A long and little-known block called Bensonhurst, created about a century ago, today has 85 houses diverse in style and size and with huge backyards and storied residents.
Indeed, the block is so long that, years ago, kids living on one end were assigned to one grade school, while those on the other end went to another.
People early on dubbed the uninterrupted stretch of 58th Street from the Northwest Radial to Pratt Street “banker’s row” because of the investor and finance types who built the area with covenants to ensure that it would be extraordinary.
This weekend, that eclectic neighborhood will be the feature of the annual Restoration Exchange Omaha tour, an event designed to showcase older housing stock and creative preservation.
Visitors on the tour will get to see the twins — a pair of Queen Anne-style look-alike residences built in 1908 for two sisters. (One of the homes was featured last year on the HGTV series “House Hunters.”)
A pair of almost identical Queen Anne-style homes, built for two sisters in 1908, will be part of the Restoration Exchange Omaha tour on North 58th Street this weekend. There are 85 homes of varying size and style on that long stretch of 58th.
They will get to see the curious little Prairie-style house that in 1953 was a murder scene, the spot where a physician and his wife were killed at random by a Navy veteran suffering from a mental breakdown.
Also among the 10 houses on the walk-through tour is a brick bungalow once owned by the widow of a Swanson TV dinner executive that is now the residence of Lori and Jack Hubbell.
The Hubbells are proud to show off their Craftsman-style house erected in 1923 — including the unique artifacts they’ve collected from around the world, the big garage rare for its time period and the oversized courtyard Lori describes as a “private park in your backyard.”
But the couple are just as excited for visitors to catch an inside peek at an aging neighborhood they say collectively remains close-knit, preserved and financially within reach for many.
“For the most part, these are affordable homes,” Lori Hubbell said. She quipped: “You might call us the proletariat tour.”
Nicole Malone, an Omaha architect who helps organize the tours, said Restoration Exchange Omaha aims to educate, invigorate and advocate for old and historic properties. “Because all these places have a story.”
Bensonhurst surfaced as a contender for the 15th annual tour thanks to a poke by Christine and Joe Watson, whose 58th Street cottage-style house has a backyard that’s a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Residents like the Watsons and Hubbells, who agree to open their homes for the tour, get an REO membership and a binder of photos, newspaper clips and research pertaining to their home.
Beth Feltus
Malone said this year’s research, conducted largely by REO volunteer Beth Feltus, is the most extensive so far.
Feltus, whose day job deals with insurance benefits, combed decades of records to understand the property that was originally part of John H. Creighton’s farmland. Eventually, the land was sold to Imogen A. Benson, who, with husband Erastus and partners, carved out Bensonhurst, an addition to the village of Benson.
During her research, Feltus uncovered editions of the 58th Street News — a newspaper produced by a small group of neighborhood girls ages 12 and under.
The summer project was dreamed up by Elizabeth Otte’s mom as a way to keep neighborhood kids busy. It stretched four summers, 1958 through 1961, before high school activities and commitments distracted staff from their reporter notepads.
While the young journalists covered lighter fare — a deer spotted in the Draney yard; a sleepwalking-related fall at 2935 N. 58th — they also documented trends, family connections and news that boosted Feltus’ research.
One story published the results of the reporters’ door-to-door survey that found diverse immigrant roots yet similarities among neighbors.
“Here everyone is American,” the piece said.
Another story revealed details of a trip taken by a resident alderman. Then-City Councilman Warren Swigart (of 3328 N. 58th) flew on his own dime, the paper reported, to learn about Kansas City’s infrastructure.
Yvonne Carlson Wagner, now 72, was assistant editor for the 58th Street News and recalled a memorable story about the street’s history.
Editor-in-Chief Otte, now 74, went on to become a lawyer and judge in Iowa. She fondly recalls how the neighborhood kids identified houses on the street by the names of families who lived in them, the Kaufmans, the Carlsons, Corbaleys, McKinneys.
