Benson neighborhood (Omaha, Nebraska)
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Benson is a historic neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. Now a pocket within North Omaha, Benson Place was originally platted in 1887 and was annexed into the City of Omaha in 1917.
[edit] History
Erastus Benson was a land speculator, investor and philanthropist who unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Omaha in 1906. He was an early investor in marketing Thomas Edison's inventions, including the phonograph and the Kinetoscope.[1][2] In 1887, he purchased approximately 900 acres (3.6 km2) of farm land from Edward Creighton, an Omaha businessman. On March 4, 1887, Benson platted the land on the Creighton farm and called it Benson Place, later changing it to Benson. The newly platted community was located along Military Avenue, approximately 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Omaha.
On May 25, 1917, the city of Omaha, Nebraska annexed the town of Benson. At that time, it was 1.4 mi² and had 5000 residents.[3] Early that year the city built a new city hall and fire station that was converted to a community center in 1923. It is still in use as such today.
Krug Park was an amusement park located at 2936 North 52nd Street in Benson. In 1930 the park was the site of the worst roller coaster accident in the country to that year,[4] and in 1940 it was closed. Today Gallagher Park is located on the original Krug Park site.
[edit] Currently
Today, the Benson High School is in the Omaha Public Schools district, as are Monroe Middle School and Benson West Elementary School. Benson is home to several live music venues Common Grounds Coffeehouse, Benson Grind The Waiting Room, Barley Street Tavern, PS Collective, the Pizza Shoppe, Krug Park as well as Hargiss Stringed Instruments, a luthier shop. Area churches include St. Bernard Catholic Church, the St. Paul United Methodist Church, Benson Church of Christ, Benson Presbyterian Church of Omaha, and Benson Baptist Church of Omaha Nebraska. Local artists include Mark Goodall.
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Benson Post Office located on main street Benson.
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The Benson Library located just off main street.
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Section of Benson Main Street Business District.
[edit] References
- ^ Robinson, D. (1996) From Peep Show to Palace: The Birth of American Film, Columbia University Press. p. 37.
- ^ Edison Film and Sound:History of Edison Motion Pictures. Retrieved 8/10/07.
- ^ History of Nebraska - Chapter 35, retrieved 14dec2006
- ^ "Survivor recalls Krug Park tragedy," KETV.com. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
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