Omaha Nebraska History

Founded in 1854 by land speculators, Omaha was selected as the eastern terminus for the first transcontinental railroad in America, ensuring that Omaha would be a major transportation center for the country for years to come. The meatpacking industry came to town in the 1880s and Omaha became the fastest growing city in America. The Trans-Mississippi Exposition of 1898 attracted over two million visitors to Omaha, many of whom decided to stay and make Omaha their home. Progress continued until the Omaha Race Riot of 1919. A black man accused of raping a white woman was hung in public and his body was later drug through public streets. Civil unrest followed that resulted in the courthouse being burned and more political and civic disturbances. With World War II, the Enola Gay and Bock’s Car were manufactured at the Martin Aircraft Factory in Omaha. After the war, the Omaha Stockyards became the world’s largest livestock processing center.

Famous Americans born in Omaha include: President Gerald Ford, Malcolm X, Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, Nick Nolte and Warren Buffett. Today, Omaha boasts being ranked as the fifth “safestest place to live” in American cities of its size. It has also been named one of the top 10 healthiest places to live in American by the National Institute of Health and most recently listed among “America’s 50 Hottest Cities” by Expansion Management – 2005.