Landscapes As Material Culture

Hidden Gems & Quite Charm   

Written and photographed by Sarah Tracey

 I chose to focus my analysis on Midtown Omaha, particularly on the commercial and residential developments surrounding one of Omaha's original thoroughfares, Leavenworth Street.  My analysis begins with a birds eye perspective of the landscape, Midtown Omaha; and descends to a street level view of first, the commercial, and then the residential neighborhood landscapes surrounding this historic street.

[Aerial Map from Google]

 From the aerial view one can see that Midtown Omaha was plotted with a conventional grid layout.  The map is covered with blocks of land that are separated by intersecting streets.  Each street on the aerial map is represented by varying line weights and proximities to one another.  It is easy to assume that the large thick white lines represent main roads of transportation while the others represent secondary routes, back roads, alleys, walking paths, and sidewalks.  The larger concrete blocks are parking lots; while the sections of green land are assumed to be undeveloped; in addition to the architectural landscapes of golf courses, outdoor, and recreational spaces.  Leavenworth Street which ran west from downtown Omaha, served as one of the cities original streetcar routes.  The streetcar lines played a vital role in the expansion of Omaha by allowing downtown workers to live farther away from the city center.  Even at this low level of magnification a separation between commercial and residential blocks of land was apparent.  Indications of a commercial landscape which was structured along a streetcar route, as well as, the pedestrian-friendly residential landscape also existed.

 After a closer look at the streets one will quickly notice the absence of parking space between the commercial storefronts and the main street.  Setbacks between houses are small (nonexistent when compared to the larger lots in modern suburbia), and the disappearance of the front yard driveway is also evident at this low level of magnification.  While the aerial view is helpful in simplifying the area and putting it into place within its larger geographical context (the city of Omaha), it does not raise more than mild speculation.   As we descend to the street level, one can take a closer look and really begin to analyze the landscape.

  [The area lost a long time anchor when Wohlner's G rocery (middle, left) moved to a bigger location at Aksarben Village near 67th and Center a few years ago.  Gerda Bailey's bakery (bottom) has thrived at the corner of 52nd and Leavenworth for 32 years.]

A street level view will allow for a more focused view of both the residential and commercial landscapes.  Starting with the later; ratio of commercial building to parking lots in this area lead one to believe that the original buildings were torn down and converted into parking lots in the years following the electric streetcar.  It is easy to assume that when this commercial district was planned there was no need for storefront parking, so, many of the these buildings have fronts that are flush with the sidewalks in front and parking was later added to the space behind the building.    Many of the original one and two story commercial properties are still standing today but only a few are still occupied by small businesses.  Most of these shops are vacant or have been closed down with "for lease" signs hanging in their windows; some of the windows are so dark with dirt and grime that one could hardly imagine what would jump out if you were to step inside the front door.     

 On the other hand, there seems to be many small shops, grocery stores, drugstores, and small retail shops that are thriving.  These Mom and Pop shops are the "hidden gems" for the neighborhood locals; they have withstood the test of time and continue to represent the charm and character of their predecessors.   Furthermore, it is clear that over the years many of these shops have endured "exterior facelifts"; changes that have been made to increase the aesthetic value of the stores from the street level; new windows and doors have been implemented as well.  In some cases, they have completely modernized the storefront.  Sadly enough, even with impeccable upkeep, the sidewalks and streets in front of these shops are in a dilapidated state.  The concrete looks as though it has been through many tough winters with little if any upkeep; but, if you take a right turn down any side street into the Dundee area neighborhood, you will likely see a dramatic change in the architectural landscape.

  [Photographs taken in front of my Grandma's house on 52nd and Howard Street  showing the beautiful tree-lined streets of the Dundee neighborhood. ]

[Photographs of the Dundee neighborhood flower boxes hanging from a street light and then again from one of their cast iron streetlights.] 

 The Dundee neighborhood is one of Omaha's first suburban developments. Rows and rows of trees line the streets creating canopies of shade as one walks down the narrow, well-kept sidewalks.  There is a unique look to this neighborhood, a quiet charm that fills the streets.  Overflowing flower boxes hang from distinctive cast iron streetlights. The plots of land range in size but each one seems to have a unique pathway that leads you from the sidewalk to the front door.  There are no newly built homes within sight.  Many of the homes have undergone massive renovation within their lifetime.  This could be an addition to the house or a detached garage in back. It seems as though the residences of the Dundee neighborhood, as a whole, have taken pride in retaining the physical integrity of their homes.  Because the neighborhood development started around the streetcar lines, the homes on the outer edge of the neighborhood, the ones that were developed directly on the lines are 10-20 years older then those on the inner streets, and even then, no two homes are remotely similar in appearance of form or function.  After WWI, Omaha experienced a housing shortage.  Lots were opened up for apartments, duplexes; also there were little or no restrictions placed on style and size of the house.  As a result, while walking through the streets in the Dundee neighborhood one will find a healthy mixture of architectural styles that range from the large urban four-square style residences, to tiny Tudor Revivals. Also one may find one-and-one-half story Craftsman-style bungalows, in addition to the simple and traditional Colonial Revival style residences, and everything in between.  

[September 13, 2010]