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OMAHA, NEBRASKA

Omaha, Nebraska began as a ferry crossing point across the Missouri River. The city was later founded in 1854 as an outfitting center for those joining the Mormon and Oregon Trails from this point. In the 1860's it became the Eastern terminus of the nation's first transcontinental railroad (Union Pacific). The railroad brought cattle from the West which built the stockyards and meat-packing industry, the railroad also brought emigrants from the East. Western Union strung the first telegraph wires to span the country from Omaha.

The poet, Carl Sandburg, described Omaha as a 'roughneck' city. The stockyards and meatpacking plants of those times are now gone, replaced with modern buildings, businesses, and attractions. Omaha is the home of the giant insurance company, Mutual of Omaha, as well as Woodmen of the World and others. The Old Market now houses shops and trendy restaurants and entertainment spots in reabilitated warehouses. The University of Nebraska Medical Center calls Omaha home. Former President Gerald Ford was born here. Father Flannigan's famed Boys' Town, founded in 1917 for troubled and homeless boys (and girls since 1979), is located just outside of town. Omaha hosts the annual College World Series and the Ak-Sar-Ben (Nebraska spelled backwards) horse races and other events. The Henry Doorly Zoo with 600 species, has the world's largest indoor rainforest and largest salt water acquarium between Chicago & San Francisco.

Activities: The many sights and activities in Omaha include: The Union Pacific Collection at the Durham Western Heritage Museum, Children's Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Henry Doorly Zoo, largest geodesic dome, IMAX theater, President Ford birth place, Boystown, Old Market, and the Strategic Air Command Museum in neighboring Bellevue.