of the OPD. They often faced struggles such as racial tensions, discrimination, forced residential assignments, and affirmative action.

For more information click here, Police

Sudanese Immigrants

Violent Civil War has been a reality for many South Sudanese citizens for decades. In the mid 1980's the conflict started to turn, the South Sudanese People’s Liberation Army fought against the Northern Sudanese Army. Southern Sudanese citizens fled to refugee camps to save their lives. Many refugees were eventually resettled in the United States. Omaha, NE eventually became the largest resettlement location in the United States. Refugees came to Omaha in search of a better life. Omaha offers career opportunities, affordable living, and an already established Sudanese community to join. While in Omaha many refugees face challenges adapting to their new lives. Some of these challenges include learning English, finding employment, and developing a new identity in the states. The Southern Sudanese Community Association provides training and education for refugees in Omaha. Since their establishment in 1997 they have served over 1,311 Southern Sudanese families. Many refugees feel that though this journey has been rough it is one that is worth it for the sake of their families. They are hopeful Omaha will someday feel like home.

For more information click here, Sudanese Immigrants

Tuskegee Airmen

The Tuskegee Airmen were heroes in World War II. They were African American fighter pilots of the 332nd fighter group. 450 Tuskegee Airmen served in Europe during World War II, 68 of whom were killed or went missing in action. The main purpose that they served was to escort the bombers into Germany and back. White bomber pilots requested that the Tuskegee Airman escort them because they had gained a reputation for not losing bombers. The Tuskegee Airmen were trailblazers in integrating the Military. They endured the hate of Jim Crow, inside and outside the military, and inspired the start of the integration of the military by order of President Truman in 1948. The Tuskegee Airmen served with distinction, receiving 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Legion of Merit, a Red Star of Yugoslavia, 8 Purple Hearts, a Silver Star, 14 Bronze Stars, 744 Air Medals, and 3 Presidential Unit Citations. They also earned a long delayed Medal of Honor in 2007. As you can see, the Tuskegee Airmen deserve the respect of all Americans.

For more information click here, Tuskegee Airmen

Visual Arts

Visual art is an important avenue for self-expression and always has a story behind it. African American visual arts have long been an important part of the community in North Omaha, murals, statues, and art galleries are all around. Art helps make up the unique identity of the people and community. Our project is bringing African American visual arts in Omaha to the surface so that they are not forgotten as African American art has been in the past.

For more information click here, Visual Arts

Arts and Music

South Omaha has traditionally been infused with the vibrancy of new immigration waves. Music and Art have always played an important role in presenting the expression of the people and their culture. This site seeks to highlight their contributions to their community.

For more information click here, Arts and Music

Chicano Movement

The Mexican American (Chicano) Movement was the last social movement. It occurred in 1968. A new generation of young people (high school and college students) were the ones who fought for equal rights for education, voting, political and land rights.

 For more information click here, Chicano Movement

Employment, Stockyards

In 1955 Omaha livestock market became the largest in the world. It surpassed Chicago as the busiest stockyard. Everyday thousands of pigs, cows, and sheep would be shipped. They would ship them to Omahas pens where they would be sold to packinghouses for slaughter or to other livestock producers for fattening or breeding stock. In 1967 the number of livestock brought to Omaha dropped. They officially closed in 1999.

For more information click here, Employment

Local Business

South Omahas business district is a vibrant community. Various immigrants have called the neighborhood home and shaped this community.

For more information click here, Local Business

G.I. Forum

Welcome to the American G.I. Forum web page! We are excited to show you the conflict of Mexican Americans being discriminated against as well as the many challenges they faced starting the American G.I. Forum. The organization was started for veterans by veterans who were guided by Dr. Hector P. Garcia. We do not want to spoil any further information so click to read more about the American G.I. Forum.

For more information click here, G.I. Forum

Railroad

Railroads are important to Omahas history. Railroads have brought many immigrant groups to South Omaha which has added to the diversity of the City of Omaha.

For more information click here, Railroads

Religion

Throughout its history South Omaha has been made up of a quilt of Catholic parishes corresponding to tightly-knit ethnic neighborhoods. For South Os early Latino population the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe was the centerpiece of the immigrant community, meeting in private houses, a bakery, and a storefront until it found a permanent home in 1950. Since then, Our Lady of Guadalupe has served as an advocate, community center, and spiritual home for many Omaha Latinos even as the community has outgrown the parish to include Spanish language masses across the city.

