Omaha, Nebraska

Rivers & Roads in Song near Omaha

Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Omaha.

56 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

• Omaha, NE · Local history

  Omaha is a city built on connections, both physical and economic. Interstate 80 slices through the city, a concrete river carrying goods and people between the coasts, but it's the flow of capital that truly defines…

• Omaha, NE · Local history

  Omaha's story is etched into the rolling Western Corn Belt Plains, where the Missouri River shapes the land. More than fertile soil distinguishes it, though. The arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad transformed a small…

• Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center · 0.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Driving past The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center? You're cruising by a spot that's been dazzling Omaha for almost a century! Originally called The Riviera, this theater opened its doors in 1926. Imagine the Roaring…

• Flatiron Hotel · 0.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Check out that unusual building! It's the Flatiron Hotel, and it's got a story to tell. Originally designed by architect George Prinz, it was built in 1912 as an office building. But just two years later, in 1914, it…

• Douglas County Courthouse (Nebraska) · 0.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This imposing courthouse isn't just a place for legal proceedings; it's a silent witness to some of Omaha's most turbulent moments. Built in 1912, the Douglas County Courthouse has stood as a symbol of justice, even…

• Standing Bear: The Trial That Made Native Americans 'Persons' · 0.2 mi · Historical

  In 1879, Ponca Chief Standing Bear sued for habeas corpus in an Omaha courtroom, and a federal judge ruled for the first time that Native Americans were 'persons' under the law.

• Orpheum Theatre (Omaha) · 0.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over here for a second; you’re about to see a place where Omaha comes alive! For over a century, the Orpheum Theater has been the city's premier destination for Broadway-caliber entertainment. Originally opened in…

• Standing Bear Trial Site · 0.4 mi · Historic Site

  In 1879, Ponca chief Standing Bear won a landmark federal ruling in Omaha establishing that Native Americans are 'persons within the meaning of the law' with the right to habeas corpus.

• Union Pacific: Where the Transcontinental Railroad Began · 0.4 mi · Historical

  President Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act in 1862, chartering the Union Pacific to build westward from Omaha — Mile Zero of the transcontinental railroad that reduced coast-to-coast travel from six months to…

• Old Market (Omaha, Nebraska) · 0.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine a place where the Wild West met the railroad, a place that fueled the growth of a nation. That's the Old Market in Omaha. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this area was the heart of Omaha's wholesale…

• Anheuser-Busch Beer Depot · 0.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Before refrigeration, this depot was crucial for distributing Anheuser-Busch beer across the region. In 1887, the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association of St. Louis commissioned Omaha architect Henry Voss to design this…

• Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District · 0.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine Omaha without trains. Hard to do, right? This area, the Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District, is where it all began. It's the place that cemented Omaha's role as a major transportation and commercial…

• Durham Museum (Omaha Union Station) · 0.7 mi · Landmark

  Built in 1931, Omaha's Art Deco Union Station served 10,000 passengers daily during WWII and now houses the Durham Museum, preserving the grand waiting hall with its original fixtures.

• Omaha Union Station · 0.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine a time when train travel was the height of luxury and efficiency. That's the story of Omaha's Union Station, a stunning example of Art Deco architecture right here in the Midwest. Built by Union Pacific, the…

• Jobbers Canyon Historic District · 0.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine a bustling industrial area with 24 buildings, now gone, that once defined Omaha's economic power. This was Jobbers Canyon. From the late 1800s through the 1900s, Jobbers Canyon was the heart of Omaha's wholesale…

• Omaha Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant · 0.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine the roar of machinery as this plant churned out 450,000 vehicles, employing 1,200 people. From 1916 to 1932, the Omaha Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant at 1514 Cuming Street was a major manufacturing hub. It…

• Guy C. Barton House · 1.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine the elaborate Victorian lifestyle of an industrialist and philanthropist in this once grand home. This spot was once the site of the Guy C. Barton House, a stunning mansion that was the height of Omaha society.…

• Blackstone Hotel (Omaha, Nebraska) · 1.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over! This spot right here is rumored to be the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich! The Blackstone Hotel opened its doors in 1915. It quickly became *the* place to stay in Omaha, hosting presidents like Harry Truman…

• Little Bohemia (Omaha, Nebraska) · 1.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over here for a taste of old-world Omaha! Little Bohemia was once the heart of the city's Czech community. Beginning in the 1880s, Czech immigrants flocked to this area, creating a vibrant neighborhood they…

