Explore the Corridor: Art, History, Flavor
From jazz legacies to contemporary murals, North 24th Street invites you to explore culture in motion. Use this page to discover spaces, stories, and flavors.
Signature Events
Celebrate the corridor’s heartbeat—festivals and gatherings that keep culture alive.
North 24th Street BID Annual Ollie the Trolley Tour – Each September these themed tours of the BID area introduce residents and visitors to a different aspect of the corridor’s culture.
North Omaha Visitors Center Tours
North Omaha Visitors Center Tours - From North 24th St to the 30th St corridor, and the Malcolm X Foundation, celebrate the past and embrace the future on this wonderful, entertaining tour of North Omaha.
The Empowerment Network “In the Village” Series – Family fun hosted annually at Lake & 24th Street: First Fridays in the Village, Easter in the Village, Fall Fest in the Village, Trunk or Treat in the Village, Christmas in the Village.
NomaFest – Indoors, outdoors, and around town, August signals the North Omaha Music & Arts annual showcase of the best musical talent from around the country.
Native Omaha Days – The Native Omaha Days Festival has been Omaha’s premier homecoming event for 45 years. Biennially native Omahans come back to town to visit family, classmates, and friends all while celebrating the invigorating history of North Omaha.
Cultural Spaces
Step into the studios, galleries, and stages where North 24th’s creative pulse comes alive.
The Union for Contemporary Art and Shirley Tyree Theater – “The Union” is a gallery, performance space, community garden, and multidisciplinary arts center that strengthens the cultural and social landscape of our community by using the arts as a vehicle to inspire positive social change.
GPBHM – The only history museum in the state of Nebraska focused on telling American History through the lens of African Americans. Their mission is to preserve, educate, and exhibit the contributions and achievements of African Americans with an emphasis on the Great Plains region, as well as provide a space to learn, explore, reflect and remember our history.
NOMA is a space dedicated to live performance and music education. creative academy for the youth of the Omaha community and world-class entertainment destination. For NOMA’s event schedule:
Dedicated to enriching the visitor experience while supporting community vitality through cultural exploration, tourism, and economic opportunity. Rooted in a commitment to honoring North Omaha’s legacy, the center serves as a vibrant hub that connects visitors to the area’s rich history, thriving small businesses, and dynamic attractions. It also offers a first-class, professional bus tour designed to elevate awareness and celebrate the spirit of North Omaha.
A cultural hub rooted in North Omaha, dedicated to celebrating creativity, community, and collective impact. It is a place for artists of all kinds to show up and grow their talents.
The ONLY black founded, owned, and directed fine arts gallery space in the state of Nebraska, located in the historic north side of the city of Omaha.
Founded in 1887, Mt. Moriah is Omaha’s oldest predominantly African American Baptist Church and has historically provided services to meet the spiritual, economic and health needs of the North Omaha community.
The Revive Center is a place for celebrations, events, meetings, business, community, and awesome food. The center is also available for rentals.
Preserving the legacy of the Omaha Star Newspaper, fostering Black Media, and advancing African American history, culture, and contributions.
Meeting and conference facilities available to rent to the public, accommodating up to 50 guests for board meetings, lectures, corporate retreats and workshops.
A curated selection of spaces for hosting a workshop, panel, networking event, community conversation and more.
Historic Buildings & Sites
Walk the corridor of memory—landmarks and murals that turned local stories into lasting legacy.
Dizzie at Dreamland Ballroom
Completed in 1923, the Jewell Building stands as one of the first substantial commercial buildings constructed in North Omaha. Its substance, however, does not lie in its architectural or commercial value. Its importance has grown and matured as the Jewell Building remains a landmark of African American history in the community. Its walls fondly hold the memories of time - for past, present and future generations of community residents as well as visitors.
Current home of the Great Plains Black History Museum.
2221-2225 North 24th Street
Located at 2213 Lake Street, the Webster Telephone Exchange Building was built in 1906 by the Nebraska Telephone Company. The company was started in 1884 to provide service across Nebraska extending into the Rocky Mountains, including north through Wyoming and south past Denver. They also provided service throughout Pottawatomie County in Iowa.