For more information click here, Religion

Sports

What is a way to bring communities together? A way to take your mind of your problems? It is not music, it is not technology, religion, or education but SPORTS! Many famous athletes have come from the South Omaha area proving that a big city is not required to proving a big name.

For more information click here, Sports

Early Contact

This project explores points of Native American and European points of contact in the early 1800s including Fort Atkinson and Cabannes Trading Post.  Photo courtesy of Joslyn Art Museum

For more information click here, Early Contact

Ponca Restoration

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska existed for many generations, but in the early 1960s their tribal affiliation was terminated by the government. This is the story of how proud Native Americans fought to regain their status and how one man, Fred LeRoy, led the charge.

For more information click here, Ponca Restoration

Military

Hollis Stabler received numerous awards: four bronze stars, one silver and the purple heart. He also got the Omaha name Na-shin-tia, meaning slow to rise. Hollis fought in Morocco, Tunisia, Silicy and Anzio. This page is dedicated to Native American Veterans like Hollis Stabler.

For more information click here, Military

Arts and Culture

Traditions, arts, and culture play large roles in the daily lives of Native Americans. Despite suffering cultural suppression, pacification, and assimilation, contemporary Native Americans are attempting cultural revitalization. Learn about changes in arts and culture between the past and the present and how traditions are kept alive.

For more information click here, Arts and Culture

Education

Through the years, Native American education has evolved. At present, it takes traditions of the past and intertwines them with hopes for the future. This webpage takes a journey from traditional native teachings, through Indian boarding schools, and into today’s native educational opportunities. Interviews from Mr. Rudi Mitchell and Ms. Tami Maldonado accompany archival photographs and historical research.

For more information click here, Education

Indian Congress

In 1898, Omaha hosted the Trans-Mississippi Exposition. Within the exposition was the Indian Congress. Here, visitors saw an interpretation of life for Plains Indians.

For more information click here, Indian Congress

Modern Civil Rights

Activism is the actions taken to create social change. We examined the events at specific places and began to understand the importance of location to social justice for Native Americans. The Red Power Movement was about Native Americans civil rights and regaining sovereignty. We focused on three events: Trail of Broken Treaties, the Occupation of Wounded Knee, and the Blackbird Bend Litigation.

For more information click here, Modern Civil Rights

Early Civil Rights

Native Americans had many struggles in their fight for human rights. This site focuses on their early struggle for justice.

For more information click here, Early Civil Rights

Nisei Plaza

In WWII, Japanese American students  education was interrupted when they were place in Japanese Internment Camps. UNL was one of only a few schools in the country who allowed these students to attend.

For more information click here, Nisei Plaza

Rose Blumkin

Ms. Blumkin, a Russian Jewish immigrant,  created Nebraska Furniture Mart and grew it into one of the largest furniture stores in the country!

For more information click here, Rose Blumkin

Miguel Keith is one of Omaha's paramount war heroes and one of  three Omahans who has received the highest possible military award, the Medal of Honor.

For more information click here, Miguel Hernandez-Keith Park

Dr. James Ramirez

Few people have done more than Dr. James Hernandez for OPS students and teachers and Mexican American students and teachers, in particular. 

For more information click here, Dr. James Ramirez

Dr. LaFlesche Picotte

In 1889, Susan LaFlesche Picotte became the first Native American female doctor in the United States. Throughout her life she worked to support the survival of the Omaha Tribe when they were struggling to maintain their rights and resist oppression from the U.S. government. Although she was a woman and was expected to stay in the home, she remained dedicated to being a strong public voice for her people.

For more information click here, Dr. LaFlesche Picotte

Mr. Washington was known as the "Godfather of North Omaha" because of his dedication to and advocacy for his neigborhood.

For more information click here, Charles B. Washington

Dorothy Eure, Lerlean Johnson

Ms. Eure and Ms. Johnson fought for civil rights for African Americans and worked to integrate the Omaha Public Schools and bring African American teachers to the District.

For more information click here, Dorothy Eure and Lerlean Johnson

Ms. Patach, the daughter of Czech immigrants, is a nurse, teacher, South Omaha advocate and environmentalist.

For more information click here, Dorothy Patach

BuHe has never forgotten where he came from and gives back generously with his time and resources.

Businessmen Bob Campos was born in South Omaha to Mexican immigrant parents.  He built a successful construction company. 