“You felt like you knew people all along the block and they knew you,” Otte said in an interview this week. “Maybe it was like that in every neighborhood … I just know it was a comfortable place to grow up.”
Lori Hubbell, president of the Bensonhurst Neighborhood Association, in the courtyard in her backyard that she says is like a “private park.”
For Lori Hubbell, who serves as president of the Bensonhurst Neighborhood Association and is also a real estate agent, that feeling of community remains a hallmark of her neighborhood as she knows it today.
Residents have changed to include musicians, attorneys, yoga instructors, a traveling physician, a news editor.
But when she turns into Bensonhurst and its colorful canopy of trees lining the streets, Hubbell said, stress fades.
“And everything is OK with the world.”
Dodge Street
Dodge Street: Dodge was believed to be named for U.S. Sen. Augustus Caesar Dodge, of Iowa, who championed the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 — along with Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, for whom Douglas Street is named. The 1854 act established the two territories, opened new lands, repealed the 1820 Missouri Compromise and allowed new settlers to decide whether they would allow slavery. But, over the years, it became less clear of the origin of the street name, and many took issue with what they called Augustus Caesar Dodge's pro-slavery stances. And so, in 2016, an effort was launched to officially name Dodge Street in honor of Civil War Brig. Gen. Grenville Mellen Dodge and his brother, real estate pioneer N.P. Dodge. Those efforts were approved by the city, county and state in 2016.
Jones Street
Jones Street: Alfred D. Jones did Omaha City’s first survey in 1854. It was said that, as Omaha’s first postmaster, the lawyer carried the mail in his hat.
Johnny Rodgers Street
Johnny Rodgers Street: Marlin Briscoe, left, and Johnny Rodgers pose for a photo before a ceremony to rename a section of Burt Street, between 30th and 33rd Streets, Johnny Rodgers Street on July 30, 2015. Read more
Capitol Avenue
Capitol Avenue: This route led from the Missouri River to the second Nebraska territorial capitol, located on top of a hill near 20th and Dodge Streets. That building was replaced by Omaha High School in 1872, then by the school’s second building, which was completed in 1912. Omaha High School is now known as Omaha Central High School.
Mike Fahey Street
Mike Fahey Street: Fahey, pictured in 2009 at the ceremony renaming seven blocks of Webster Street from 10th Street to Creighton University as Mike Fahey Street, was the city’s longest-serving mayor since the City Charter was approved by voters in 1956.
A.V. Sorensen Parkway
A.V. Sorensen Parkway: Omaha businessman Axel Vergman Sorensen, mayor from 1965 to 1969, chaired a convention in 1956 that wrote the city’s current governing charter.
Farnam Street
Farnam Street: Originally the main drag in Omaha, Farnam Street was named for railroad promoter Henry Farnam.
Bob Gibson Boulevard
Bob Gibson Boulevard: Bob Gibson speaks after the unveiling of the street named after him in 1999. Deer Park Boulevard near Rosenblatt Stadium was renamed Bob Gibson Boulevard after the former St. Louis Cardinal pitching great and Hall of Fame member. Read more
Neal Mosser Boulevard
Neal Mosser Boulevard: The stretch of Cuming Street from 30th to 33rd Streets was named after longtime Tech High basketball coach Neal Mosser in 2005. His coaching tenure stretched from 1948 to the late 1960s, and he was recognized as a positive influence on countless athletes, including Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson and NBA star and Olympic gold medalist Bob Boozer.
Bud Crawford Street
Bud Crawford Street: Larimore Avenue between 31st Avenue and 33rd Street was designated Terence "Bud" Crawford Street. The professional boxer was born and raised on that stretch of Larimore. Read more
Millard Avenue
Millard Avenue: Ezra Millard was president of the Omaha National Bank, which he organized in 1866. In 1871, he bought the land that was to become Millard.