Broomfield Rowhouse
The Broomfield Rowhouse is a two-family home located one block west of North Omaha’s commercial core along Lake Street. Jack Broomfield commissioned the building from Clarence Wigington to provide housing for some of the city’s growing population. Wigington is a celebrated early African American architect who received his education under the guidance of prominent architect Thomas Rogers Kimball. Wigington’s distinct talent is reflected in his design for the Broomfield Rowhouse which was completed in 1913. While the overall form is a simple rectangle with flat roof, Wigington skillfully applied Craftsman details to create an aesthetically pleasing building that endures to the present. A second Wigington rowhouse, the Crutchfield, was constructed adjacent to the Broomfield but is non-extant.
2502-2504 Lake Street
The Omaha Star Institute
Built in 1923, the Omaha Star Building at 2216 North 24th St. is a landmark of African American history, serving as the headquarters for The Omaha Star newspaper launched by Mildred Brown and her husband S. E. Gilbert in 1938. The Omaha Star is Nebraska's longest-running and only Black-owned newspaper.
United States Post Office Station “A” was organized in 1894 and space dedicated to this use has been located in a number of areas in the district. In 1901 the post office was the only commercial building located on the northwest corner of North 24th and Lake Streets. Prior to the 1913 tornado, it was in a building located at 2418 North 24th Street. In response to “expanding business in the community” a new building was constructed at 2205 North 24th The post office officially opened on October 2, 1948 and served at the same location for over half a century. Today it is the home of the North Omaha Visitors Center.
2205 North 24th Street
Reference: National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
North 24th and Lake Streets Historic District Douglas County, Nebraska
Section 7: page 7
2323 N 24th St Filling Station (Ital Vital)
Constructed as a filling station c1920 it is emblematic of twentieth century car culture. The structure also served the community as an auto repair station and more recently, various commercial uses.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance
Maps of Omaha, Nebraska. New York: 1934
Volume 2. Digital. University of Nebraska-
Lincoln Library. Lincoln, NE. 2323 North
24th Street. p. 239.
2323 North 24th Street
Reference: National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
North 24th and Lake Streets Historic District Douglas County, Nebraska
Section 7: page 7
The building was constructed around 1914. By 1916 it was occupied by clothing launderer, Frank J. Carey. Carey Cleaners occupied the building Sherman Laundry moved into the space, operating Standard Laundry. A 1934 Sanborn map shows Edholm and Sherman Laundry Company occupying 2401, the two-story building at 2405 and another two-story building at 2411 North 24th Street. The company was active in the Omaha community for a number of years sponsoring a successful municipal baseball team. In 1951 the buildings were offered for sale.11 Over time, 2401 North 24th Street has been occupied by automotive body shops, shining shops, and a daycare center.
Today it is home to the Union for Contemporary Art
Reference: National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
North 24th and Lake Streets Historic District Douglas County, Nebraska
Section 7: page 9
Edholm-Sherman Laundry Company. (1949, December 29). From
the Bostwick-Frohardt collection owned by KMTV on permanent loan to the
Durham Museum. Identifier BF1005-004.
The Blue Lion Center is located at 2419-2425 North 24th Street. Its long history extends over a century, including stores, offices, clubs and more. Unlike the other three corners in the main intersection of the 24th and Lake Historic District, this building survived the City of Omaha’s “slum clearance” programs in the 1970s, and the community is fortunate for that.
The Blue Lion Center
Meyer, Lynn. (Photographer). (circa 1983). Blue Lion Building.
Photograph courtesy of City of Omaha.
Reference: National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
North 24th and Lake Streets Historic District Douglas County, Nebraska
Section 7: pages 10-12
Micklin Lumber Company
2109 North 24th Street
The Micklin Lumber Yard, owned by a family in North Omaha’s Jewish community. Planing and other woodworking was done on the first floor, and storage was on the second. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the 24th and Lake Historic District in North Omaha, Nebraska.
