"Omaha," according to Indian legend, literally means "above all others upon a stream." And, indeed, that stream, the Missouri River, played an important part in the development of the city. The City of Omaha was originally laid out in 1854 by a ferry company operating between Iowa and the new Nebraska territory. To inform people about Omaha, a newspaper, the Omaha Arrow was first issued on July 28, 1854. In the beginning, lots were given away to those who would make improvements on them. By June 1855, the population had grown to 250 while lots were being sold for $100; two years later the population was approximately 1,500 and lots were selling for $4,000.

From those early days, when the first structures were log buildings, Omaha grew to be a thriving commercial and cultural center. The Mormons, on their westward trek, set up winter quarters, constructing nearly 1,000 houses in Florence, a site north of town. A cemetery and memorial today bear witness to the brutal winter of 1855-56 and the losses in the Mormon camp.


The city of Omaha grew rapidly after President Lincoln located the eastern terminus of the first transcontinental railroad (Union Pacific Railroad) in Omaha, breaking ground in December 1863. Today, Omaha is headquarters to Union Pacific Railroad and is served by three Class I railroads. Transportation by river, rail and air has played an important role in Omaha's growth. Eppley Airfield, one of the nation's fastest growing airports, provides the state-of-the-art facilities to commercial and general aviation.

Likewise, communication has been important to the development of Omaha. The Western Union Telegraph Co., under the guidance of Edward Creighton (for whom Omaha's Creighton University was named), strung the first telegraph wires west from Omaha, while another company worked eastward from California to eventually link the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts for the first time in 1861. Quality telephone service and Omaha's central location has spurred the growth of the telecommunications and telemarketing industry in recent years. Over two dozen telecommunications centers currently employ approximately 20,000+ Omahans. With this in mind, Omaha is considered to be the "800-number capital of the nation."

Agriculture, too, is an integral part of Omaha's heritage. Since the first meat packing plant opened in 1871 and the Union Stock Yards began operations, Omaha grew to dominate the industry, becoming the largest livestock market in 1955. The livestock market has since declined, but the production of various food products is still an essential aspect of the Omaha economy.

Food processing is an important industry with major employers like Kellogg Co., daily turning the yield of 100 acres of corn into corn flakes, and Vlasic Co., which produces frozen Swanson and LeMenu products. Yet, Omaha's economy is diversified to include both manufacturing and service industries. One of the nation's largest health and accident company, Mutual of Omaha, as well as United of Omaha, Guarantee Mutual, Woodmen of the World and Physicians Mutual are among the over twenty insurance companies with home offices in the city.

Omaha's role in military history dates back to 1868 when Omaha Barracks was established for protection of settlers and railroad workers. Congress designated the barracks as Fort Omaha in 1878. Fort Crook, located south of town in 1888, came into importance during World War II when the Martin Aircraft Corp. established a plant to produce B-26 and B-29 bombers. The B-29 bombers produced at Fort Crook included "Enola Gay," which dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945 and "Bock's Car," which dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945. Today, the Fort Crook facilities are part of Offutt Air Force Base, the home of the U. S. Strategic Command.

Omahans' have a strong commitment to others. A "City of Little Men," Boys Town, was founded in 1917 by Father Edward Flanagan. A city within a city, providing care for youths in crisis, Father Flanagan's Boys Town is located in west Omaha. Boys Town opened its doors to young women in 1979, and currently houses and educates over 500 boys and girls annually on the home campus in Omaha, as well as serving thousands of youth annually across the nation.

There is a strong tradition of community leadership and working together in Omaha. Omaha has emerged through the years from a frontier town on the prairie, to a thriving metropolitan city. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan with a professional symphony, opera, ballet, a variety of quality restaurants, museums, one of the country's most progressive zoos - The Henry Doorly Zoo, a regional medical and research center, and eleven colleges and universities.

All the advantages of a large city, yet much of the small town flavor remains. Omahans enjoy their ethnic heritage at a variety of festivals, and everyone celebrates western style during the River City Round-up, ranked one of the 100 top attractions in the country. Plus, Omahans are friendly, hardworking and wholesome in true "midwestern" tradition. Those who live in Omaha agree, it is truly a city "above all others."

Rosenblatt Stadium -home to the College World Series since 1949