Omaha, Nebraska 46159 225951519 2008-07-16T04:30:52Z 76.2.19.231 /* Education */ {{Redirect|Omaha}} {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = City of Omaha |nickname = Gateway to the West |settlement_type = [[City]] |motto = {{lang|la|Fortiter in Re}}{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Latin]])<br />"Courageously in every enterprise"</small> |image_skyline = OmahaNE Aerial.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = An aerial view of [[Downtown Omaha]]. |image_flag = OmahaCityFlag.gif |image_seal = City_of_Omaha_NE_Seal.jpg |image_map = Douglas_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Omaha_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location in [[Nebraska]] and [[Douglas County, Nebraska|Douglas County]]. |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Nebraska|County]] |subdivision_name = [[United States]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Nebraska]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Douglas County, Nebraska|Douglas]] |government_type = |leader_title = [[List of mayors of Omaha|Mayor]] |leader_name = [[Michael Fahey]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]]) |leader_title1 = [[City Clerk]] |leader_name1 = [[Buster Brown (politician)|Buster Brown]] |leader_title2 = [[Omaha City Council|City Council]] |leader_name2 ={{Collapsible list |title = Members list |frame_style = border:none; padding: 0; |title_style = <!-- (optional) --> |list_style = text-align:left;display:none; |1 = District 1: [[Jim Suttle]] |2 = District 2: Frank Brown |3 = District 3: Jim Vokal |4=District 4: Garry Gernandt (Council Vice-President) |5=District 5: Dan Welch (Council President) |6=District 6: Franklin Thompson |7=District 7: Chuck Sigerson, Jr. }} |area_magnitude = 1 E8 |established_title = Founded |established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] |established_date = 1854 |established_date2 = 1857 |area_total_sq_mi = 118.9 |area_total_km2 = 307.9 |area_land_sq_mi = 115.7 |area_land_km2 = 299.7 |area_water_sq_mi = 3.2 |area_water_km2 = 8.2 |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_urban_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = <!--DO NOT CHANGE this section; yearly estimates are found in the Demographics section --> |population_as_of = [[United States Census, 2000|2000]] |population_note = <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE POPULATION DATA UNTIL THE NEXT US CENSUS--> |population_total = 390,007 (432,921: 2008 estimate) |population_metro = 829,890 |population_urban = 767,041 |population_density_km2 = 1301.5 |population_density_sq_mi = 3370.7 |timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]] |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]] |utc_offset_DST = -5 |latd = 41 |latm = 15 |lats = 37.74 |latNS = N |longd = 96 |longm = 0 |longs = 46.76 |longEW = W |elevation_m = 332 |elevation_ft = 1090 |postal_code_type = ZIP codes |postal_code = 68022, 68101-68164 |area_code = [[Area code 402|402]] |website = [http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/ www.ci.omaha.ne.us] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 31-37000{{GR|2}} |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 0835483{{GR|3}} |footnotes = }} '''Omaha''' is the largest city in the state of [[Nebraska]], [[United States]], and is the [[county seat]] of [[Douglas County, Nebraska|Douglas County]].{{GR|6}} It is located in the [[Midwestern United States]] on the [[Missouri River]], about 20 miles (30 km) north of the mouth of the [[Platte River]]. Omaha is the anchor of the [[Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area]], with [[Council Bluffs, Iowa|Council Bluffs]], [[Iowa]] sitting adjacent to Omaha across the Missouri River. According to the 2008 estimate, Omaha's population was 432,921.{{fact|date=July 2008 |Where does this figure come from?}} The city and its suburbs formed the 60th-largest [[metropolitan area]] in the United States in 2000, with an estimated population of 829,890 residing in eight counties or about 1.2 million within a 50 mile (80 km) radius.<ref>Goodsell, P. [http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10287909 "More Nebraskans move from rural counties to metro areas"], ''[[Omaha World-Herald]]''. March 20, 2008. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> <ref>Gonzalez, C. [http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10377702 "Communities experiencing big growth, census report says "], ''[[Omaha World-Herald]]''. July 10, 2008.</ref> The city grew on the [[Missouri River]], with the first settlement extending from the [[Lone Tree Ferry]] crossing from [[Kanesville, Iowa]] in the early 1850s.<ref name="Administration1">Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration. (1970) ''Nebraska: A Guide to the Cornhusker State.'' Nebraska State Historical Society. p. 241.</ref> Omaha earned its nickname, the "Gateway to the West", because of its central location as a [[transportation in Omaha|transportation hub]] for the [[United States]] in the mid-1800s.<ref>Mullens, P.A. (1901) ''Biographical Sketches of Edward Creighton and John A. Creighton.'' Creighton University. p 24.</ref> Along with transportation and [[Jobbing center|jobbing]], early industries that were important to the city were its [[Railroads in Omaha|railroads]], [[Brewery|breweries]], and [[Omaha Stockyards|stockyards]]. Today the [[economy of Omaha]] is diverse. The city is the home to five [[Fortune 500]] companies: [[ConAgra Foods]]; [[Union Pacific Corporation]]; [[Peter Kiewit and Sons, Inc.]]; [[Mutual of Omaha Companies]]; and [[Berkshire Hathaway]], the investment vehicle of legendary investor and so-called "[[Oracle of Omaha]]" [[Warren Buffett]]. In 2001 ''[[Newsweek]]'' identified Omaha as one of the Top 10 high-tech havens in the nation.<ref>Rogers, A. (2001) "High Tech Havens," ''Newsweek.'' </ref> Six national fiber optic networks converge in Omaha.<ref>Kotok, C.D. "A New Brand of Tech Cities," ''Newsweek''. April 30, 2001.</ref> [[The Gallup Organization]], [[TD Ameritrade]], [[PayPal]] and [[LinkedIn]] all have major operations or headquarters in Omaha. The city also is the home to three of the top 30 architectural and engineering firms in the world: [[Leo A. Daly Co.]], [[HDR, Inc.]] and [[DLR Group]].<ref>Gonchar, J. (2006) [http://archrecord.construction.com/people/profiles/archives/0607intergratedFirms.asp "Top 150 Architecture Firms: Integrated firms dominate architecture practice ranking"], ''Architectural Record.'' Retrieved 5/30/08.</ref> [[Tourism in Omaha]] benefits the city's economy greatly, with the annual [[College World Series]] providing important revenue<ref name="Nebraska1">Thompson, J. (2007) [http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10158365 "Skeptics of stadium look for return on funding"], ''[[Omaha World-Herald]]''. October 15. Retrieved 5/2/08.</ref> and the city's [[Henry Doorly Zoo]] serving as the top attraction in Nebraska.<ref>[http://netnebraska.org/extras/statewide/pers/desert_dome.html "Desert Dome: Dean of the Dome"], NET: Nebraska's NPR and PBS stations. Retrieved 5/2/08.</ref> The rich [[Culture in Omaha|cultural background]] of Omaha includes the [[Joslyn Art Museum]], the [[Durham Western Heritage Museum|Durham Museum]], the [[Holland Performing Arts Center]], and the [[Omaha Community Playhouse]], the country's largest. The city's [[History of Omaha, Nebraska|historical]] and cultural attractions have been lauded by numerous national newspapers, including the ''[[Boston Globe]]''<Ref>Daniel, D. (2005) [http://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2005/09/28/unexpected_omaha/ "Unexpected Omaha: 'Mystery tour' travelers are surprised at what they find,"] ''Boston Globe''. 10/28/05. Retrieved 8/22/07.</ref> and The ''[[New York Times]]''.<ref>Andersen, K. (2007) [http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03talk.omaha.t.html?em&ex=1174881600&en=c87bf745949a90b0&ei=5087%0A Omaha’s Culture Club]. ''New York Times T Style Magazine - Travel.'' 3/25/07. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> [[Music in Omaha]] has always been important to the city, with [[Culture of North Omaha, Nebraska|North Omaha]]'s music scene being historically significant and in modern times, the "Omaha Sound", defining an important trend across the nation.<ref>Dinova, N. (2005) "Mayday: Bushido Karaoke" on Saddle Creek". ''Washington Post'' 7/22/05. Retrieved 6/22/07.</ref> In 2008 ''[[Kiplinger's Personal Finance]]'' magazine ranked Omaha the No. 3 best city in the United States to "live, work and play."<ref>Wojno, M.A. [http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2008/07/2008-best-city-omaha.html "No. 3: Omaha, Neb."], ''Kiplinger's Personal Finance''. July 2008. Retrieved 6/1/08.</ref> ==History== {{Main article|History of Omaha, Nebraska}} {{See also|History of North Omaha, Nebraska}} [[Image:Logan fontenelle.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Logan Fontenelle]], leader of the [[Omaha Tribe]] that ceded land to the U.S. government that became the city of Omaha.]] Since the 1600s, the [[Omaha (tribe)|Omaha]], [[Pawnee]], [[Otoe tribe|Otoe]], the [[Missouri (tribe)|Missouri]], the [[Ponca]] and [[Ioway]] all variously occupied the land that became Omaha. The word "Omaha" (actually ''UmoNhoN'' or ''UmaNhaN'') means "Dwellers on the bluff".