Gifford Park
Encyclopedia
Gifford Park is a historic neighborhood in midtown Omaha
, Nebraska
. It is roughly bounded by the North Freeway on the east, North 38th Street on the west, Dodge Street on the south and Cuming Street on the north. Its namesake park was added to the City parks network in 1916. The neighborhood is bounded by several historic neighborhoods, including Bemis Park, Gold Coast
, and the Near North Side
.
. The community is named after Dr. Harold Gifford, Sr. who donated the property that became Gifford Park at 35th and Davenport Streets to the City of Omaha in 1912 for a neighborhood park. It was added to the city park system in 1916. The area of 33rd and California was a busy commercial center in the 1920s and 30s. The area included grocery stores, an upholstery shop, dentist, a delicatessen, tavern, bakery, theatre, barber shop, and a variety store. Other businesses in the area included a filling station, ice house, the California Beauty School, garage, butcher shop and drug store.
Several schools served the community. They included Yates Elementary School at 3260 Davenport Street, Tech High School
at North 30th and Cuming Street, and the Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart at North 36th and Burt Streets.
The neighborhood was greatly damaged during the Easter Tornado of 1913
. Several houses and buildings in the area, including Ducshene Academy, were greatly damaged.
committed to preserving and uplifting the community. Several ongoing improvement projects aim to beautify the neighborhood, particularly by renovating the park. Today the Gifford Park is 5.6 acres (22,662.4 m²), including a playground, ball field, two tennis courts, walking paths and a shelter area.
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. It is roughly bounded by the North Freeway on the east, North 38th Street on the west, Dodge Street on the south and Cuming Street on the north. Its namesake park was added to the City parks network in 1916. The neighborhood is bounded by several historic neighborhoods, including Bemis Park, Gold Coast
Gold Coast Historic District (Omaha, Nebraska)
The Gold Coast Historic District is located in Midtown Omaha, Nebraska. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, this historic district covers approximately a 30 block area roughly bounded by 36th, 40th, Jones, and Cuming Streets...
, and the Near North Side
Near North Side (Omaha, Nebraska)
The Near North Side of Omaha, Nebraska is the neighborhood immediately north of downtown. It forms the nucleus of the city's African-American community, and its name is often synonymous with the entire North Omaha area...
.
History
The land that comprises Gifford Park was part of one of the first claims in Omaha City, made by the first mayor of Omaha, Jesse LoweJesse Lowe
Jesse Lowe was the first mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, serving for one year from March 5, 1857 to March 2, 1858. An important real estate agent in the early city, Lowe is credited with naming the city after the Omaha Tribe....
. The community is named after Dr. Harold Gifford, Sr. who donated the property that became Gifford Park at 35th and Davenport Streets to the City of Omaha in 1912 for a neighborhood park. It was added to the city park system in 1916. The area of 33rd and California was a busy commercial center in the 1920s and 30s. The area included grocery stores, an upholstery shop, dentist, a delicatessen, tavern, bakery, theatre, barber shop, and a variety store. Other businesses in the area included a filling station, ice house, the California Beauty School, garage, butcher shop and drug store.
Several schools served the community. They included Yates Elementary School at 3260 Davenport Street, Tech High School
Technical High School (Omaha, Nebraska)
Technical High School was a public high school that was located at 3215 Cuming Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Opened in 1923, the school was said to be the largest high school west of Chicago. It was the largest in the Omaha area before it was closed in 1984...
at North 30th and Cuming Street, and the Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart at North 36th and Burt Streets.
The neighborhood was greatly damaged during the Easter Tornado of 1913
Omaha Easter Sunday Tornado (1913)
The Omaha Easter Sunday Tornado struck Omaha, Nebraska at approximately 6:00 p.m. on 23 March 1913. A massive tornado-producing storm ripped its way through Nebraska, and through the thriving city of Omaha...
. Several houses and buildings in the area, including Ducshene Academy, were greatly damaged.
Present
The neighborhood is the location of a twenty-year old and highly active neighborhood associationNeighborhood association
A neighborhood association is a group of residents or property owners who advocate for or organize activities within a neighborhood. An association may have elected leaders and voluntary dues....
committed to preserving and uplifting the community. Several ongoing improvement projects aim to beautify the neighborhood, particularly by renovating the park. Today the Gifford Park is 5.6 acres (22,662.4 m²), including a playground, ball field, two tennis courts, walking paths and a shelter area.
External links
- Map of the neighborhood.
- Gifford Park Neighborhood Scan. University of Nebraska at Omaha.
- Gifford Park Neighborhood Association.