• Joslyn Castle · 1.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine throwing the most lavish party Omaha had ever seen—that’s exactly what George and Sarah Joslyn did when they built this castle! In 1903, George Joslyn, a self-made millionaire thanks to his Western Newspaper…

• Webster Telephone Exchange Building · 1.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This unassuming building stands as a testament to Omaha's strength, having weathered one of the city's darkest days. The Webster Telephone Exchange Building, designed by architect Thomas Rogers Kimball, became a crucial…

• Broomfield Rowhouse · 1.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Take a look at that rowhouse – it’s a testament to talent overcoming barriers. Designed by Clarence W. Wigington, it's a reminder of the rich history right here in Omaha. In 1909, Wigington, a pioneering African…

• Dr. Samuel D. Mercer House · 1.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder where railroad surgeons lived back in the day? This is the Dr. Samuel D. Mercer House, once home to the chief surgeon of the Union Pacific Railroad and founder of Omaha's first hospital. In 1885, Dr. Mercer…

• Henry Doorly Zoo · 2.2 mi · Landmark

  Founded in 1894 as Riverview Park Zoo, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo houses the world's largest indoor desert and nocturnal exhibit under a 137-foot geodesic dome.

• USS Hazard · 2.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This WWII minesweeper braved enemy waters and now rests far from any ocean. The USS Hazard, AM-240, is an Admirable-class minesweeper commissioned in 1944. It served in the Pacific Theater during World War II,…

• Nebraska School for the Deaf · 2.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Right here, at this spot, stood a place of learning and community for generations of Deaf Nebraskans: the Nebraska School for the Deaf. Founded in 1869, the school provided kindergarten through twelfth-grade education…

• El Museo Latino · 3.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder where you can find a vibrant celebration of Latino culture in the heartland? That's El Museo Latino, the first Latino art and history museum in the Midwest. Founded in 1993 by Magdalena García, the museum…

• Livestock Exchange Building (Omaha, Nebraska) · 3.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This building was the heart of the Union Stockyards, once a major hub for the livestock industry. Built in 1926, the Livestock Exchange Building served as the headquarters for all the action. Designed by architect…

• Fort Omaha · 3.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Originally a supply depot for the Indian Wars, Fort Omaha played a crucial role in the westward expansion of the United States. What started as Sherman Barracks in the 1860s became a major supply hub for the U.S. Army…

• Fort Omaha Guardhouse · 3.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This unassuming guardhouse witnessed frontier justice firsthand, holding prisoners from across the spectrum of the Wild West. Built in 1883, the Fort Omaha Guardhouse served as a holding facility for Native American,…

• General Crook House · 3.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over here for a minute – this unassuming house was once home to a military leader who played a significant role in the history of the American West. General George Crook lived here while commanding the Department…

• RailsWest Railroad Museum · 4.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  You're about to roll past a spot that literally changed the map of America! This unassuming museum sits on ground once considered the very edge of the American frontier. In 1869, Council Bluffs became the official…

• Jean and Inez Bregant House · 4.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder about the little house on the edge of town? It's more than just a quirky building; it's a testament to the dreams of two performers named Jean and Inez Bregant. Jean and Inez were little people who toured…

• Chieftain Hotel · 4.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine the glamorous travelers who stayed at this grand hotel in the early 20th century. This isn't just a building; it's a window into Council Bluffs' bustling past! The Chieftain Hotel opened in 1927, rising eight…

• Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial · 4.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Have you ever seen a statue so striking, it stops you in your tracks? That's the Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial, also known as the Black Angel, right here in Council Bluffs. It's more than just art; it's a story etched in…

• Grenville M. Dodge House · 4.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Pull over for a minute; this spot connects to one of the biggest projects in American history, the Transcontinental Railroad. This beautiful Second Empire mansion was built in 1869 for Grenville M. Dodge. Dodge was no…

• Henry B. Neef House · 4.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder what a house made of steel looks like? You're about to find out! The Henry B. Neef House, right here in Omaha, was the first steel-frame house in the area. Henry Neef built this place back in 1929,…

• Pottawattamie County Jail · 5.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Dare to visit the 'Squirrel Cage Jail,' a bizarre rotary jail where cells rotated like a lazy susan. The Pottawattamie County Jail, also known as the 'Squirrel Cage Jail' because of its unique design, opened in 1885.…