<ref>Mathews, J.J. (1961) ''The Osages: Children of the Middle Waters''. University of Oklahoma Press. pp 110, 128, 140, 282.</ref> The [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] passed by the riverbanks that would later become the city of Omaha in 1804, and met on [[Council Bluff]] at a point about 20 miles (30 km) north of present-day Omaha, at which point they met with the Otoe.<ref>(1987) [http://www-dial.jpl.nasa.gov/~steven/casde/atkinson/fort.html "The History of Fort Atkinson"], ''NEBRASKAland Magazine.'' Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> Immediately south of that area several outposts were built in succeeding years, including [[Fort Lisa]] in 1806;<ref>Morton & Watkins. (1918) [http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/OLLibrary/MWHNE/mwhne048.htm Fur Trade] ''History of Nebraska.'' p 53. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> [[Fort Atkinson (Nebraska)|Fort Atkinson]] in 1819;<ref>[http://www.nebraskahistory.org/archeo/atkinson.htm "Fort Atkinson"], [[Nebraska State Historical Society]]. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> and [[Cabanne's Trading Post]], built in 1822.<ref>[http://www.kancoll.org/books/andreas_ne/washington/washington-p1.html "Washington County"], ''Andreas' History of Nebraska''. Retrieved 4/28/08.</ref> The [[Mormons]] built a town called [[Cutler's Park]] in the area in 1846.<ref>[http://www.historicflorence.org/HistoricMarkers/CutlersParkMarker.htm "Cutler's Park Marker"], Florence Historical Society. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> ===Pioneer Omaha=== Before it was legal to claim land in [[Indian Country]], [[William D. Brown]] was operating the [[Lone Tree Ferry]] to bring settlers from [[Council Bluffs, Iowa|Council Bluffs]] to the area that became Omaha. Brown is generally credited as having the first vision for a city where Omaha now sits.<ref name="Administration1"/> The passage of the [[Kansas-Nebraska Act]] in 1854 was presaged by the staking out of claims around the area that was to become Omaha by residents from neighboring [[Council Bluffs, Iowa]]. The city was founded at a picnic on [[July 4]], [[1854]].<ref name="historicomaha1">Peterson, J. [http://www.historicomaha.com/hstrypag.htm "A short history of the early development of Omaha"], HistoricOmaha.com. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> Soon after the [[Omaha Claim Club]] was formed to provide [[vigilante]] justice for [[claim jumper]]s and others who infringed on the land of many of the city's [[Founding figures of Omaha, Nebraska|founding fathers]].<ref>Sheldon, A.E. (1904) [http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/OLLibrary/SCHofNE/pages/schn0077.htm "Chapter VII: Nebraska Territory,"] ''Semi-Centennial History of Nebraska''. Lincoln, NE: Lemon Publishing. Retrieved 7/14/07.</ref> Some of this land was later used to entice [[Nebraska Territorial Legislature|Nebraska Territory legislators]] in an area called [[Scriptown]].<ref>(1898) [http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/andreas/douglas/douglas-p4.html "Douglas County"] ''Andreas' History of Nebraska.'' Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> The [[U.S. Supreme Court]] later ruled against numerous landowners whose violent actions were condemned in ''[[Baker v. Morton]]''.<ref>Baumann, L. Martin, C., Simpson, S. (199) ''Omaha's Historic Prospect Hill Cemetery: A History of Prospect Hill Cemetery with Biographical Notes on Over 1400 People Interred Therein.'' Prospect Hill Cemetery Historical Development Foundation.</ref> Many of Omaha's [[Founding figures of Omaha, Nebraska|founding figures]] stayed at the [[Douglas House (Omaha)|Douglas House]] or the [[Cozzens House Hotel]].<ref>Federal Writers Project. (1939) ''Nebraska.'' Nebraska State Historical Society. p 239.</ref> [[Dodge Street]] was important early in the city's history; soon after [[North 24th Street]] and [[South Omaha Main Street Historic District|South 24th Street]] followed in importance.<ref>[http://www.historicomaha.com/walktour.htm "Walking tour of downtown Omaha"], HistoricOmaha.com. Retrieved 3/26/08.</ref> Most early pioneers were buried in [[Prospect Hill Cemetery]], next to soldiers from [[Fort Omaha]], early [[Ethnic groups in Omaha, Nebraska|European immigrants]] and [[African Americans in Omaha, Nebraska|African Americans]].<ref>[http://www.nde.state.ne.us/SS/markers/287.html Historic Prospect Hill - Omaha's Pioneer Cemetery]. Nebraska Department of Education. Retrieved 7/7/07.</ref> There are several other [[Cemeteries in Omaha, Nebraska|historical cemeteries in Omaha]], as well as historical [[Jews and Judaism in Omaha, Nebraska|Jewish synagogues]] and [[Christianity in Omaha, Nebraska|Christian churches]], as well. ===19th century=== [[Image:hotelfontenelle.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|The [[Hotel Fontenelle]], formerly located in downtown Omaha.]] The [[economy of Omaha]] boomed and busted through its early years. First the [[Jobber's Canyon|jobbing and wholesaling district]] brought new jobs; followed by the [[Railroads in Omaha|railroads]] and the [[Omaha Stockyards|stockyards]], these industries were the most important in the city's early years. [[Ethnic groups in Omaha, Nebraska|Immigrants]] soon created [[ethnic enclave]]s throughout the city, including [[Little Italy (Omaha, Nebraska)|Little Italy]], [[Near North Side (Omaha, Nebraska)|Near North Side]], [[Sheelytown]], and [[Little Bohemia (Omaha, Nebraska)|Little Bohemia]]. Within twenty years of the founding of the Stockyards in [[South Omaha]], four of the five major meatpacking companies in the United States were located in Omaha. Beginning in the late 1800s Omaha's upper class lived in posh suburbs throughout the city, including the south and [[Gold Coast Historic District|north]] Gold Coast neighborhoods, [[Bemis Park]], [[Kountze Place]], [[Field Club]] and throughout [[Midtown Omaha]]. They traveled the city's sprawling [[Parks in Omaha|park system]] on [[Boulevards in Omaha|boulevards]] designed by renowned [[landscape architect]] [[Horace Cleveland]]. The [[Omaha Horse Railway]] first carried passengers throughout the city, as did the later [[Omaha Cable Tramway Company]] and several similar companies. The [[Omaha and Council Bluffs Railway and Bridge Company]] built the [[Douglas Street Bridge]], the first pedestrian and wagon bridge between Omaha and Council Bluffs, in 1888. Gambling, drinking and prostitution were widespread in the 19th century. Controlled by Omaha's [[political boss]] [[Tom Dennison (Political boss)|Tom Dennison]] by 1890, [[Crime in Omaha|criminal elements]] enjoyed support from Omaha's "perpetual" mayor, [[James Dahlman|"Cowboy Jim"]] Dahlman, nicknamed for his eight terms as mayor. Prostitution was rampant in the city's [[Burnt District]] and later in the [[Sporting District]]. In 1891 a mob hanged an African American porter named [[Joe Coe]] after he was accused of raping a white girl. In 1898 Omaha's leaders, under the guidance of [[Gurdon Wattles]], held the [[Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition]], touted as a celebration of agricultural and industrial growth throughout the [[Midwest]]. The [[Indian Congress]], which drew more than 500 [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indians]] from across the country, was held simultaneously. More than 2,000,000 visitors attended the event, held in [[Kountze Park]] and the [[Omaha Driving Park]]. ===20th century=== [[Image:Tibbets-wave.jpg|thumb|100px|left|[[Paul Tibbets]] waving from the [[Enola Gay]] before the bombing of Hiroshima]] In 1900 Omaha was the center of a national uproar over the [[kidnap]]ping of [[Edward Cudahy, Jr.]], the son of a local [[meatpacking]] magnate.<ref>[http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/timeline/cudahy_kidnapping.htm "Cudahy Kidnapping"]. Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 9/25/07.</ref> The 20th century introduced major [[Timeline of riots and civil unrest in Omaha, Nebraska|civil unrest]] in Omaha, as the city's labor and management clashed, [[Racial tension in Omaha, Nebraska|racial tension]] escalated, and ethnic strife lingered.<ref>Larsen and Cotrell. (2002) Omaha: The Gate City. University of Nebraska Press. p 172.</ref> A major riot in South Omaha destroyed the city's [[Greek Town]] in 1909, completely disbanding the Greek population in Omaha.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C05E1D91731E733A25751C2A9649C946897D6CF "South Omaha mob wars on Greeks"], ''The New York Times.'' February 22, 1909. Retrieved 5/25/08.</ref> The [[Civil Rights Movement in Omaha, Nebraska|civil rights movement in Omaha]] has roots that extend back to 1912, when the first chapter of the [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]] west of the [[Mississippi River]] was founded in the city.<ref>Nebraska Writers Project. (1938) ''[http://www.memoriallibrary.com/NE/Ethnic/Negro/ Negroes in Nebraska]'' Works Progress Administration. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> In 1919 the city was caught up in the [[Red Summer]] when 10,000 people gathered downtown to [[Will Brown|lynch Willy Brown]]. In addition to dismembering him and burning his body, the crowd caused more than $1,000,000 damage to the [[Douglas County Courthouse (Omaha, Nebraska)|Douglas County Courthouse]].<ref>(1994) ''Street of Dreams.'' (VHS) Nebraska Public Television.</ref> The [[Culture in North Omaha, Nebraska|culture of North Omaha]] thrived throughout the 1920s, with several creative figures, including [[Tillie Olsen]], [[Wallace Thurman]], [[Lloyd Hunter]], and [[Anna Mae Winburn]] emerging from the vibrant [[Near North Side (Omaha, Nebraska)|Near North Side]].<ref>[http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/nebraska/douglas.htm "Nebraska National Register Sites in Douglas County]." [[Nebraska State Historical Society]]. Retrieved 4/30/07. </ref> After the tumultuous [[Great Depression]] during the 1930s, Omaha rebounded with the development of [[Offutt Air Force Base]] just south of the city. The [[Glenn L. Martin Company]] operated a factory there in the 1940s that produced 521 [[B-29]] ''Superfortresses'', including the ''[[Enola Gay]]'' and ''[[Bockscar]]''.<ref>(2006) ''[http://www.foia.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080502-021.pdf Economic Impact Analysis: Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska].'' United States Air Force. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> The construction of [[Interstate highway|Interstates]] [[Interstate 80|80]], [[Interstate 480 (Iowa-Nebraska)|480]] and [[Interstate 680 (Iowa-Nebraska)|680]], along with the [[North Omaha Freeway]], spurred development but caused controversy, particularly in [[North Omaha]], which was bisected by new routes.<ref>(2001) [http://pio.neded.org/press/2001/01rel21.htm "State's top community development projects honored"], Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Retrieved 4/7/07.</ref> [[Creighton University]] hosted the [[DePorres Club]], an early civil rights group whose strategies predated the national movement, starting in 1947.<ref>(2004) [http://press.creighton.edu/030504/cu125.html "125 years of memorable moments,"] ''The Creightonian Online. 83''(19).</ref> In 1969, [[Woodmen Tower]] was completed and became Omahas tallest building and first major skyscraper of Omaha at {{convert|478|ft|m|abbr=on}}. There were three major race riots along [[North 24th Street]] in the 1960s which destroyed the [[Near North Side (Omaha, Nebraska)|Near North Side's]] economic base for many years after.<ref>Luebtke, F.C. (2005) ''Nebraska: An Illustrated History.'' [[University of Nebraska Press]]. p. 372.</ref> Since the 1970s Omaha has continued expanding and growing. [[West Omaha]] has become home to the majority of the city's population, while North and South Omaha's populations are acknowledged for their economic and racial diversity.<ref>(2006) ''[http://www.naacpldf.org/content/pdf/heineman/NAACP_v_Heineman.pdf NAACP v. Heineman]''. NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> [[Downtown Omaha]] has been rejuvenated in numerous ways, primarily featuring the development of the [[Old Market]], the demolition of [[Jobber's Canyon]], and the development of several downtown skyscrapers and cultural institutions.<ref>Bednarek, J.R.D. (1992) ''The Changing Image of the City: Planning for Downtown Omaha, 1945-1973.'' University of Nebraska Press.</ref> [[One First National Center]] was completed in 2002, replacing the [[Woodmen Tower]] as the tallest building in Omaha at {{convert|638|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The creation of [[NoDo]] included the construction of the [[Qwest Center]] and the [[Slowdown (venue)|Slowdown]]/[[Film Streams]] development at North 14th and Webster Streets.<ref>Stempel, J. (2008) [http://www.forbes.com/reuters/feeds/reuters/2008/05/04/2008-05-04T170111Z_01_N04334497_RTRIDST_0_OMAHA-NORTHDOWNTOWN-BUSINESSFEATURE.html "Omaha bets on NoDo to extend downtown revival"], [[Reuters]]. May 6, 2008. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> New construction has occurred throughout the city, with important developments throughout West Omaha and on the site of the former [[Ak-Sar-Ben]] arena.<ref>[http://www.heartlandrebusiness.com/articles/NOV07/snapshot1.html "Heartland Snapshot: Omaha retail market"], Heartland Real Estate Business. November 2007. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> ===Major events=== Major events in Omaha's history include: * The settlement of [[Winter Quarters]] in 1846<ref>Larsen, L and Cotrell, B.J. (1997) ''The Gate City: A history of Omaha.'' University of Nebraska Press. p 6.</ref> * A founder's day picnic held on [[July 4]] [[1854]]<ref name="historicomaha1"/> * Groundbreaking for the [[First Transcontinental Railroad]] in 1863 * Founding of the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] in 1867<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/tcrr/peopleevents/p_durant.html "American Experience: People & Events: Thomas Clark Durant (1820-1885)"]. PBS.org. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> * Founding of the [[Omaha Stockyards]] in 1883<ref>Larsen, L. and Cottrell, B.J. (1997) ''The Gate City: A history of Omaha.'' University of Nebraska Press. p. 73</ref> * [[Great Flood of 1881]] * [[Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition]] in 1898<ref>Larsen, L. and Cottrell, B.J. (1997) ''The Gate City: A history of Omaha.'' University of Nebraska Press. p. 43.</ref> * [[Omaha Easter Sunday Tornado (1913)|Omaha Easter Sunday Tornado of 1913]] * The [[Omaha Race Riot of 1919]]<ref>[http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0700/frameset_reset.html?http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0700/stories/0701_0134.html "A horrible lynching,"] NebraskaStudies.org. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> * The relocation of [[Strategic Air Command]] to Omaha in 1948 * [[Omaha Tornado of 1975]] * [[Great Storm of 1975]] * Demolition of [[Jobber's Canyon]] for the redevelopment of [[Downtown Omaha]] in 1989<ref>Gratz, R.B. (1996) ''Living City: How America's Cities Are Being Revitalized by Thinking Small in a Big Way.'' John Wiley and Sons. p v.</ref> * Hosting the 2008 Olympic Team Trials for swimming<ref>[http://www.usaswimming.org/usasweb/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1062&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US 2008 Olympia Team Trials]. USASwimming.org. Retrieved 5/27/08.</ref> ==Cityscape== [[Image:Omaha skyline.jpg|thumb|600px|center|Omaha's skyline as seen from the northeast in Iowa]] === Metropolitan area === {{main|Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area}} [[Image:omaha c bluffs.jpg|thumb|310px|Satellite photo showing Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa]] The Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area consists of eight counties; five in Nebraska and three in Iowa. In descending order of population, they are: *[[Douglas County, Nebraska]] *[[Sarpy County, Nebraska]] *[[Pottawattamie County, Iowa]] *[[Cass County, Nebraska]] *[[Saunders County, Nebraska]] *[[Washington County, Nebraska]] *[[Harrison County, Iowa]] *[[Mills County, Iowa]] The Omaha-Council Bluffs [[Combined Statistical Area]] comprises the Omaha-Council Bluffs [[United States metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]] and the [[Fremont, Nebraska|Fremont]] [[United States micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]; the CSA has a population of 858,720 (2005 Census Bureau estimate). Omaha ranks as the 42nd-largest city in the United States, and is the core city of its 60th-largest metropolitan area. ===Neighborhoods=== {{main|Neighborhoods of Omaha, Nebraska}} [[Image:Omaha neighborhoods.png|left|thumbnail|[[Downtown Omaha|Downtown]]-lime, [[Midtown Omaha|Midtown]]-blue-gray, [[North Omaha|North]]-red, [[South Omaha|South]]-pink, [[West Omaha|West]]-lavender]] Omaha is generally divided into five geographic areas: [[Downtown Omaha|Downtown]], [[Midtown Omaha|Midtown]], [[North Omaha]], [[South Omaha]] and [[West Omaha]]. There is also small community in [[East Omaha]]. The city has a wide range of historical and new neighborhoods and suburbs that reflect its [[socioeconomic]] diversity. Early neighborhood development of ethnic enclaves, including [[Little Italy (Omaha, Nebraska)|Little Italy]], [[Little Bohemia (Omaha, Nebraska)|Little Bohemia]] and [[Greek Town]], have given way to [[gated communities]]. Recently, Omahans have made strides to revitalize a healthy and vibrant [[Downtown Omaha|downtown area]], including the redevelopment of the [[Old Market]] and the designation of the [[Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District]]. At the turn of the century the City of Omaha annexed several surrounding communities, including [[Florence, Nebraska|Florence]], [[Dundee, Nebraska|Dundee]] and [[Benson, Nebraska|Benson]]. At the same time, the city annexed all of [[South Omaha]], including its historic neighborhoods such as [[Dahlman neighborhood|Dahlman]] and [[Burlington Road neighborhood|Burlington Road]]. From its first annexation in 1857 (of [[East Omaha]]) to its recent and controversial annexation of [[Elkhorn, Nebraska|Elkhorn]], Omaha has constantly had an eye towards growth. ===Landmark preservation=== [[Image:091407-JoslynCastle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The [[Joslyn Castle]] is home to the [[Joslyn Castle Institute]], a nonprofit environmental organization.]] {{main|Landmarks in Omaha, Nebraska}} {{Main|List of Registered Historic Places in Douglas County, Nebraska}} Omaha is home to dozens of nationally, regionally and locally significant landmarks. The city has more than a dozen [[historic district]]s, including [[Fort Omaha Historic District]], [[Gold Coast Historic District]], [[Omaha Quartermaster Depot Historic District]], Field Club Historic District, Bemis Park Historic District, and the [[South Omaha Main Street Historic District]]. Omaha is notorious for its 1989 demolition of 24 buildings in the [[Jobbers Canyon Historic District]], which represented the largest loss of buildings on the National Register ever lost to date.