All are welcome here as my team and I take a deep dive into the rich history of Omaha. We will be posting daily about Omaha’s beginnings, neighborhoods, famous people of the region, private viewings into some of Omaha’s most loved buildings, real estate highlights, and so much more. I encourage you to follow along on Instagram and Facebook as we discover Omaha’s history together. If you want to add to something we’ve discovered, please message or comment. We are always grateful to learn more.
Here’s what you missed this week…
The city of Omaha was established in 1857. The map shown above breaks down plots for homes. Settlers from the east during this time had just begun to discover the growing potential of the west. Omaha was dubbed the “gateway to the west” as it was conveniently located on the river, and soon after, a main hub for rail that would expand the city and the rest of the United States. The Nebraska Territory was booming.
In 1889, you could live in a high-society home in Bemis Park starting at a mere $3,000. That number doesn’t reach near as far today as you can’t even buy windows for your home for that price. Bemis Park was designed by a well-known New Yorker, Mr. Alfred R. Egerton. Our team thought about the amount of time it would take to travel for a job like that and we have no desire to make that rail commute to check on planning progress! However, we are grateful that he did.
Bemis Park is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Omaha. As an Old Home Expert, my friends and clients have found my knowledge on the area and home styles to be extremely helpful as they prepare to put their homes on the market. People looking to move into Bemis Park need to understand and appreciate these old homes for what they are and could be when properly restored. If you’re thinking about discovering a life in Bemis Park, I hope you reach out to me. I would love to speak with you!
This week, I also covered the planning side of Omaha’s park and boulevard system. You will not find a boulevard in Omaha that does not have a park nearby. Some of the original planning cannot be seen today, but I hope I offered a glimpse into the beautiful features of our city.
More to come,
Tim