• The Squirrel Cage Jail · 5.3 mi

  At 226 Pearl Street in Council Bluffs sits one of the strangest buildings ever to hold prisoners: the Pottawattamie County Jail, better known as the Squirrel Cage Jail. Built in 1885 for about thirty thousand dollars to…

• Fontenelle Forest · 5.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine this peaceful forest once echoed with the sounds of a nation at war. During the Mexican-American War, which lasted from 1846 to 1848, the strategic importance of the Missouri River led to the establishment of…

• Bank of Florence Museum · 5.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Ever wonder what banking was like on the wild frontier? You're driving near the Bank of Florence Museum, a place with a surprisingly colorful past.The original Bank of Florence operated here in the 1850s. It was a…

• Ralston, NE · 5.8 mi · Local history

  Ralston, Nebraska, sits in the rolling plains of Douglas County, part of the vast Western Corn Belt Plains. This land, once tallgrass prairie, saw its transformation begin with agriculture. Early settlers, drawn by the…

• Florence Mill (Omaha, Nebraska) · 6.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This old mill isn't just a pretty landmark; it once powered the entire Florence community! Back in 1846, this grist mill, later known as the Weber Mill, was built. It harnessed the power of the nearby water to grind…

• La Vista, NE · 7.4 mi · Local history

  La Vista, Nebraska, nestled in the rolling hills of Sarpy County within the Heartland region, began as a vision of suburban expansion. Its story is one of transformation from agricultural land, part of the vast Western…

• Cabanne's Trading Post · 8.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine this quiet spot buzzing with activity, a crucial hub connecting Native American tribes to the expanding American economy. This was Cabanne's Trading Post. Established around 1822 by the American Fur Company, it…

• McCarty-Lilley House · 8.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  This unassuming house has some serious history tied to a Mexican-American War veteran. Robert McCarty built this as a one-story home back in 1865.McCarty wasn't just any builder; he fought in the Battle of Buena Vista…

• Strategic Air Command: Nebraska's Nuclear Nerve Center · 9.6 mi · Historical

  In the autumn of 1948, the Strategic Air Command moved its headquarters to Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, placing the nerve center of America's nuclear arsenal in the geographic heart of the continent. The…

• Boys Town · 9.9 mi · Historic Site

  Father Edward Flanagan founded Boys Town in 1917 with $90 in borrowed money, eventually building a self-governing community for homeless boys that inspired the 1938 Spencer Tracy film.

• Boys Town: Father Flanagan's City of Little Men · 10.0 mi · Historical

  In December 1917, an Irish-born Catholic priest named Edward Flanagan borrowed ninety dollars from a friend and rented a drafty Victorian mansion in downtown Omaha to house homeless and neglected boys. He had one…

• Papillion, NE · 10.2 mi · Local history

  Papillion, Nebraska, situated in Sarpy County within the Western Corn Belt Plains, began as a small settlement along the Papillion Creek. Its early growth was tied to agriculture, typical of the Heartland region, with…

• Sarpy County, NE · 12.5 mi · Local history

  Sarpy County, Nebraska, began with the Missouri River. The area, part of the Western Corn Belt Plains, offered fertile land that drew early settlers. The river wasn't just a boundary; it was the lifeblood of the region,…

• Moses Merrill Mission · 13.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine trying to build a new life, bridging two very different worlds. That's what Moses and Eliza Merrill attempted here in the 1830s. The Merrills were missionaries who came to this area, then the edge of the…

• Fort Atkinson (Nebraska) · 14.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Imagine Nebraska with no towns. That's what it was like until this spot became the first! Fort Atkinson, established in 1819, was the first U.S. Army post west of the Missouri River, planted firmly in the newly acquired…

• Springfield, NE · 15.2 mi · Local history

  Springfield, Nebraska, sits nestled in the rolling hills of Sarpy County, part of the vast Western Corn Belt Plains. The town's location along the Platte River proved crucial to its early development, offering fertile…

• Meadow, NE · 18.2 mi · Local history

  Meadow, Nebraska sits nestled in the rolling hills of Sarpy County, part of the broad sweep of the Western Corn Belt Plains. The first European settlers arrived in this area seeking fertile land, drawn by the promise of…

• Bertrand (steamboat) · 19.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb

  Right here, under what's now farmland, lies the story of a sunken treasure! It's not gold doubloons, but the contents of the steamboat Bertrand, lost on its way to the Montana gold rush. Back in 1865, the Bertrand was…