This article is about a neighborhood in Omaha. For the former city in Nebraska, see Florence, Nebraska.
Neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Florence is a present-day neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska, United States on the city's north end and was one of the oldest cities in Nebraska before being annexed by Omaha. Given the high concentration of National Register of Historic Places in the neighborhood, it is acknowledged that "The historic Florence neighborhood was a city before Nebraska was officially a state,"[1] and is regarded as "the historic front door to Omaha as well as the state."[2]
History
Starting in 1917, the neighborhood of Florence has roots pre-dating the establishment of the State of Nebraska. It was originally established in 1846 as Winter Quarters,[3] which was largely abandoned by 1848. However, in 1854 the site was revitalized as an independent town, and in 1857 the Nebraska Territory Legislature officially incorporated it as an independent city named for the founder's adopted daughter, Florence Kilbourn.[4]
In 1917, the City of Florence was annexed by the City of Omaha,[5] and since then has been identified as a neighborhood in Omaha.
Modern developments
In 2024, the Florence neighborhood's main thoroughfare, N. 30th St., is undergoing road and mobility enhancements as part of a broader push to improve traffic flow and safety throughout the city. Florence is included in Omaha's traffic management projects, which aim to modernize signals and improve transportation routes in the region.[6] Recently installed along N. 30th St., the Florence neighborhood is now home to six street-side bioretention gardens in a two-block area. "The City of Omaha Stormwater program will be maintaining the bioretention gardens and evaluating their performance periodically to make sure it is working as intended..."[7]
One recent neighborhood introduction brochure said Florence is "[j]ust a quick 10-minute drive away from downtown Omaha, this thriving neighborhood is filled with well-preserved buildings and homes dating back to the 1800s. Plus, there are plenty of down-home restaurants and family-friendly attractions like Alpine Inn, Mormon Trail Center, General Crook House Museum and the Bank of Florence Museum."[8]
Preserving Florence history
There have been several developments over the last century intended to celebrate the history of the Florence neighborhood. Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple was constructed in 2001 to commemorate the Mormon pioneers of 1846. The opening ceremonies and open house for the large temple drew thousands of visitors. The Mormon Trail Center in Florence is a museum interpreting the Mormon Trail and early Mormon-era history of the area, and the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery is a neighboring historical site today. Also of interest are the Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge, built in 1952 that carries Interstate 680 over the Missouri River. The Mormon Bridge Tollhouse, at 3010 Willit Street, was related to the operations of the toll bridge. The Cutler's Park monument on the northwest corner of Young Street and Mormon Bridge Road was installed in 2017 and includes educational information, and details information about the nearby Cutler's Park Cemetery.
The Florence Futures Foundation is responsible for fostering many of the historic preservation efforts in the area by working to enhance neighborhood identity and reverse economic decline by attracting heritage tourism.[9]
This landmark was severely damaged in a fire that broke out due to faulty electrical wiring on May 15, 1984. It was rebuilt in the Urbana Gothic style, a transition from the early Fremol style of most other landmark Florence buildings.[11]
Also known as the Weber Mill, Mormon Mill, Grist Mill, and Old Pink Mill, this site is on the National Register of Historic Places and has two historic markers.
Also known as Florence Elementary School. It was recently remodeled, and now has a part of the school specifically for boy and girls club. It attends to students from grades kindergarten to fifth grade.
