1. Omaha’s beginnings Housing and the Wild Cat banks

2. Omaha’s first Hotel The Herndon House The Herndon House Located just east of where the Old Market slides are today Located just east of where the Old Market slides are today 4 story hotel 4 story hotel The hotel had no running water The hotel had no running water Chamber pots were used as bathrooms Chamber pots were used as bathrooms Poured out the windows on to the street Poured out the windows on to the street 9 th & Farnam streets

3. Hygiene in the rural city Bathing & washing on the plaines Bathing & washing on the plaines Most homes had outhouses where families did their business Most homes had outhouses where families did their business Houses had no running water Houses had no running water There was a bathing rule There was a bathing rule Father, Mother, then the children in birth order (infants go first) Father, Mother, then the children in birth order (infants go first) It was the children’s job to fetch water from the river or water source It was the children’s job to fetch water from the river or water source The rich would bathe once a week The rich would bathe once a week The poor would bathe once a month The poor would bathe once a month

4. Wealthy vs. Poor and the City Wealthy lived on the high ground – South of the Zoo (later Gold Coast area) Wealthy lived on the high ground – South of the Zoo (later Gold Coast area) Why is this? Why is this? Poor lived down in the River areas (lower areas. Poor lived down in the River areas (lower areas. Why is this? Why is this?

5. Churches & Vices Churches Saint Philomena’s Catholic Church (biggest) Saint Philomena’s Catholic Church (biggest) Saint Mary’s Catholic church Saint Mary’s Catholic churchVices Alcohol – Omaha had the most bars in the nation Alcohol – Omaha had the most bars in the nation Omaha was the 3 rd largest brewer of beer in U.S. Omaha was the 3 rd largest brewer of beer in U.S. Gambling – Very corrupt, prostitution was rampant (it was this way until the 1930’s) Gambling – Very corrupt, prostitution was rampant (it was this way until the 1930’s) St. Mary’s

6. City Limits & Streets Streets were mud & dust Streets were mud & dust Animal waste everywhere (created a health hazard when poop dried up) Animal waste everywhere (created a health hazard when poop dried up) The Boundaries of the city The Boundaries of the city Western Limit – Capitol Hill (Central H.S.) Western Limit – Capitol Hill (Central H.S.) Southern Limit – Pacific Street Southern Limit – Pacific Street Northern Limit – Cuming Street (Creighton University) Northern Limit – Cuming Street (Creighton University)

7. Wild Cat Banks Money becomes worthless Money becomes worthless Everything was financed w/ credit Everything was financed w/ credit Each city printed their own money this fueled local economies Each city printed their own money this fueled local economies Each town needed $ to expand and grow Each town needed $ to expand and grow A nationwide “panic” hits the country in 1857 & Omaha get smashed – many leave to go back east A nationwide “panic” hits the country in 1857 & Omaha get smashed – many leave to go back east

8. Omaha is Saved! In 1858, gold is found in Colorado! In 1858, gold is found in Colorado! Omaha is the last stop for settlers on their way to Colorado Omaha is the last stop for settlers on their way to Colorado Outfitters sell equipment to prospectors = $500 per person Outfitters sell equipment to prospectors = $500 per person Omaha is economically brought back to life Omaha is economically brought back to life Goods & equipment are brought to Omaha to sell Goods & equipment are brought to Omaha to sell Businesses & building grow Businesses & building grow Building construction goes from “wood” to “brick” Building construction goes from “wood” to “brick”

9. The Next best thing Comes! The Union Pacific Railroad is on its way!