Constructed around 1940, this building was first the home to Carl Rabes’ tavern. In 1951 Paul Allen and his wife, pianist Dorothy, bought the tavern from Rabes and by the mid-1960s it was known as Allen’s Showcase Lounge, where many nationally known black musicians and comics performed including Dionne Warwick, Sam Cooke, T-Bone Walker and Redd Foxx. Allen, a World War II veteran, also worked in a number of civic positions which began during Mayor A.V. Sorenson’s tenure. He and his wife were very active throughout the North Omaha community and also owned A&A Music.
2229 Lake Street
Showcase Building
2229 Lake Street. Alley Poyner
Macchietto Architecture. 2015.
Reference: National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
North 24th and Lake Streets Historic District Douglas County, Nebraska
Section 7: page 12
Public Art
Walk the corridor of memory—landmarks and murals that turned local stories into lasting legacy.
Preston Love, Sr. Historical Marker
Located at North 24th & Lake Streets, a historic marker to Preston Love, Sr. (1921-2004) honors the renowned saxophonist, bandleader and songwriter from Omaha's Northside. There’s also a commemorative street sign for the jazz legend between Lake and Ohio Streets, a nod to the historic African American hub where Love's Jazz & Art Center and significant community history was made.
Located at North 24th and Lake Streets the memorial pays tribute to Dr. King’s international leadership as a proponent of civil and humanitarian rights and as a prominent Baptist minister. Featuring a mural, engraved pavers honoring numerous local civil rights leaders, pastors, and community members who helped build Omaha's Black community and champion equality, benches, and trees, it serves as a site for community reflection, wreath-laying ceremonies, and civil rights marches. It remains a lasting tribute to Dr. King's legacy in Omaha, which includes visits in 1958 and 1960.
Located on the Omaha Star Institute campus this area has been reimagined into an Omaha Star Walk of Fame, history lesson, green space and mini entertainment venue in North Omaha.
2220 N 24th Street
Dreamland Plaza - Jazz Trio
Dreamland Plaza is a tribute to North Omaha’s jazz history. The plaza is named after the Dreamland Ballroom. The park's centerpiece is a 9-foot-tall statue titled "Jazz Trio," created by nationally recognized sculptor Littleton Alston. The piece depicts a jazz trio in performance, featuring a trumpeter, a saxophonist, and a female vocalist.
2322 North 24th Street (North 24th Street and Lizzie Robinson Avenue)
On June 24, 1969, 14-year-old Vivian Strong was shot and killed by a white Omaha police officer while running from a vacant housing unit, sparking three days of riots in North Omaha. The historical marker honors her life and is symbolic of the courage of African American youth in North Omaha who organized in protest of the killing and police brutality. Officer James Loder was arrested for the murder and found innocent of all charges. The incident is widely recognized as a turning point in Omaha's history regarding police-community relations.
North 24th & Blondo Street next to 2021 N. 24th Street
Resource: Great Plains Black History Museum
A Queen’s Legacy
2242 N. 24th Street
Located on the south side of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church at 24th and Ohio Streets,
Recognizing the role of the church and religious leaders in building and sustaining the North Omaha community. Created by artist Joëlle Storet and community members the mural was made possible through The Union for Contemporary Art's Neighborhood Arts Program.
Celebrates the heritage and future of Omaha’s African American community. Created by Reggie LeFlore, the mural was made possible through The Union for Contemporary Art's Neighborhood Arts Program.
North Omaha Black Church Legacy and The Ancestor, The Identity and The Seed Murals
2501 Taylor Street
Capturing the vibrancy of North Omaha. Created by Destiny Palmer, the mural was made possible through The Union for Contemporary Art's Neighborhood Arts Program.
2200 North 22nd Street
2205 North 24th Street
A tribute to the 21 Omaha-connected Tuskegee Airmen. Created by Aaryon Bird Williams, organized by Fliye Arts, and sponsored by the Omaha Economic Development Corporation and Step Up.
An innovative, vibrant, multi-use pathway that connects neighborhoods, promotes healthy living, celebrates the rich cultural heritage of North Omaha, and leads the way in environmental stewardship.
Creative Services
Culinary Heritage
Taste the tradition—soulful plates and fresh flavors that tell the story of North Omaha’s culture.
2402 Lizzie Robinson Avenue
