Florence

Florence is a neighborhood in Omaha's north end. It is one of Nebraska's oldest towns, and has the oldest cemetery for people of European descent and oldest standing gristmill in the state.^[1] Florence was also the site of an adjunct Nebraska Territorial Legislature in 1858.

[edit] History

In 1846 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established their Winter Quarters in present-day Florence as a hold-over on their way from Nauvoo, Illinois to Utah. Due to the harsh conditions, 359 members of the 2,500 person party die and are buried in what is now called the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery. Their community was the first city in the Nebraska Territory, and was called Culter's Park by its residents. Although it only existed for two years, the city had a mayor and city council, 24 policemen and fireguards, various administrative committees, and a town square for public meetings.^[2]

The Mormon pioneers left their town once they moved on in 1848. Soon thereafter the town of Florence was started, with settlers occupying the old shacks and businesses left over from Cutler's Park.

In the spring of 1855 James C. Mitchell, following the advice of Peter A. Sarpy, platted the village of Florence, including the old buildings and improvements of the former Cutler's Park.^[3]

It may not be generally known that, about seven miles north of Omaha, on the Missouri River, there is a small hamlet, yeleped Florence, the proprietors of which have been, for months, laboring assiduously to delude strangers that it was a city. - Omaha Nebraskian, 1857.^[4]

Late in the same year Florence made a bid to become the Nebraska State Capitol, which it lost to the town of Omaha, located five miles south.^[5]

The Bank of Florence, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built as a wildcat bank in 1856. It fell in the Panic of 185], leaving thousands of local townspeople and area farmers severely financially drained.

[edit] Florence Legislature

In January, 1858 a group of representatives illegally moved the Nebraska Territorial Legislature to Florence following a violent outburst at the State Capitol in Omaha. After repeatedly being dogged out of voting on the removal of the Capitol from Omaha, a skirmish pitted representatives from Nebraska City, Florence, and other communities to convene outside of Omaha. Despite having a majority of members present for the vote to remove the Capitol and all agreeing, the "Florence Legislature" did not succeed in swaying the Nebraska Territory governor, and the Capitol remained in Omaha until 1867 when Nebraska gained statehood.^[6]

[edit] Omaha annexation

In 1917 Florence was annexed by the City of Omaha.^[7] The Fort Omaha Balloon School was established later that year as the first such military school in America, and was located on "Florence Field," a 119-acre reserve about a mile north of Fort Omaha.^[8]

[edit] Landmarks

Florence is filled with historical places. They include:

• Mormon Pioneer Cemetery
• Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge - Located at Interstate 680 and the Missouri River or where I-680 would intersect with John J. Pershing Drive
• Florence Boulevard - Running from Burt Street north to J.J. Pershing Drive, this was once called the "Prettiest Mile" and was considered a main feature of Omaha's boulevard system.
• Notre Dame Convent
• Community Baptist Church - Located at 8019 North 31st Street.
• Florence School (Tucker & N. 31st)
• St Philip Neri
• Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple - Dedicated in April 2001.
• Bank of Florence - A wildcat bank founded in 1856, this site was designated as an Omaha landmark on October 14, 1980. It is a Greek Revival-style building built between 1850 and 1874, and is located at 8502 North 30th (30th & Willit).
• Florence Depot - 9000 North 30th Street.
• Florence Firehouse - 8415 North 29th Street.
• Florence Mill - Also known as the Weber Mill, Mormon Mill, Grist Mill, and Old Pink Mill, this site is on the National Register of Historic Places, hosts two historic markers and is located at 9102 North 30th Street.
• Mormon Bridge Tollhouse - 3010 Willit
• Potter's Field Cemetery - 5100 Young Street, located next to Forest Lawn Cemetery at 7909 Mormon Bridge Road.
• Keirle House

[edit] References

1. ↑ (n.d.) History of the Florence Mill.
2. ↑ (n.d.) Historic Florence - Culter's Park Marker
3. ↑ (n.d.) Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska - Douglas County
4. ↑ As cited in Bristow, D. (1997) A Dirty, Wicked Town: Tale of 19th Century Omaha. Caxton Press.
5. ↑ Reeves, R. (n.d.) Douglas County History University of Nebraska.
6. ↑ Bristow, D.
7. ↑ Reeves, R. Douglas County History University of Nebraska.
8. ↑ Reeves, R. (n.d.) Douglas County History University of Nebraska.

[edit] External links

• Historical Florence website
• 1856 drawing of the steamer Omaha landing Mormon settlers at Florence.

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