<ref>Gratz, R.B. (1996) ''Living City: How America's Cities Are Being Revitalized by Thinking Small in a Big Way.'' John Wiley and Sons. p. V.</ref> The only original building still standing is the [[Nash Block]]. Omaha has almost [[List of Registered Historic Places in Douglas County, Nebraska|one hundred individual properties]] listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], including the [[Bank of Florence]], [[Holy Family Catholic Church (Omaha, Nebraska)|Holy Family Church]], the [[Christian Specht Building]] and the [[Joslyn Castle]]. There are also three properties designated as highly-selective [[National Historic Landmark]]s. [[Omaha Landmarks|Locally designated landmarks]] including residential, commercial, religious, educational, agricultural and socially significant locations across the city accentuate Omaha's cultural legacy and important history. The [[Government of Omaha|City of Omaha]] [[Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission]] is the government body that works with the [[mayor of Omaha]] and the [[Omaha City Council]] to protect historic places. Important history organizations in the community include the [[Douglas County Historical Society]] and [[Landmarks, Inc.]] ==Culture== {{main|Culture in Omaha}} {{main|Culture in North Omaha, Nebraska}} [[Image:Joslyn Fountain Court.jpg|thumb|350px|left|[[Joslyn Art Museum]]'s tiled Fountain Court]] Omaha is home to the [[Omaha Community Playhouse]], the largest [[community theater]] in the [[United States]].<ref>(nd) [http://www.omahaplayhouse.com/history.aspx OCP History]. Omaha Community Playhouse. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> The [[Omaha Symphony Orchestra]] and its modern [[Holland Performing Arts Center]]<ref>Hassebroek, A. (2006) "[http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/693246/holland_center_further_energized_omahas_lively_culture/index.html Holland Center Further Energized Omaha's Lively Culture.]" ''Omaha World Herald.'' 10/15/06. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref>, the [[Opera Omaha]] at the [[Orpheum, Omaha|Orpheum]] theater, the [[Blue Barn Theatre]], and [[The Rose, Omaha|The Rose Theater]] form the backbone of Omaha's [[Theatre in Omaha|performing arts community]]. Opened in 1931, the [[Joslyn Art Museum]] has significant art collections.<ref>(nd) [http://affiliations.si.edu/AffiliateDetail.Asp?AffiliateID=180 Smithsonian Affiliations. Smithsonian Institute. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> Since its inception in 1976, [[Omaha Children's Museum]] has been a place where children can challenge themselves, discover how the world works and learn through play. The largest urban artists' colony in the world, the [[Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts]], was founded in Omaha in 1981<ref>(2006) [http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/insight/pdfs/omaha/146_156.pdf Insight Omaha: The Art of it All]. ''Hemispheres Magazine''. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref>, and the [[Durham Western Heritage Museum]] is accredited with the [[Smithsonian Institution]] for traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian<ref>(nd) [http://www.dwhm.org/info-history.asp History]. Durham Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref>. The annual [[Omaha Blues, Jazz, & Gospel Festival]] celebrates local music along with the [[Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame]]. In 1955 Omaha's [[Union Stockyards (Omaha)|Union Stockyards]] overtook [[Chicago]]'s stockyards as the United States' meat packing center, and this legacy is reflected in Omaha's renowned steakhouses like [[Gorat's]] and the recently closed [[Mister C's]], as well as through the retail chain [[Omaha Steaks]]. [[Image:Henry Doorly Zoo.jpg|thumb|150px|Entrance to the Henry Doorly Zoo]] The [[Henry Doorly Zoo]] is widely considered one of the premier zoos in the world.<ref>(2003) "36 hours in Omaha." ''New York Times.'' 10/24/03. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> It houses the world's largest indoor rainforest exhibit, indoor desert exhibit, and nocturnal animal exhibit, the largest cat complex in North America, and one of the country's best aquariums outside of [[SeaWorld]]. Omaha's historic downtown area known as the [[Old Market]] boasts an incredible history of its own. The entire twelve city blocks that it rests on are recognized by the National Register of Historical Places. Today its warehouses and other buildings house shops, restaurants, bars, and art galleries. The [[Omaha Botanical Gardens]] features 100 acres (40 [[hectare]]s), while the new [[Kenefick Park]] recognizes Union Pacific's long history in Omaha. [[North Omaha, Nebraska|North Omaha]] is the home to several historical [[Culture in North Omaha, Nebraska|cultural]] attractions, including the [[Jewell Building|Dreamland Historical Project]], [[Love’s Jazz & Art Center]], and the John Beasley Theater. The annual [[River City Roundup]] is celebrated at [[Fort Omaha]]; [[Florence, Nebraska|Florence Days]] celebrate [[Florence, Nebraska|Florence]] history, and; [[Native Omaha Days]] is a biennial event celebrating [[Near North Side (Omaha, Nebraska)|Near North Side]] heritage. There is a long history of religious influence throughout the Omaha area. The [[Christianity in Omaha, Nebraska|city's Christian community]] includes several historical churches dating from the founding of the city, as well as small, medium and [[megachurch]]es. Omaha hosts the [[Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple|only LDS temple in Nebraska]], along with a significant [[Jews and Judaism in Omaha, Nebraska|Jewish community]]. The [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha]] includes 152 parishes, while there are several [[Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox Christian]] congregations throughout the city, as well. ===Sports=== [[Image:P6150385.JPG|300px|thumb|Main entrance to the Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium]] {{main|Sports in Omaha, Nebraska}} {{see|Trails in Omaha}} Omaha's [[Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium]] is home to the [[Omaha Royals]] minor-league baseball team (the AAA affiliate of the [[Kansas City Royals]]). Since 1950, it has hosted the annual [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[College World Series]] men's baseball tournament in mid-June.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailysentinel.com/news/content/shared/sports/stories/BBC_ORGANIST_0622_COX.html |title=This player at CWS knows all the scores |last=Bohls |first=Kirk |publisher=[[Cox News Service]] |date=[[2004-06-22]] |accessdate=2006-06-19}}</ref> However there are plans to move the CWS downtown to a [[New Omaha Ballpark|new stadium]]. A tribute to Omaha's meatpacking past, the [[Omaha Beef]] [[indoor football]] team plays at the [[Omaha Civic Auditorium]]. The [[Creighton University]] [[Creighton Bluejays|Bluejays]] compete in a number of [[NCAA Division I]] sports. In addition to [[baseball]] they play [[soccer]] at [[Morrison Stadium]] and [[basketball]] at the [[Qwest Center Omaha|Qwest Center]]. [[Ice hockey]] is a popular spectator sport in Omaha. The two Omaha-area teams are the [[Omaha Lancers]], a [[United States Hockey League|USHL]] team that plays in the neighboring city of [[Council Bluffs, IA|Council Bluffs]] at the [[Mid-America Center]]<ref>(nd) [http://www.lancers.com/leagues/Lancers_TeamHistory.cfm?clientid=1996&leagueid=4581 Team History]. Omaha Lancers. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> and the [[University of Nebraska at Omaha]] [[UNO Mavericks|Mavericks]], an NCAA Division I team that plays at the Qwest Center. Omaha has a thriving running community and many miles of paved running and biking trails throughout the city and surrounding communities. Chief among these is the Keystone Trail. The Omaha Marathon, which also includes a Half Marathon and 10K race, takes place annually in September. Omaha is the birthplace of numerous important historical and modern sports figures, including [[1960 Summer Olympics]] Gold Medalist and NBA star [[Bob Boozer]]; [[Baseball Hall of Fame]]r [[Bob Gibson]]; 1989 [[American League]] Rookie of the Year [[Gregg Olson]]; NFL Running back [[Ahman Green]]; [[Heisman Trophy]] winners [[Johnny Rodgers]], and [[Eric Crouch]]; [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]r [[Gale Sayers]]; and champion tennis player [[Andy Roddick]]. {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:120%" |- ! colspan=5 | Professional Sports in Omaha |- ! Club !! Sport !! League !! Venue !! Championships |- | [[Omaha Royals]] || [[Baseball]] || [[Minor league baseball#AAA|AAA minor league]] || [[Rosenblatt Stadium]] || |- | [[Omaha Beef]] || [[Indoor football]] || [[United Indoor Football]] || [[Omaha Civic Auditorium]] || |- | [[Omaha Lancers]] || [[Hockey]] || [[United States Hockey League]] Western Division || [[Mid-America Center]] |- | [[Nebraska Extreme]] || Semi-professional football || [[American Professional Football League]] || Unknown |- |} ===Music=== {{main|Music of Omaha}} Omaha has a rich history in rhythm & blues and jazz as the home ground for a number of influential bands, including [[Anna Mae Winburn]]'s [[Cotton Club Boys]] and [[Lloyd Hunter]]'s Seranaders. Homegrown talent includes [[rock and roll]] pioneer [[Wynonie Harris]], jazz great [[Preston Love]], drummer [[Buddy Miles]], [[Luigi Waites]], and many others. [[Doug Ingle]] from the late 60's band [[Iron Butterfly]] is also from Omaha. Contemporary music groups either located in or originally from Omaha include [[Mannheim Steamroller]], [[Bright Eyes (band)|Bright Eyes]], [[The Faint]], [[Cursive (band)|Cursive]], [[Azure Ray]], [[Tilly and the Wall]], [[LoveTap(band)|A Moment Lost]] and [[311 (band)|311]]. The late indie-folk singer/songwriter [[Elliott Smith]] was also from Omaha. During the late 1990s, Omaha became nationally known as the birthplace of [[Saddle Creek Records]], and the subsequent "Omaha Sound" was borne from their bands' collective style.<ref>Schulte, B. (2003) "[http://www.stratcom.mil/about-work-omaha.html The Story of Omaha; Nebraska City Gets a Makeover: Cow Town to Urban Hip]." ''Washington Post,'' 12/14/03. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> Omaha also has a fledgling [[hip hop]] scene that includes [[Pigeon John]], [[Mars Black]] and long-time bastion [[Houston Alexander]], a one-time graffiti artist, professional [[Mixed Martial Arts]] competitor, and current local hip-hop radio show host.<ref>Losa, J. (2006) [http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/717224/on_the_town_fans_should_support_local_hiphop/index.html "On the Town: Fans Should Support Local Hip-Hop."] ''Omaha World-Herald''. 11/2/06. Retrieved 7/1/07.</ref> Cerone Thomas, known as [[Scrybe]], has had a number one single on college radio stations across the United States.<ref>Davis, R. (2005) [ "UNO rapper, student hits No. 1 on local radio station with current single."] ''The Gateway.'' 10/21/05. Retrieved 6/17/07.</ref> A long heritage of ethic and cultural bands have come from Omaha. While the [[Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame]] celebrates the city's long history of African American music, the [[Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band]] carries on a Scottish legacy in Omaha. Internationally renowned classical conductor [[Antonín Dvořák]] wrote his ''9th Symphony: From The New World'' after visiting Omaha's robust [[Czechs in Omaha, Nebraska|Czech communitiy]] in 1893 based on his impressions of the region.<ref>[http://www.unl.edu/Czechheritage/CzechMusic2.htm "Czech music in Omaha",] University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Retrieved 9/17/07.</ref> In the period surrounding [[World War I]] [[Valentin J. Peter]] encouraged [[Germans in Omaha]] to celebrate their rich musical heritage, too, with [[Frederick Metz]], [[Gottlieb Storz]] and [[Frederick Krug]] were all influential brewers in the city whose [[beer garden]]s kept many German bands active throughout the city. === Film === <!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:369842.1020.A.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A 1939 ''[[Union Pacific (film)|Union Pacific]] promo poster.]] --> In 1939, the world premiere of the film ''[[Union Pacific (film)|Union Pacific]]'' was held in Omaha, Nebraska and the accompanying three-day celebration drew 250,000 people. A special train from [[Hollywood]] to Omaha carried director [[Cecil B. DeMille]] and stars [[Barbara Stanwyck]] and [[Joel McCrea]]. Omaha's [[Girls and Boys Town]] was made famous by the [[Spencer Tracy]] and [[Mickey Rooney]] movie "[[Boys Town (film)|Boys Town]]". Omaha has been showcased in recent years by a handful of relatively big budget [[motion pictures]]. The city's most extensive exposure can be accredited to Omaha native [[Alexander Payne]], the [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-nominated director who shot parts of ''[[About Schmidt]]'', ''[[Citizen Ruth]]'' and ''[[Election (1999 film)|Election]]'' in the city and suburbs of Papillion and LaVista. The demolition of the [[Cinerama]] [[Indian Hills Theater]] by Nebraska Methodist Hospital represented a real loss to American cinematic history.<ref>Haines, R. ''The Moviegoing Experience, 1968-2001''. p. 231.</ref> The [[Dundee Theatre]] is the lone surviving single-screen movie theater in Omaha and still shows films.<ref>(nd) [http://www.dundeetheatre.com/about.html About Us]. Dundee Theatre. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> A recent development to the Omaha film scene was the addition of the Ruth Sokolof Theater in [[NoDo]]. The two-screen theater features new American independents, foreign films, and documentaries, as well as classics, themed series, and director retrospectives. === Media === {{main|Media in Omaha, Nebraska}} The Omaha metropolitan area is served by the ''[[Omaha World-Herald]]'', the city's major newspaper and the largest employee-owned newspaper in the United States, as well as ''[[The Reader (Omaha)|The Reader]]'', and ''[[Omaha Magazine]]''. ''[[The Omaha Star]]'', founded in 1938 in North Omaha, is Nebraska's only African American newspaper.<ref>(2007) "Omaha Star receives award," ''The Reader''. Jan 25, 2007.</ref> The city also has 4 television news stations. == Demographics == {| class="wikitable" style="float:right;" |align=center colspan=2| '''Omaha<br>Population by decade''' |- |1860 || 1,883 |- |1870 || 16,083 |- |1880 || 30,518 |- |1890 || 140,452 |- |1900 || 102,555 |- |1910 || 124,096 |- |1920 || 191,061 |- |1930 || 214,006 |- |1940 || 223,844 |- |1950 || 251,117 |- |1960 || 301,598 |- |1970 || 346,929 |- |1980 || 313,939 |- |1990 || 335,795 |- |2000 || 390,007 |- |2006 || 427,872 (est.) |} As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there are 390,007 people, 156,738 households, and 94,983 families residing within city limits. The [[population density]] is 3,370.7 people per square mile (1,301.5/km²). There are 165,731 housing units at an average density of 1,432.4/sq&nbsp;mi (553.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 78.39% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 13.31% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.67% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.74% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.91% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.92% from two or more races. 7.54% of the population are [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race. There are 156,738 households out of which 30.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% are [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% are non-families. 31.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.10. In the city the average age of the population is diverse with 25.6% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.2 males. The median income for a household in the city is $40,006, and the median income for a family is $50,821. Males have a median income of $34,301 versus $26,652 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city is $21,756. 11.3% of the population and 7.8% of families are below the [[poverty line]]. Out of the total population, 15.6% of those under the age of 18 and 7.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. ===People=== {{main|Ethnic groups in Omaha, Nebraska}} Omaha was founded by [[white Anglo-Saxon Protestant]]s from neighboring Council Bluffs. Over the next 100 years countless [[Ethnic groups in Omaha, Nebraska|ethnic groups]] have enriched the city, including [[Mexicans in Omaha, Nebraska|Mexicans]], [[Jews and Judaism in Omaha, Nebraska|Jews]], [[African Americans in Omaha, Nebraska|African Americans]], Scandinavians, [[Irish in Omaha, Nebraska|Irish]], [[Poles in Omaha, Nebraska|Poles]], [[Native American tribes in Nebraska|Native Americans]], [[Czechs in Omaha, Nebraska|Czechs]], Asians, [[Germans in Omaha, Nebraska|Germans]], [[Greeks in Omaha, Nebraska|Greeks]] and many others. Today the city is growing with new immigrants from Sudan, Central and South American countries. ===Racial and ethnic tension=== {{main|Racial Tension in Omaha, Nebraska}} Omaha has been racially and ethnically diverse since its founding. At times rapid population change, overcrowded housing and job competition have aroused racial and ethnic tensions. The [[Greeks in Omaha, Nebraska|Greek Town]] Riot in 1909 flared after increased Greek immigration raised fears. Postwar tensions and job uncertainty contributed to the lynching of Willy Brown and the [[Omaha Race Riot of 1919]], in a summer marked by riots in other major cities. In the 1960s there were several race-related riots in North Omaha, including one at the [[Logan Fontenelle Housing Project]] in the [[Near North Side (Omaha, Nebraska)|Near North Side]] community. The [[Black Panther Party]] was involved in tensions in the late 1960s, which culminated in the ''[[cause célèbre]]'' known as the [[Rice/Poindexter Case]]. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, gang violence and incidents between the [[Omaha Police Department]] and members of the African American community further aggravated relations between groups in [[North Omaha|north]] and [[South Omaha]]. ===Notable residents=== {{main|List of people from Omaha, Nebraska}} [[Image:Vcvg16.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Fred and Adele Astaire circa 1906 in Omaha.]] Omaha is the historic and modern birthplace and home of many notable politicians, actors, musicians, business leaders, sportsmen and cultural leaders. Activist and son of a Baptist minister, [[Malcolm X]], first known as Malcolm Little, was born in Omaha in 1925. The [[Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens|Gerald Ford birthplace site]] memorializes the 38th President. Numerous actors, including [[Gabrielle Union]], [[Fred Astaire]] and [[Adele Astaire]], [[Dorothy McGuire]], [[Marlon Brando]] and [[Nick Nolte]], were born in Omaha. [[Academy Award]] winner [[Henry Fonda]] also grew up in Omaha. Marlon Brando's mother encouraged Henry Fonda to pursue acting at the [[Omaha Community Playhouse]]. Mrs. Brando had helped found the playhouse. [[Montgomery Clift]] came from Omaha as well. His family's home still stands on South 33rd Street, a few blocks from that of Gerald Ford. Omaha's rich musical heritage includes legends such as [[Wynonie Harris]], [[Preston Love]], [[Buddy Miles]], [[Calvin Keys]], [[Eugene McDaniels]] and others. The modern music scene includes the members of [[311 (band)|311]] and [[Bright Eyes]]. [[Warren Buffett]], the richest person in the world, lives in Omaha.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/05/buffett-worlds-richest-cx_mm_0229buffetrichest.html |title=Gates No Longer World's Richest Man |publisher=''[[Forbes]]'' |date=2008-03-05 |accessdate=2008-03-06}}</ref> Besides, tennis player [[Andy Roddick]], former ATP ranking leader, was also born in Omaha. == Education == {{main|Education in Omaha, Nebraska}} Education in Omaha is provided by many private and public institutions. [[Omaha Public Schools]] runs the city's largest public school district and is the largest [[school district]] in Nebraska with more than 47,750 students in more than 75 schools.<ref> [http://www.ops.org/District/LinkClick.aspx?link=RESEARCH%2fAdministrativeResearch%2fOfficial+Membership+PDF.pdf&tabid=284&mid=1343 "Official Fall 2007 Membership Data"]. Omaha Public Schools. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> After a contentious period of uncertainty, in 2007 the [[Nebraska Legislature]] approved a plan to create a [[learning community]] for Omaha-area school districts with a central administrative board.<ref>Young, J. (2007) [http://journalstar.com/articles/2007/05/31/news/politics/doc4655aea0eddbe359960838.txt Landmark schools plan approved, signed by governor]. ''Lincoln Journal Star.'' 5/24/07. Retrieved 6/7/07.</ref> [[Millard Public schools]] in west Omaha has some of the highest ACT scores in Nebraska.<ref>[http://www.mpsomaha.org/mps/index.cfm?action=210&id=109&bt=2,38&bt1=1&fid=417 "Frequently Asked Questions"], Millard Public Schools. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> The Archdiocese of Omaha maintains a strong district of private Catholic schools with 21,500 students in 32 elementary schools and 9 high schools.<ref>[http://schools.archomaha.org/factsheet.html "Catholic Schools Fact Sheet"], Archdiocese of Omaha. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> [[St. Cecilia Cathedral|St. Cecilia Grade School]] in [[Midtown Omaha]] earned national distinction with the [[U.S. Department of Education]] [[Blue Ribbon Schools Program|Blue Ribbon School]]. Creighton University is ranked the top non-doctoral regional college in the [[Midwestern United States]] by ''[[U.S. News and World Report]]''.<ref>[http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1univmas_mw_brief.php USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2008: Universities-Master's (Midwest): Top Schools.] [[US News and World Report]]. Retrieved 5/28/08.</ref> Creighton maintains a {{convert|108|acre|km2|1|sing=on}} campus just outside of [[Downtown Omaha]] in the new [[NoDo]] district, and the [[Jesuit]]-run institution has an enrollment of around 6,700 in its undergraduate, graduate, medical, and law schools. There are more than 10 other [[Colleges and universities of Omaha, Nebraska|colleges and universities in Omaha]] in the Omaha metro area. == Economy == {{main|Economy of Omaha, Nebraska}} [[Image:Brandeis Building and Woodmen Tower.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Woodmen Tower]] and the Brandeis building in downtown.]] According to ''[[USA Today]]'', Omaha ranks eighth among the nation's 50 largest cities in both per-capita billionaires and Fortune 500 companies.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2005-08-07-omaha-usat_x.htm "Omaha sprouts unlikely cash crop: Corporate titans,"] ''USA Today''. Retrieved 10/05/07.</ref> Major employers in the area include [[Alegent Health]], [[Omaha Public Schools]], [[First Data Corporation]], [[Nebraska Methodist Health System|Methodist Health System]], [[Mutual of Omaha]], [[ConAgra Foods]], [[Nebraska Health System]], [[Offutt Air Force Base]],and the [[West Corporation]].<ref>[http://www.aero.state.ne.us/Omaha-North.pdf "Economic Impact of Airports in Nebraska"], State of Nebraska. Retrieved 10/5/07.</ref> With diversification in several industries, including [[banking]], [[insurance]], [[telecommunications]], architecture/construction, and [[transportation]], Omaha's economy has grown dramatically since the early 1990s. Omaha's most prominent businessman is [[Warren Buffett]], nicknamed the "Oracle of Omaha", who is regularly ranked one of the [[List of billionaires (2007)|richest people in the world]]. Omaha has five companies listed on the [[Fortune 500|''Fortune'' 500]] list, including [[Berkshire Hathaway]], [[ConAgra Foods]], [[Union Pacific Railroad]], [[Mutual of Omaha]], and [[Kiewit Corporation]]. Omaha is home to the headquarters of several other major corporations, including [[The Gallup Organization]], [[TD Ameritrade]], [[infoUSA]] [[Werner Enterprises]] and [[First National of Nebraska|First National Bank]]. Many large technology firms have major operations or operational headquarters in Omaha, including Bank of the West,[[First Data]], [[PayPal]] and [[LinkedIn]]. The city is also home to three of the 30 largest architecture firms in the United States, including [[HDR, Inc.]], [[DLR Group, Inc.]], and [[Leo A. Daly Co.]]<ref>[http://archrecord.construction.com/practice/top150/0806top150-1.asp "Top 150 Architecture Firms"], ''Architectural Record'' June, 2008. Retrieved 06/05/08.</ref> As of October of 2007, the city of Omaha, the 42nd largest in the country, has the fifth highest percentage of low-income African Americans in the country.<ref>Kotock, C.D. (2007) [http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10148991 "Big plans in store for north Omaha"], ''Omaha World-Herald'', October 3, 2007. Retrieved 10/4/07.</ref> ===Tourism=== {{main|Tourism in Omaha}} [[Image:Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A handbill for [[Buffalo Bill]]'s [[Wild West Show#Buffalo Bill's Wild West|Wild West]] and Congress of Rough Riders of the World.]] Omaha offers visitors history, sports, outdoors and cultural experiences. Its principal tourist attractions are the [[Henry Doorly Zoo]] and the [[College World Series]].<ref name="Nebraska1"/> The city has been a tourist destination for many years. Famous early visitors included as [[Rudyard Kipling]] and General [[George Crook]], and in 1883 Omaha hosted the first official performance of the [[Buffalo Bill]]'s [[Wild West Show]] for eight thousand attendees.<ref>[http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/markers/texts/buffalo_bill.htm "Buffalo Bill at the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition and Indian Congress of 1898"], [[Nebraska State Historical Society]]. Retrieved 4/19/08.</ref> In 1898 the city hosted more than 1,000,000 visitors from across the United States at the [[Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition]], a [[world's fair]] that lasted for more than half the year.<ref>Beam, P.K. (1994) "The Last Victorian Fair: The Trans-Mississippi International Exposition." ''Journal of the West. 33'':1. pp 10-23.</ref> Research on [[leisure]] and [[hospitality]] situates Omaha in the same tier for tourists as the neighboring cities of [[Topeka, Kansas]], [[Kansas City, Missouri]], [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]], and [[Denver, Colorado]].