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Few things define a city's history and heritage like its architecture. The buildings we create are the most permanent and visible symbols of our past. These structures can be examined as more than steel and stone; they are a visible record of the social, political, economic, and geographic forces that shaped the city of Omaha. After all, a city is more than just buildings and houses; it's a place where people are in constant interaction with each other and their surroundings. From a simple workers cottage to a grand cathedral each structure reflects the people who built, lived in and used these buildings.

Download Pictures The Underwriters How to Purchase Walls

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The amount of material turned up in our initial research would easily fill a 90 minute program, but that length would be difficult for both television scheduling and educational uses. Our solution was to develop three programs, each driven by a distinct narrative thread, but when taken as a whole tell a complete story.

Program One: Building the Gate City 1854-1898
The first episode will explore the geographical, political and economic forces behind the city's growth, as it changed from a frontier town which outfited pioneers heading west, to a railroad town, and then to a meat-packing center. While its early years were uncertain, in the 1880's Omaha experienced a period of tremendous growth, as evidenced by the permanence and grandeur of the architecture of that period. Omaha blossomed into the Gate City. Then, in the early 1890's, the country entered a deep depression, and by mid-decade, building came to a virtual standstill. By the late 1890's, an economic upturn renewed people's hope, and some high powered entrepreneurs determined that Omaha was going to not only regain its place as the "Gateway to the West," but also emerge as a world-class city. This spirit culminated with the the Trans-Mississippi Exposition in 1898.

Program Two: Making a Statement 1898-1940
This program will look at the public and commercial buildings in Omaha from roughly 1898 to 1940. The political and economic forces behind our great buildings will be examined, along with the study of them as works of art.
As the end of the 19th century approached, Omaha was the 20th largest city in the nation. With the Trans-Mississippi Exposition, Omaha was making a clear statement that it wanted to be considered in the same league as Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco, and other major metropolitan centers that held expositions. From the turn of the century through the pre-war years the heart of the city experienced rapid growth, and the construction of many of the buildings that are now Omaha's "landmarks." Another growth spurt hit in the 1920's; but with the stock market crash and the depression of the 1930's, only the government and the railroads were in a position to "make a statement" with new buildings. New construction would not resume until the end of the second World War.

Program Three: Living in the Gate City 1889-1940
The final episode will focus on what life was like in Omaha during the early part of this century, in boom times and depressions. It will examine the birth of the city's ethnic neighborhoods and the economic, cultural, and social forces that shaped them. As business expanded and filled in the inner city, Omaha began its westward expansion and the annexing of surrounding communities. Places of worship, stores, theatres, social halls, parks and transportation systems will be examined. Both great and modest single family homes will be covered, along with the rise of multi-family units.


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bshaffer@unomaha.edu

Last Modified 5/17/96