Last updated: September 8, 2022
Place
Indian Hills
David Calease, NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
Bounded by Dodge Street and Pacific Street between 90th and 84th Streets
Significance:
Community Planning & Development; Architecture
Designation:
Eligible for National Register of Historic Places
MANAGED BY:
Private Property Owners
Indian Hills is a mid-century neighborhood bounded by Dodge Street and Pacific Street between 90th and 84th Streets. Formerly part of a golf course, the area is split up into three distinct sections, platted between 1947 and 1958: Broadmoor Heights, the Greenacres Addition, and Indian Hills Village. Broadmoor Heights and the Greenacres Addition were platted between 1948 and 1950, while Indian Hills Village was platted in 1957.
Indian Hills Village is particularly significant because it was owned by the Swanson brothers, Gilbert and W. Clarke, of Swanson TV dinners and broth fame. The neighborhood, advertised as an “ultra-modern community,” consists of single-family homes and various commercial and business campuses. Residences in the neighborhood are excellent examples of mid-century modern design. Architect Leo A. Daly and his company were tasked with planning responsibilities. Of note is Swanson Towers, a luxury apartment complex, designed by Stanley J. How and Associates. Development of the neighborhood also included two churches, the Carl A. Swanson Elementary School, and the now-demolished Indian Hills Theater which boasted a circular auditorium designed to show Cinerama format films.
The Indian Hills neighborhood represents suburban growth in Omaha. Post-World War II suburban home construction was spurred by multiple factors, including economic prosperity and a population shift as people moved from rural areas to urban centers. The rise of the automobile allowed for continued development further away from Omaha’s downtown business district. By the mid-twentieth century, families were able to purchase homes in quiet suburban districts while still retaining access to employment and recreational opportunities downtown. At the time of its development, Indian Hills was considered to be on the western edge of the city. Today Omaha extends well past this neighborhood due to continuous annexation and further growth.
Indian Hills contains private suburban homes located in West Omaha. Please respect private property while enjoying this neighborhood by car or on foot.
Indian Hills Village is particularly significant because it was owned by the Swanson brothers, Gilbert and W. Clarke, of Swanson TV dinners and broth fame. The neighborhood, advertised as an “ultra-modern community,” consists of single-family homes and various commercial and business campuses. Residences in the neighborhood are excellent examples of mid-century modern design. Architect Leo A. Daly and his company were tasked with planning responsibilities. Of note is Swanson Towers, a luxury apartment complex, designed by Stanley J. How and Associates. Development of the neighborhood also included two churches, the Carl A. Swanson Elementary School, and the now-demolished Indian Hills Theater which boasted a circular auditorium designed to show Cinerama format films.
The Indian Hills neighborhood represents suburban growth in Omaha. Post-World War II suburban home construction was spurred by multiple factors, including economic prosperity and a population shift as people moved from rural areas to urban centers. The rise of the automobile allowed for continued development further away from Omaha’s downtown business district. By the mid-twentieth century, families were able to purchase homes in quiet suburban districts while still retaining access to employment and recreational opportunities downtown. At the time of its development, Indian Hills was considered to be on the western edge of the city. Today Omaha extends well past this neighborhood due to continuous annexation and further growth.
Indian Hills contains private suburban homes located in West Omaha. Please respect private property while enjoying this neighborhood by car or on foot.