<ref>Goss and Associates. (2007) ''[http://www2.creighton.edu/business/economicoutlook/researchandnews/fileadmin/user/COBA/EconomicOutlook/ResearchandNews/working_chapters_06.11.07.c.pdf The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Performing Arts on the City of Omaha]''. Hollard Foundation. p. 14. Retrieved 5/2/08.</ref> A recent study found that $1 million in cultural tourism specifically creates approximately $83,000 in state and local taxes as well as supporting 32 jobs for the metropolitan area, which in turn leads to additional tax revenue for government.<ref>Goss and Associates. (2007) p. 11.</ref> == Geography == {{main|Geography of Omaha}} Omaha is located at {{coor dms|41|15|38|N|96|0|47|W}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 118.9&nbsp;square miles (307.9&nbsp;km²). 115.7&nbsp;square miles (299.7&nbsp;km²) of it is land and 3.2&nbsp;square miles (8.2&nbsp;km²) of it is water. The total area is 2.67% water. ===Climate=== Though located at approximately the same latitude as [[Rome]], Omaha, by virtue of its location near the center of the [[North America]] far from large bodies of water or mountain ranges, has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Koppen climate classification]] ''Dfa''), with hot summers and cold winters. Average July maximum and minimum temperatures are 88 °F (31 °C) and 66 °F (19 °C) respectively, with moderate humidity and relatively frequent thunderstorms; the January counterparts are 31 °F (-1 °C) and 11 °F (-12 °C). The maximum temperature recorded in the city is 114 °F (46 °C), the minimum -32 °F (-36 °C). Average yearly precipitation is 30 in (76 cm), falling mostly in the warmer months. What precipitation does fall in winter usually takes the form of snow, with average yearly snowfall being around 30 in (76 cm). <!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather |metric_first= <!--Entering Yes will display metric first. Leave blank for imperial--> |single_line= yes |location = Omaha |Jan_Hi_°F = 31.3 |Jan_REC_Hi_°F = 69 <!--REC temps are optional; use sparely--> |Feb_Hi_°F = 37.1 |Feb_REC_Hi_°F = 78 |Mar_Hi_°F = 49.4 |Mar_REC_Hi_°F = 91 |Apr_Hi_°F = 63.8 |Apr_REC_Hi_°F = 96 |May_Hi_°F = 74.0 |May_REC_Hi_°F = 103 |Jun_Hi_°F = 83.7 |Jun_REC_Hi_°F = 107 |Jul_Hi_°F = 87.9 |Jul_REC_Hi_°F = 114 |Aug_Hi_°F = 85.2 |Aug_REC_Hi_°F = 111 |Sep_Hi_°F = 76.5 |Sep_REC_Hi_°F = 104 |Oct_Hi_°F = 65.6 |Oct_REC_Hi_°F = 96 |Nov_Hi_°F = 49.3 |Nov_REC_Hi_°F = 83 |Dec_Hi_°F = 34.6 |Dec_REC_Hi_°F = 72 |Year_Hi_°F = 63.2 |Year_REC_Hi_°F = 114 |Jan_Lo_°F = 10.9 |Jan_REC_Lo_°F = -32 |Feb_Lo_°F = 16.7 |Feb_REC_Lo_°F = -26 |Mar_Lo_°F = 27.7 |Mar_REC_Lo_°F = -16 |Apr_Lo_°F = 39.9 |Apr_REC_Lo_°F = 5 |May_Lo_°F = 50.9 |May_REC_Lo_°F = 25 |Jun_Lo_°F = 60.4 |Jun_REC_Lo_°F = 39 |Jul_Lo_°F = 65.9 |Jul_REC_Lo_°F = 44 |Aug_Lo_°F = 62.9 |Aug_REC_Lo_°F = 43 |Sep_Lo_°F = 53.6 |Sep_REC_Lo_°F = 28 |Oct_Lo_°F = 41.2 |Oct_REC_Lo_°F = 8 |Nov_Lo_°F = 28.7 |Nov_REC_Lo_°F = -14 |Dec_Lo_°F = 15.6 |Dec_REC_Lo_°F = -25 |Year_Lo_°F = 39.5 |Year_REC_Lo_°F = -32 |Jan_Precip_inch = 0.74 |Feb_Precip_inch = 0.77 |Mar_Precip_inch = 2.04 |Apr_Precip_inch = 2.66 |May_Precip_inch = 4.52 |Jun_Precip_inch = 3.87 |Jul_Precip_inch = 3.51 |Aug_Precip_inch = 3.24 |Sep_Precip_inch = 3.72 |Oct_Precip_inch = 2.28 |Nov_Precip_inch = 1.49 |Dec_Precip_inch = 1.02 |Year_Precip_inch = 29.86 |source = <ref name= >{{cite web | url = http://www.nebraskaclimateoffice.unl.edu/normals.htm | title = Normals, Means, and Extremes for Nebraska | accessdate = 2008-01-07 | publisher = Nebraska Climate Office}}</ref> | accessdate=[[2008-01-07]] |source2 = <ref name= >{{cite web | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/oax/?n=records-normals | title = Omaha Climate Records | accessdate = 2008-01-07 | publisher = [[National Weather Service]]}}</ref> | accessdate2=[[2008-01-07]] }} ==Infrastructure== Omaha's growth has required the constant development of new urban infrastructures that influence, allow and encourage the constant expansion of the city. ===Government=== {{main|Government of Omaha}} Omaha has a [[strong mayor]] form of [[government]], along with a [[Omaha City Council|city council]] that is elected from seven districts across the city. The current [[List of mayors of Omaha|mayor]] is [[Michael Fahey]], who was elected in 2001 and reelected in 2005. The elected [[city clerk]] is [[Buster Brown (politician)|Buster Brown]]. The City of Omaha administers twelve departments, including finance, [[Omaha Police Department|police]], human rights, [[Omaha Public Library|libraries]] and planning.<ref>[http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/departments/ "Departments"], City of Omaha. Retrieved 9/18/07.</ref> ===Recreation=== [[Image:Missouri river in Omaha, Nebraska.jpg|thumb|150px|Docks at Dodge Park.]] {{main|Parks in Omaha}} The City of Omaha administers a [[parks]] and recreation department that oversees six regional parks, including [[Dodge Park]] and [[Gene Leahy Mall]], and 13 community parks, including [[Miller Park]] and [[Hanscom Park]].<ref>[http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/parks/ Omaha Parks and Recreation]. City of Omaha. retrieved 8/22/07.</ref> Part of Omaha's riverfront area is now the [[Heartland of America Park]], including a marina, [[Miller's Landing]], and the soon-to-open [[Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge]], a 3,000 foot-long [[footbridge]] crossing into Council Bluffs.<ref>[http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/10164746/detail.html Ground Broken On Pedestrian Bridge]. [[KETV]] 7, Omaha. [[October 26]], [[2006]]. Last accessed [[November 17]], [[2006]].</ref> The city's historic [[Boulevards in Omaha|boulevards]] were originally designed by [[Horace Cleveland]] in 1889 to work with the parks to create a seamless flow of trees, grass and flowers throughout the city. [[Florence Boulevard]] and [[Fontenelle Boulevard]] are among the remnants of this system.<ref>[http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/parks/Suburban%20Master%20Plan/2006%20Suburban%20Park%20Boulevards%20Design%20Standards.pdf "Omaha's Suburban Park Plan"]. City of Omaha. p 63. Retrieved 9/15/07.</ref> Omaha boasts more than {{convert|80|mi|km|0}} of [[Trails in Omaha|trails]] for [[pedestrian]]s, [[bicyclist]]s and [[hiker]]s.<ref>[http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/parks/ Parks and Recreation.] City of Omaha. Retrieved 9/20/07.</ref> They include the [[American Discovery Trail]], which traverses the entire [[United States]], as well as the [[Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail]], which runs westward from Omaha across {{convert|3700|mi|km|-1}} in 11 [[Western United States|western]] states. Trails throughout the area are included in comprehensive plans for the [[city of Omaha]], the [[Omaha metro area]], [[Douglas County, Nebraska|Douglas County]], and long-distance coordinated plans between the municipalities of southeast [[Nebraska]].<ref>[http://www.omahatrails.com/ "Omaha Trails"]. Retrieved 9/18/07.</ref> ===Utilities=== The [[natural gas utility|gas]] and [[water company|water]] [[public utility|public utilities]] in Omaha are provided by the [[Metropolitan Utilities District]]. Nebraska is the only public power state in the nation. All electric utilities are non-profit and customer-owned. [[Electric company|Electricity]] in the city is provided by the [[Omaha Public Power District]].<ref>Ridley and Associates (1997) [http://www.neo.ne.gov/phase1/chapterone.htm "Chapter One,"] Nebraska's Electric Utility Industry: Final Report. Nebraska Legislature L.R. 455 Phase I Study. Retrieved 8/17/07.</ref> [[Public housing]] is governed by the [[Omaha Housing Authority]], and [[public transportation]] is provided by [[Metro Area Transit]]. [[Qwest]] and [[Cox Communications|Cox]] provide local telephone services. The City of Omaha maintains two modern [[sewage treatment plant]]s.<ref name="Nebraska2">[http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:Lwr8AIZ1kCIJ:scedc.org/advantage/advantage_utilities.html+public+utility+companies+in+omaha&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=15&gl=us&client=firefox-a "The Greater Omaha Advantage: Utilities"] SCEDC. Retrieved 8/17/07.</ref> Portions of the [[Enron]] corporation began as [[Northern Natural Gas Company]] in Omaha. Northern provides three natural gas lines to Omaha currently. [[Peoples Natural Gas]], a division of [[UtiliCorp United]], serves several surrounding communities in the [[Omaha metro]].<ref name="Nebraska2"/> [[Cox Communications]] provides [[cable television]] services. ===Tallest buildings=== Omaha's tallest building is the 45-story [[First National Bank Tower]]. As of December 2007, Construction has begun on the [[WallStreet Tower Omaha]] in place of the old union pacific building. It will be the third tallest upon completion at {{convert|373|ft|m}}.