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The city of Omaha is known for many things, including beef, the Union Pacific railroad, and attractions like the Henry Doorly Zoo and Werner Park. However, the city is named after a Native American tribe, the Omaha.

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Drill and step in Omaha continues to be part of community celebrations such as Native Omaha Days and the Juneteenth parade.

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Gospel music has long been an essential force in Omaha's African American church community.
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Learn about the economic and cultural forces that brought hip hop to Omaha.

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Omaha had a bright and vibrant jazz scene, filled with great players and venues.
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Funk Music

King Solomon’s Mine, located on 25th and Ames St, became a popular hotspot for funk music from its grand opening on October 28, 1970 to its final closing date in 1972. During its short lifespan, promoters used flyers like this one, which informed the community that King Solomon’s Mine was hosting an upcoming event, “Soul Week-End,” April 23, 1971. 

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Mexican American Music

Omaha’s Mexican-American community dates back more than a century. Initially fairly small in number, in recent decades, Latinos have been one of the fastest growing segments of the city’s population.

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Polka

The history of polka music and dance reaches far beyond Omaha, including cities like New York, Cincinnati, and New Orleans. Brought to the United States from Europe by groups such as Czech, Slovak, Polish, and German immigrants, polka is deeply rooted in heritage and memories of the homeland. While each of these groups have different styles of polka, they all deal with the immigrant experience and the preservation of cultural and social identity.

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Refugee Music

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, foreign born people make up just over ten percent of Omaha’s population. Similarly, data from the Pew Center for Research states that Nebraska takes in more refugees per capita than any other state in the U.S. In recent decades, while Latinos have been the fastest-growing segment of the immigrant population, people from Southeast Asia and Vietnam, the former Soviet Union, Bosnia, the Middle East and Africa have also settled in our communities, dramatically changing the complexion of Nebraska.

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Women in Rock

Indie Rock opened doors for local women to express themselves. Rather than being a genre, it’s a culture; indie rock isn’t limited to a certain sound. Musicians are free to voice their opinions in ways that are unrestricted. With that in mind, one cannot ignore that the scene is dominated by white men. 

For more information click here, Women in Rock

St. Mary

The stories of South Omaha’s neighborhoods are inextricably linked to the rise and fall of the stockyards and packing plants that developed in the area. From the late-19th century into the mid-20th these industries prospered and South Omaha became known as “The Magic City” that had seemingly boomed overnight. 

For more information click here, St. Mary

Jefferson Square

The Jefferson Square Neighborhood is bounded by I-480 on the south side, Burt St. on the north, 15th street on the east, and highway 75 on the west. Jefferson Square was founded in the 1860s not long after the founding of Omaha itself in 1854. This neighborhood’s peak years were around the 1930s and early 40s. It was a popular neighborhood for immigrants because it was downtown and urban, and it was surrounded by a large industry. 

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Smithfield

The Smithfield neighborhood, located at North 24th Street and Ames Avenue, has a rich history and deep ties to Omaha’s African American population. On the border between North Omaha and Florence, Smithfield was initially a prominent and thriving commercial center populated by Germans, Jews, African Americans and others. The city’s railcar system - Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Railway Company - operated in the neighborhood and maintained its main storage barn at the intersection. Various businesses, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and a stunning movie theater thrived.

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Central Park

The Central Park neighborhood stretches from North 33rd to North 48th and Ames Avenue to Sorenson Parkway. This area, which was considered an early suburb, was settled in the 1870s and originally named West Saratoga. It was comprised of a schoolhouse, a mercantile store, and several houses occupied by white working-class families. 

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Hartman Addition

The neighborhood of Hartman Addition or 16th and William is a close neighbor to the famous Little Bohemia neighborhood on South 13th Street. Little Bohemia was founded in the late 1870s by the Kountze Family. That neighborhood is a predominantly Czech area with some Italian and German families intermixed due to the proximity to Little Italy and St. Joseph Catholic Parish, which was a German majority church. 16th and William, or Hartman Addition, was also a predominantly Czech neighborhood, with Italian and German influence. 

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Long School

The Long School neighborhood was established in 1868 and is bounded by Lake Street on the north, Hamilton Street on the south, North 24th Street on the east, and North 30th Street on the west. The neighborhood is named after Eben Knapp Long of the Union Pacific Railroad and the Omaha Public School board because of his involvement with city operations. In addition to having a neighborhood named in his honor, an elementary school called the Long School was named after him.

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