OMAHA, Nebraska - At the turn of the century, Omaha was more than ready to catch a ride on the booming automobile industry. By 1912, Nebraska ranked 11th in the nation for automobiles on the road with many vehicles purchased in the Auto Row District. History Nebraska is pleased to announce the Omaha Auto Row Historic District has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places because it represents the birth of automotive culture in Nebraska.
The Auto Row Historic District is comprised of 33 contributing resources, seven previously listed properties, and five non-contributing resources. The construction of most of the buildings occurred between 1910 and 1920, the years when the auto industry in Omaha was booming. The district roughly consists of five square blocks primarily along Farnam and Harney Streets from approximately South 24th Avenue to South 28th Street. These buildings used to house auto-dealerships, showrooms, repair shops, accessory stores, service stations, garages, as well as apartment buildings.
David Calease of the History Nebraska Preservation Office says the district is important for two reasons. “First, it is always great to document and recognize the historical significance of a collection of buildings. Auto Row, along Farnam Street in Omaha, was a major commercial area in the early twentieth century, obviously heavily involved with the automobile industry. And, second, this designation is also key to this area’s future. Today, it is known as Farnam Hill, and the historic properties within the district can take advantage of historic tax incentives to appropriately rehabilitate their buildings.”
With a prime location just five blocks west of downtown and a wealth of historic treasures, the Auto Row District is poised for a renaissance. Its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places will only encourage further development.