Florence is a neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska on the city's north end. It is the site of Nebraska's oldest city, oldest cemetery for people of European descent, and oldest standing gristmill^[1] A neighbourhood or neighborhood (see spelling differences) is a geographically localised community located within a larger city or suburb. ... Nickname: Gateway to the West Location in Nebraska Coordinates: Country United States State Nebraska County Douglas Founded 1854 Incorporated 1857  - Mayor Michael Fahey (D) Area    - City 307. ... North Omaha is in the Missouri River bluffs above Eppley Airfield and Carter Lake North Omaha is a staggeringly diverse area in Omaha, Nebraska that is defined by its historical and modern neighborhoods, as well as its diverse racial and socio-economic composition. ... Gristmill with water wheel, Skyline Drive, VA, 1938 A gristmill is a building where grain is ground into flour. ...

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 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] 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... Winter Quarters, Nebraska, was an encampment formed by approximately 3,500 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they awaited better conditions for their trek westward during the winter of 1846-1847. ... Nauvoo (נָאווּ to be beautiful, Sephardi Hebrew Nåvu, Tiberian Hebrew Nâwû) is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... Nebraska Territory was a historic, organized territory of the United States from May 30, 1854 until March 1, 1867 when Nebraska became the 37th U.S. state. ...

In 1855 Florence made a bid to become the Nebraska State Capitol, but lost to Omaha.^[3] 1855 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Nebraska State Capitol The Nebraska State Capitol (aka The Tower on the Plain), located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is the capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Nebraska. ...

In 1917 the community was annexed by the City of Omaha.^[4] The Fort Omaha Balloon School was established later that year as the first such military school in America. "Florence Field," about a mile north of Fort Omaha, consisted of 119 acres.^[5] Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ...

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 - On October 10, 1892, the City of Omaha set stakes for Florence Boulevard. Following the bluff line along the Missouri, Florence Boulevard was laid out to afford fine views of the river valley. The route was popular for recreational drives – first by carriage and bicycles and later by car.
• 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 adesignated 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.

Mormon Bridge from Nebraska going into Iowa. ... Interstate 680 is the designation for three tertiary interstate routes. ... The Missouri River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the United States. ... The Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple is the 104th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The term wildcat bank refers to a particularly unsound and risky bank chartered under state law in the United States. ... Personal residence of Catherine the Great Greek Revival was a style of classical architecture which became fashionable in Europe in the 18th century, and in the United Kingdom and United States in the early 19th century. ...

References

1. ^ (n.d.) History of the Florence Mill.
2. ^ (n.d.) Historic Florence - Culter's Park Marker
3. ^ Reeves, R. (n.d.) Douglas County History University of Nebraska.
4. ^ Reeves, R. (n.d.) Douglas County History University of Nebraska.
5. ^ Reeves, R. (n.d.) Douglas County History University of Nebraska.

Related links

• Discover North Omaha website
• Historical Florence website