The Church Built Top to Bottom – St. Mary Magdalene Church in Omaha
Omaha’s St. Mary Magdalene Church has the distinction of being built in reverse order. It's upper level was completed in 1903, its lower level in 1920. How is this possible?
Omaha
What We Found
Julius Meyer Indian Wigwam, 1878
A Jewish immigrant from Prussia, Julius Meyer followed his brothers to Omaha in the 1860s and made contact with various Indigenous nations in the region. Meyer said he ...
“Cocaine fiends” in Omaha, 1907
Advertisement for medicinal drops to relieve toothache, Lloyd Manufacturing Co., 1885. Courtesy National Library of Medicine
Cocaine was once touted for its ...
For career woman in 1930, “home’s still home”
"I honestly believe there is no sound reason why women should not be in business," Miss Loretta Larsen told the Omaha Bee-News in 1930. Larsen appeared in ...
Arbor Day Ceremonies Plant New Trees at Schools
Arbor Day originated in Nebraska in 1872 through the efforts of J. Sterling Morton and the State Board of Agriculture. The day became a legal holiday in ...
Lessons From the Northwestern School of Taxidermy
The Northwestern School of Taxidermy was incorporated in 1903 by J.W. Elwood, Paul F. Greve, and R.H. Smith, and was located at 1202 Howard Street in Omaha, Nebraska. ...
Didn’t like his wife’s cooking – a 1934 Omaha divorce sensation
By David L. Bristow, Editor
Frank wanted attention and he got it. Syndicated by the Associated Press, the above photo and caption appeared in newspapers ...
The Baysdorfers, Nebraska’s first aviators
By David L. Bristow
When Charles Baysdorfer prepared for takeoff near Waterloo, Nebraska, not only was he piloting a homebuilt biplane on its maiden flight, ...
Omaha was under martial law during 1935 streetcar strike
This is no parade. Headlined “MARTIAL LAW GRIPS OMAHA IN CAR STRIKE,” this 1935 newsreel has no sound, but shows the arrival of military trucks and 1,800 National ...
Elvis Presley’s Last Nebraska Performance
While Elvis Presley, famed “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” didn’t have direct ties to Nebraska, Omaha and Lincoln were the sites for two of his final performances in the summer ...
From the East Coast to Omaha University in the 1960s
"A real-life Jersey Boys story played out in Omaha six decades ago that revolved around athletics and academics, with a little bit of singing mixed in," writes ...
Omaha’s Memorial Park Riots of 1971
In July 1971, Omaha's Memorial Park saw four nights of a “bottle-throwing, club-swinging clash between youths and police."
(more…)
Help Shape History
Become a Member
Being a member is the easiest way to be involved in our mission to preserve and share our state's rich history. Find out how!
Volunteer
Volunteers work with History Nebraska staff members to support our mission
Start Your Career
Interested in joining the History Nebraska team? Keep an eye on job listings!
