Last updated: September 8, 2022
Place
Omaha Auto Row Historic District
David Calease, NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
Centered along Farnam and Harney Streets, between South 24th Avenue and South 28th Street
Significance:
Architecture; Commerce; Community Planning & Development
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places
MANAGED BY:
Private Property Owners
The Omaha Auto Row Historic District represents the core of the historic development of automotive culture in the city, approximately five blocks west of Omaha’s downtown core. The Lincoln Highway passed through the district along Farnam Street which, along with Harney Street, represent the main east/west corridors in the district. The district is significant to the development of the automotive industry in Omaha, developing in support of the automotive industry as a live/work community.
As cars were mass produced, communities across the country tended to lump their dealerships, repair shops, garages, and supply stores together in areas called Automobile Row. Automobile Rows were supported by car companies as early as 1900 as they endeavored to create districts where cars could be sold and repaired in a conveniently packaged shopping experience. Major dealerships with elaborate show rooms and auto accessory stores were constructed along Farnam as the main throughway in the district. Along Harney Street several smaller scale, simpler, and less ornamented service garages and accessory shops were constructed. primarily housing independent garages and service stations, auto accessory stores, and other support businesses, including grocers and restaurants/bars.
The built environment retains two-to-four story brick commercial buildings which served as automobile dealers, showrooms, repair shops, accessory stores, garages, and service stations. Other support businesses like restaurants and bars were scattered throughout the district. Multiple brick multi-story apartment buildings within the district provided residential space for many automotive employees.
The district includes four auto-related properties listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places – the Drummond Motor Company Building, Firestone Tire and Rubber Building, Hupmobile Building, and Peerless Motor Company Building – along with two previously listed residential units – the Undine Apartments the Moyer Row Houses.
The district is best experienced via the public-right-of-way, but within the district there are a number of historic properties have been rehabilitated to house new business ventures.
The National Register nomination for this property is not yet digitized but can be requested from the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office.
As cars were mass produced, communities across the country tended to lump their dealerships, repair shops, garages, and supply stores together in areas called Automobile Row. Automobile Rows were supported by car companies as early as 1900 as they endeavored to create districts where cars could be sold and repaired in a conveniently packaged shopping experience. Major dealerships with elaborate show rooms and auto accessory stores were constructed along Farnam as the main throughway in the district. Along Harney Street several smaller scale, simpler, and less ornamented service garages and accessory shops were constructed. primarily housing independent garages and service stations, auto accessory stores, and other support businesses, including grocers and restaurants/bars.
The built environment retains two-to-four story brick commercial buildings which served as automobile dealers, showrooms, repair shops, accessory stores, garages, and service stations. Other support businesses like restaurants and bars were scattered throughout the district. Multiple brick multi-story apartment buildings within the district provided residential space for many automotive employees.
The district includes four auto-related properties listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places – the Drummond Motor Company Building, Firestone Tire and Rubber Building, Hupmobile Building, and Peerless Motor Company Building – along with two previously listed residential units – the Undine Apartments the Moyer Row Houses.
The district is best experienced via the public-right-of-way, but within the district there are a number of historic properties have been rehabilitated to house new business ventures.
The National Register nomination for this property is not yet digitized but can be requested from the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office.