Fading Places | Hidden Treasures

Join Landmarks in supporting the work of Heritage Nebraska. Read this Summary to learn how you can help Nebraska celebrate history. Then complete a Fading Place Nomination or a Hidden Treasures Nomination.

Our Endangered Buildings

Landmarks, Inc. reviews the status of various properties throughout Omaha on an regular basis to determine their need for preservation.

Lend Us a Hand

We ask that you assist us in our search for endangered buildings by filling out this form.  We are happy to receive submissions all year long, and make assessments at regular intervals.

Current List of Endangered Buildings

 

Omaha Black History Museum and Webster Telephone Exchange Building

Current Address: 2213 Lake Street
Date of Construction:
Original Architect: Thomas Kimball
Threat:Safety engineers have said the old telephone building, one of the area’s oldest landmarks, is in danger of collapsing. The Omaha Black History Museum, founded in 1975, has been closed for eight years and the artifacts are collecting dust in a storage shed, according to the transcript of a televised report submitted by Heritage Nebraska Board member and Preservation Advisory Committee member Allan Tubach. Museum founder Bertha Calloway compiled what was once called the largest black history collection west of the Mississippi River.  Landmarks, Inc. says the biggest threat is a lack of funding to maintain and upgrade the building which was designed by prominent architect Thomas Kimball.    
Support: A stabilization plan has been identified for Phase 1 and an adaptive re-use plan for the facility is complete.  There is renewed interest by local and state preservationists to save this significant building. The building is located near the 24th and Lake street redevelopment area which has become one of North Omaha's most vibrant and growing urban centers. The building is still owned by the Black History non-profit organization.

  

Prospect Hill Cemetary and Caretaker Residence

Current Address: 32nd and Parker Street
Date of Construction: 1858-1918 Original Architect (caretaker residence): Fredrick A. Henninger
Threat: Some of the most prominent people in the development of Omaha are buried among the 15,000 graves dating back to 1858. The caretaker's residence was built in 1918 at this north Omaha property at 32nd and Parker streets. The plot itself was developed by Byron Reed, an early Omaha real estate developer. "Not only is this place of significant age, it is a collection of amazing stories of individuals that built our historic city," says Omaha Landmarks Inc. President Paul Nelson. "It is an extremely beautiful place that is set apart from its surroundings. Without long term awareness and financial support, Prospect Hill will certainly and slowly be erased from Nebraska Heritage.

Support: The building and gounds are managed by a Board of Directors that envision the Cemetary becoming a new Genealogical Center for Omaha. Solidiers are burried at Propect Hill which suggests potential federal funding could be available to maintain the site.

St. Cecilia's Convent (Now Demolished)

Current Address: 3843 Webster Street
Date of Construction: 1927
Original Architect: Leo A. Daly
Threat: The Archdioceses razed the building in 2008 because of high re-investment and maintenance costs needed to rehab the building.
Support: A new building is planned for the site. A committee was formed to develop options for its reuse and was presented to the Church. An assisted living care center, affordable housing, or a variety of mixed uses are compatible to this building and its neighborhood. Due to water damage, another recommendation was made to invest in a new roof in lieu of demolition costs. That way the building could be stabilized until a new use was formed. Other options including tearing down the newer addition on the back, and preserving the original structure or Façade fronting along Webster Street.

4524 Farnam Street

Current Address: 4524 Farnam Street
Current Owner: St Ellen 15 LLC
Alternate Addresses: 4486 Farnam Street
Date of Construction: 1900 per assessor's page
Statement of Significance: NRN Criteria C - Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. According to the Sanborn maps, in 1918 this property served as the construction yard for John Harte, a prominent local contractor. It is also a beautiful example of Sullivanesque commercial architecture.
Threat: As the plans for Saddle Creek Road's relocation develop, this building waivers between demolition and salvation. Traffic studies are in process for the street's relocation and how it may connect to Dodge Street.
Support: The current Owner is not objectionable to the relocation of Saddle Creek Road , provided the property is not negatively effect by it. There is a public meeting to be held on March 19th, 2006 facilitated by Destination Midtown. Go to www.destinationmidtown.org for details. If you are interested in saving this property, please contact Landmarks. 

The Hupmobile Building 

Current Address: 2523 Farnam Street
Current Owner: Frank Horedshi
Date of Construction: 1910 - 1917
Original Owner: Hupmobile
Statement of Significance: NRN Criteria A - Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
Hupmobile Car information: Visit the Hupmobile Club Site
This area of town contained many car dealerships, show rooms, and repair garages in the 1920s. This pattern of the rise and fall of a small auto manufacturer is not uncommon. During WWII artillery shells and plane parts (some for the Enola Gay bomber) were made there. A plane was placed on top of the building during that period. Much of the original equipment is still in place and operational. This is last preserved Hupmobile dealership that exists in the country.
Threat: The building is without a current use. Efforts to sell and reuse the building as a part of Metropolitan Community Colleges Culinary Arts program did not realize. A new tenant(s) or buyer is being sought after.
Support: The current Owner is supportive of the building's rehabilitation. If you are interested in saving this historic property, please contact Landmarks.