Old Market (Omaha, Nebraska)

Did You Know?

• The Old Market borders the former site of the Jobbers Canyon Historic District.
• A walking tour of historic buildings is available from the Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
• The district is also adjacent to the Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District and the Warehouses in Omaha MPS.

History

The Old Market developed in the late 1800s as a center for wholesale and other jobs, attracting manufacturing and printing companies. By the 1960s, the district faced vacancy issues as venues west of it drew people away. Buildings were later converted into apartments and restaurants, and by 1970 the area had become an entertainment district. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 23, 1979, and designated as an Omaha Landmark on January 22, 1985. In 1988, a block was demolished to build 1200 Landmark Center; the Dewey and Stone Building had its facade preserved. On January 9, 2016, a large explosion at M's Pub caused a fire that destroyed the 100-year-old building. Sub-zero temperatures led to freezing of water used in firefighting. Several people were injured, but there were no fatalities.

Historic buildings

Buildings in the Old Market served various purposes and were built in different eras, originally for wholesale and retail grocery sales. The district was preceded by the Market House in Omaha's Jefferson Square. Notable buildings include the P. E. Iler Block, a six-story warehouse built in 1901 and rehabilitated in 1990 into retail and office space. The Windsor Hotel, a three-story brick building from 1885, was converted to rental residential and commercial space in 1985.

The Broatch Building was built in 1880 and expanded in 1887. The McClure-Smith Building, a two-story brick structure built around 1878 as a steam bakery, was rehabilitated in 1985. The A. I. Root Building, a three-story brick office building from 1904, was doubled in size in 1909 and converted to retail and residential spaces in 1993. The Morse-Coe Shoe Company, a five-story warehouse from 1894, became the Mayfield Apartments after a 2002 rehabilitation.

The George H. Lee Building was built in 1903 as warehouse and office space. Most buildings are brick, with brick, cobblestone, and asphalt streets, and many feature cast-iron fronts, metal cornices, stone trim, and metal sidewalk coverings.