Carol Van Metre Lane
Carol Van Metre Lane: Named in honor of the late Carol Van Metre, who worked to help ensure that the children of Omaha had parks and fields in which to play. It winds east from 24th Street at Woolworth Avenue and leads to Columbus Park, the Columbus Community Center, and Van Metre Field, which is named for Carol’s husband, Dave. Read more
College World Series Avenue
College World Series Avenue: The section of 13th Street between Cuming Street and Mike Fahey Street was renamed College World Series Avenue in 2011 as a permanent reminder that TD Ameritrade Park is the home of the CWS. Read more
Dave Rimington Street
Dave Rimington Street: Mayor Mike Fahey with football great and philanthropist Dave Rimington, an Omaha South grad, during the dedication of the 20th Street to 24th Street section of L Street as Dave Rimington Street in 2002. Rimington redefined the center position at Nebraska, winning two Outland Trophies and a Lombardi Award before launching a seven-year NFL career. Read more
Boyd Street
Boyd Street: James E. Boyd was twice mayor of Omaha in the 1880s. The Irish immigrant became governor of Nebraska in 1890.
California Street
California Street: Gold seekers headed west for California landed near this street after crossing the Missouri River.
Cuming Street
Cuming Street: Secretary of the Nebraska Territory and acting Gov. Thomas B. Cuming convened the first Nebraska Territorial Legislature in Omaha in 1854, making Omaha the capital.
Harney Street
Harney Street: At the outbreak of the Civil War, Gen. William S. Harney was commander of the Department of the West.
Kyle Wayne LeFlore Street
Kyle Wayne LeFlore Street: The block of 29th Street between Fowler Ave and Meredith Ave was renamed Kyle Wayne LeFlore Street in honor of Sgt. LeFlore on July 20, 2018. LeFlore was slain in Omaha while on holiday vacation from the military. Read more
Marlin Briscoe Way
Marlin Briscoe Way: Marlin Briscoe, the first black starting quarterback in the NFL and an Omaha South High School graduate, was honored with a street named in his honor. Read more
Military Avenue
Military Avenue: This part of the original Overland Trail twisted through Omaha and Benson starting in 1857. It was used to move military supplies to Fort Kearny and by settlers heading to the Northwest. In 1994, part of Military Road near 82nd and Fort Streets was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Minne Lusa Boulevard
Minne Lusa Boulevard: Minne Lusa is a Native American term meaning “clear water.” A Florence pumping station was on the street. An elementary school of the same name is located near Minne Lusa Boulevard today.
Paxton Boulevard
Paxton Boulevard: William A. Paxton, known as the “real founder of South Omaha,” organized the Union Stockyards Company. He co-founded Paxton & Gallagher Wholesale Grocery, became co-owner of the Paxton & Vierling Iron Works and served in the Nebraska legislature. The Paxton Hotel was named for him.
Poppleton Avenue
Poppleton Avenue: Andrew Jackson Poppleton, a member of the first territorial legislature, was involved in deciding the territorial capital’s location. The attorney successfully represented Standing Bear in the Ponca chief’s 1879 trial. Poppleton served three times as mayor of Omaha.
Saddle Creek Road
Saddle Creek Road: This one sounds like it could be a tall tale, right? Details are sparse, but a man was apparently heading west out of Omaha to make his fortune mining gold. He didn’t get very far before a saddle fell off his wagon and into a creek that then flowed in the area. Hence the name Saddle Creek.
Woolworth Avenue
Woolworth Avenue: Attorney James Woolworth helped develop South Omaha’s stockyards. He wrote and published “The History of Omaha” in 1857. The city was only three years old.
Fred Astaire Avenue
On May 11, 2019, the day after what would’ve been dancing and acting legend Fred Astaire’s 120th birthday, Omaha honored its native son with his own street. The Fred Astaire Avenue sign is visible on 10th Street at Martha Street, less than a block from the house where Astaire was born. The family moved from Omaha to New York City in 1905.
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