<ref>[http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-article-a-6218 m-61-sc-81-wallstreet_tower_developer_expands_to_omaha-i] Yahoo.com</ref> [[Image:Union pacific center.jpg|thumb|100px|right|The new [[Union Pacific Center]] in downtown]] [[Image:FNB-Bldg day.png|thumb|100px|right|Downtown Omaha's [[First National Bank Tower]].]] {| class="wikitable" |+ '''Tallest buildings''' |- ! Name ! Stories ! Height |- | [[One First National Center]] || 45 || 634 ft (193 m) |- | [[Woodmen Tower]] || 30 || 478 ft (146 m) |- | [[Masonic Manor]] || 22 || 320 ft (98 m) |- | [[Union Pacific Center]] || 19 || 317 ft (97 m) |- | [[First National Center (Omaha)|First National Center]] || 22 || 295 ft (90 m) |- | [[Mutual of Omaha Building]] || 14 || 285 ft (87 m) |- | [[AT&T Building (Omaha)|AT&T Building]] || 16 || 265 ft (81 m) |- | [[Northern Natural Gas Building]] || 19 || 260 ft (79 m) |- | [[1200 Landmark Center]] || 15 || 255 ft (78 m) |- | [[Omaha World Herald|Omaha World Herald Building]] || 16 || 250 ft (76 m) |} === Health and medicine === Omaha is the smallest city in the United States to have three major research hospitals.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} They include the [[Boys Town National Research Hospital]], the [[University of Nebraska Medical Center]] and the [[Creighton University Medical Center]]. The Boys Town facility is well-known for world-class researchers in hearing-related research and high quality treatment. The University of Nebraska Medical Center hosts the [[Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases]], a world-renowned [[cancer treatment]] facility named in honor of Omahan [[Eugene Eppley]].<ref>[http://www.unmc.edu/Eppley/history.htm "About the Institute"], University of Nebraska Medical Center. Retrieved 2/3/08.</ref><ref>[http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_072605/page9 "Cancer Center Profile: UNMC Eppley Cancer Center."] National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 2/3/08.</ref> {{see|Hospitals in Omaha, Nebraska}} ===Transportation=== {{main|Transportation in Omaha}} {{see|Railroads in Omaha}} {{see|Trails in Omaha}} Omaha's central role in the history of transportation across America earned it the nickname "Gate City of the West". Although [[Council Bluffs]] was chosen as the starting point for the [[Union Pacific Railroad]], construction began from Omaha on the eastern portion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. By the middle of the 20th century, Omaha was served by almost every major railroad. Today, the [[Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District]] celebrates this connection, along with the listing of the [[Burlington Train Station]] and the [[Union Station (Omaha)|Union Station]] on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. Omaha has been the location of Union Pacific Railroad's corporate headquarters since the company began. Located downtown, [[Union Pacific Center]] is the largest building by square feet in the state of Nebraska, and the 4th tallest in Omaha. [[Omaha (Amtrak station)|Amtrak]], the national passenger rail system, provides service through Omaha. [[Image:Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge 1938 LOC 11763u.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge]] toll booth in 1938.]] Omaha's position as a transportation center was finalized with the 1872 opening of the [[Union Pacific Missouri River Bridge]] linking the transcontinental railroad to the railroads terminating in [[Council Bluffs]]. In 1888 the first road bridge the [[Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge]] opened. In the 1890s, the [[Illinois Central]] drawbridge opened as the largest bridge of its type in the world at that time. Omaha's Missouri River road bridges are now entering their second generation, including the WPA financed [[South Omaha Bridge]] (now Veteran's Memorial) which was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] and is currently scheduled to be demolished. In 2006 Omaha and Council Bluffs announced plans to build the [[Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge]] which should become a city landmark on its scheduled opening in November 2008. The primary mode of transportation in Omaha is by car, with [[Interstate 80 in Nebraska|I-80]], [[Interstate 480 (Iowa-Nebraska)|I-480]], [[Interstate 680 (Iowa-Nebraska)|I-680]], [[Interstate 29|I-29]], and [[U.S. Route 75]] (JFK Freeway and North Freeway) providing [[freeway]] service across the metropolitan area. The expressway along West Dodge Road ([[U.S. Route 6]] and [[Nebraska Link 28B]]) and [[U.S. Route 275]] has been upgraded to freeway standards from I-680 to [[Fremont, Nebraska|Fremont]]. [[Metro Area Transit]] runs a number of [[bus]] routes throughout the city. Omaha is laid out on a [[grid plan]], with 12 blocks to the mile (east - west). Omaha is the location of a [[Boulevards in Omaha|historic boulevard system]] that sought to combine the beauty of parks with the pleasure of driving cars.<ref>Larsen, L. and Cottrell, B. (1997) ''The Gate City: A History of Omaha.'' University of Nebraska Press. p 131.</ref> This system includes everything from the historic Florence and Fontenelle Boulevards to the modern Sorenson Expressway.<ref>Larsen, L. and Cottrell, B. (1997) p 131.</ref> [[Image:Omaha-eppley.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Omaha's [[Eppley Airfield]], located in [[East Omaha]].]] [[Eppley Airfield]], Omaha's airport, serves the region with over 4.2 million passengers enplaning or deplaning in 2006. United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, US Airways, Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, Midwest Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines, and Mesa Airlines serve the airport with direct and connecting service. [[General aviation]] airports serving the area are the [[Millard Municipal Airport]], [[North Omaha Airport]] and the [[Council Bluffs Airport]]. [[Offutt Air Force Base]] is a military base. Eppley is situated in [[East Omaha]], with many users driving through [[Carter Lake, Iowa]] and getting a view of [[Carter Lake (lake)|Carter Lake]] before getting there. ==Sister cities== Omaha has six [[town twinning|sister cities]], which are: * {{flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Shizuoka, Shizuoka|Shizuoka]]''', [[Japan]] * {{flagicon|Germany}} '''[[Braunschweig]]''', [[Germany]] * {{flagicon|Lithuania}} '''[[Šiauliai]]''', [[Lithuania]] * {{flagicon|Ireland}} '''[[Naas]]''', [[Ireland]] * {{flagicon|Mexico}} '''[[Xalapa]]''', [[Mexico]] * {{flagicon|Ukraine}} '''[[Artemivsk]]''', [[Ukraine]] ==Image gallery== <gallery> Image:OmahaNE_Downtown.jpg|Downtown Omaha Image:PB230855.JPG|Holiday lights in Omaha Image:PB140845.JPG|Omaha from the ConAgra campus Image:P3181016.JPG|Downtown Omaha from the Riverfront Image:PC050921.JPG|View from Qwest Center Omaha parking lots Image:PC040867.JPG|View from Abbott Drive Image:P3160011.JPG|View of 24th & Lake Streets in [[North Omaha]] Image:P3160007.JPG|The Webster Telephone Exchange Building, home of the [[Great Plains Black History Museum]] Image:Omaha_skyline_humid_day.png|Omaha's skyline as seen from the northeast in Iowa Image:OmahaskylineIMG 1259.JPG|[[Downtown Omaha]]'s skyline during rainy night </gallery> ==References== {{reflist|2}} ===Additional references=== * Lawrence H. Larsen and Barbara J. Cottrell. [http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/bookinfo/3263.html ''The Gate City: A History of Omaha''] (1997) * Lawrence H. Larsen, Harl A. Dalstrom, Kay Calame Dalstrom, and Barbara J. Cottrell. [http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/bookinfo/5142.html ''Upstream Metropolis: An Urban Biography of Omaha and Council Bluffs''](2007) == External links == {{sisterlinks|Omaha, Nebraska}} * {{wikitravelpar|Omaha}} * [http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/ City of Omaha Official Website] * [http://www.omahawiki.org OmahaWiki.org] Omaha's free on-line encyclopedia that anyone can edit * [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US3137000&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US31%7C16000US3137000&_street=&_county=Omaha&_cityTown=Omaha&_state=04000US31&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null%AE=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Omaha, Nebraska profile] - U.S. Census Bureau. *[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/3137000.html Census statistics] - U.S. Census Bureau. * [http://www.eomahaforums.com/ Omaha Discussion Board] *{{Geolinks-US-cityscale|41.260482|-96.01299}} {{Omaha}} {{Community areas of Omaha}} {{Omaha Landmark templates}} {{Ethnicity in Omaha}} {{Omaha-Council Bluffs metro}} {{Douglas County, Nebraska}} {{Nebraska}} {{USLargestCities}} [[Category:Settlements established in 1854]] [[Category:Cities in Nebraska]] [[Category:Douglas County, Nebraska]] [[Category:Omaha, Nebraska| ]] [[Category:United States colonial and territorial capitals]] [[Category:County seats in Nebraska]] [[ar:أوماها، نبراسكا]] [[ast:Omaha]] [[bs:Omaha]] [[bg:Омаха]] [[cs:Omaha]] [[cy:Omaha, Nebraska]] [[da:Omaha]] [[de:Omaha]] [[et:Omaha]] [[es:Omaha]] [[eo:Omaha (Nebrasko)]] [[fa:اوماها]] [[fr:Omaha (Nebraska)]] [[ko:오마하]] [[io:Omaha, Nebraska]] [[id:Omaha, Nebraska]] [[ia:Omaha, Nebraska]] [[it:Omaha (Nebraska)]] [[he:אומהה]] [[pam:Omaha, Nebraska]] [[ka:ომაჰა]] [[la:Omaha]] [[lt:Omaha]] [[nl:Omaha (Nebraska)]] [[ja:オマハ]] [[no:Omaha]] [[nn:Omaha]] [[oc:Omaha]] [[pl:Omaha (Nebraska)]] [[pt:Omaha]] [[ro:Omaha, Nebraska]] [[ru:Омаха (Небраска)]] [[simple:Omaha, Nebraska]] [[sk:Omaha]] [[sr:Омаха]] [[sh:Omaha (Nebraska)]] [[fi:Omaha]] [[sv:Omaha, Nebraska]] [[tr:Omaha, Nebraska]] [[vec:Omaha (Nebraska)]] [[vo:Omaha]] [[zh:奥马哈 (内布拉斯加州)]]