Omaha History, Nebraska

Against the Current The City Of Omaha is located in Nebraska, US. The territory of the city was acquired as an including part of the Louisiana Purchase that was completed in 1803 by Thomas Jefferson. The first inhabitants of the area were the groups from Native America. These Native American groups included the Otoe, Pawnee and Sioux. A group of Indians named as the Omaha Indians, who shared some cultural traditions with the Pawnee, later moved to the vicinity of today’s Omaha.

The name of the city “Omaha” actually means “against the current”.  William Clark along with Meriwether Lewis went pass the area on July 21, 1804 and found that the region can be a good area for fortification outpost and establishing business trades. It was then the fur trade that played a vital role in developing the region during the early stages. The Mormons during their trek west, established a non-Native settlement, which was first in the region, later known as the Cutler’s Park.

This place served as an area for temporary quarters for all individuals moving west from the month of June, 1846. The land lying on the western bank of River Missouri across the Council Bluffs was later opened to human settlement after the passage of the act of Kansas- Nebraska on May 30, 1854, thereby gaining the attention of developers. Until 1857, the land was not surveyed legally.

 It was Alfred D. Jones, who finally surveyed the land for Nebraska Ferry Company and the Council Bluffs. The name of the city was selected by the famous businessman Jesse Lowe. The opening of the territory was celebrated by organising a picnic on July 4, 1854, on the Capitol Hill (presently the Central High School). After a state legislature passed on February 2, 1857, the city of Omaha was officially incorporated.  The passage of the all important Pacific Railroad Act on June 24, 1862 was the most significant event that helped in the early development of Omaha. 

 The construction of the transcontinental railroad on the Missouri River was provided by the act. Abraham Lincoln visited the area during this time for his campaign of presidency. On May 10, 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed officially at the Promontory Point, Utah. The first public school building of Omaha was built in the month of September, 1963. There were nearly sixty-one schools with more than 500 teachers employed by the year of 1891. Industrialization was also on a high as the city and it became the third largest stockyard in 1893.

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• Omaha Old Market
  travel tip by Jackie posted more then 30 days ago
  Known also as the art and entertainment district of the city, the Omaha Old Market is a place worth visiting. There are several shops and restaurants to be found, museum and art galleries. Everyone with every kind of taste can find...
• General Crook House Museum
  travel tip by Wazling posted more then 30 days ago
  The newly renovated house of General George Crook is beautiful inside and out. There is also an adjoining garden with heirloom plants giving the place a tranquility feeling. The General Crook House Museum is a Victorian mansion and it...
• Freedom Park Navy Museum
  travel tip by tibi posted more then 30 days ago
  Accessible to public, being free (though donations are accepted), the Freedom Park Navy Museum is a gem across the Missouri River. Several helicopters, an amazing navy vessel and even a submarine can be found in this huge park,...

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