NEIGHBORHOODS OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA

The 'neighborhoods of Omaha, Nebraska' are a diverse collection of community areas and specific enclaves.^[1] They are spread throughout the Omaha metro area, and are all on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River.

Contents

Community areas

Neighborhoods

Former towns

Cities and towns

See also

References

Community areas

Omaha is split into several geographically-designated areas, in which occupy several neighborhoods. Midtown is a racially-diverse, historically rich area of Omaha immediately west of Downtown Omaha, while North Omaha is a racially-diverse area north of downtown Omaha with a rich historical social, cultural, economic, architectural, and religious legacy, particularly for the city's African American population. South Omaha is a neighborhood south of downtown Omaha. Formerly a separate city, it was annexed by Omaha in 1915. West Omaha is the collective term for areas of the city west of 72nd Street. There are several other community areas, as well.

Neighborhoods

There are countless current and historically specific neighborhoods throughout Omaha. Perhaps prime among them is the Old Market, a mixed-use commercial/residential district in downtown Omaha that historically housed Omaha's fresh food vendors.
The central area of Omaha, immediately west of downtown and extending to 72nd Street, is home to several of historically significant neighborhoods. Gifford Park, Morton Meadows, Gold Coast and Country Club are important to the history of Omaha. Bemis Park is centrally located, and is home to a number of architecturally significant homes and public works.
Located in West Omaha is Boys Town, an incorporated village near 132nd and Dodge Streets and is home to the famous institution of the same name. Also on the fringe of the city is Chalco, an unincorporated area southwest of Omaha in northern Sarpy County that forms its own neighborhood.
South 24th Street, Little Bohemia, Brown Park, Dog Hollow, Sheelytown, Little Italy, and Little Poland are all located in the throughout South Omaha.^[2] Spring Lake and Deer Park are also located in the area, as well as Field Club and the Omaha Quartermaster Depot Historic District.
In North Omaha, the area of East Omaha was the first annexation to the city in 1854, and is home to a large park and the city's airport. Miller Park is a neighborhood in far North Omaha primarily developed from 1920 to 1950, bound by 30th Street on the west and Florence Blvd on the east, Miller Park on the north and Sorenson Parkway on the south. The Fort Omaha Historic District borders this neighborhood. Immediately to the north is Minne Lusa, a neighborhood primarily developed from 1900-1950, bound by Miller Park on the south, Florence on the north, Florence Blvd and Pershing Drive on the east and 30th Street on the west.
Near North Omaha is a historical neighborhood close to downtown Omaha. It is bound by downtown Omaha on the south and Kountze Park to the north. Kountze was once a posh Omaha suburb, reachable only via streetcar. It consumed most of the former Saratoga community's land to the north. 30th Street on the west and 16th Avenue on the east border each of these areas. Omaha's Prospect Hill neighborhood is home to the city's pioneer cemetery of the same name, as well as some of the oldest homes in the city.

Former towns

The boundaries of Omaha have changed significantly since its founding, with subdivisions and annexations growing the city throughout its history. The following areas of the city were incorporated towns that have been annexed by the city of Omaha and are now communities within Omaha. Beechwood was located near the now-gone Florence Lake in East Omaha. It had its own school district, and the site is now occupied by several trailer courts. Benson is a neighborhood of north-central Omaha near 60th and Maple Streets; it was annexed in 1917. Dundee is a neighborhood in central Omaha near 50th and Dodge Streets. Originally a separate city, Dundee was annexed by Omaha in 1915, but this annexation was fought until 1917. Elkhorn takes its name from the Elkhorn River and was incorporated by an act of the territorial legislature in 1856. Annexed by Omaha on March 8, 2005 after a two-year court battle^[3], and Elkhorn became part of Omaha on March 1, 2007. The original town site is near 204th St. and West Maple Road in West Omaha.
Florence is a neighborhood in far north Omaha. The original Mormon settlement in Florence, called Cutler's Park, predates the city of Omaha with its founding in 1846. Florence was annexed by Omaha in 1917. Hayes was a historic town located two miles from Bennington that evaporated in the 1870s, when the railroad failed to come to the town. Millard is a broad area of southwest Omaha; originally a separate city, Omaha annexed it in 1971. The original town site is near 132nd and Q Streets. Saratoga is a historic neighborhood in North Omaha. The town was founded, boomed and busted within one year (1856-57). Its legacy includes a school, library and businesses still in the area.

Cities and towns

There are several cities and towns that surround Omaha that have not been annexed by the City of Omaha, but are suburbs of the city. The largest is Bellevue, which may be the oldest settlement in Nebraska and is the state's third largest city. It is located just south of Omaha in eastern Sarpy County. Bennington was founded in the 1880s, and was originally called "Bunz Town". Located northwest of the city, it was a key stop along the Fremont, Elkhorn, & Missouri Valley Railroad in the early 1900s. Carter Lake, Iowa, which was formerly on the eastern side of the Missouri River, today sits nestled into Nebraska. Irvington was first named Pappio because of its location on Pappio Creek, and the city is increasingly encroaching on this town in its northwestern corner. La Vista is a city south of Omaha in north-central Sarpy County. Papillion is a city south of Omaha and immediately south of La Vista. It is the county seat of Sarpy County. Ralston is a city in south-central Douglas County roughly bounded by 72nd, 84th, L, and Harrison Streets. It is surrounded by Omaha on three sides. The other side borders with La Vista. Valley was established in 1865 and was an important shipping point along the Union Pacific Railroad. Waterloo was established in 1883 along the Elkhorn and Platte rivers, and is south of Omaha.

See also

★ History of Omaha, Nebraska

★ List of neighborhoods in Omaha, Nebraska

References

1. (2007) Neighborhood Association Directory. City of Omaha. Retrieved 5/20/07.
2. (n.d.) Omaha (NE) Photograph Collection University of Minnesota.
3. City of Elkhorn V. City of Omaha