Last updated: September 8, 2022
Place
Park Avenue Apartment District
David Calease, NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
Located at the intersection of Leavenworth Street and Park Avenue
Significance:
Community Planning & Development; Transportation
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
MANAGED BY:
Private Property Owner
The Park Avenue Apartment District consists of the Barnard Apartments, Unitah Apartments, and two duplexes constructed between 1902 and 1916. The four properties are listed in the National Register of Historic Places as representative examples of residential buildings constructed along streetcar lines, an important aspect of the transportation history of Omaha.
In 1882 the popular Hanscom Park neighborhood was connected to Omaha’s growing downtown via a new streetcar line. The line became very popular and by 1900, this neighborhood was largely a scattered collection of single-family residences with open lots between many houses. The density increased dramatically with the addition of the Barnard Apartments – designed by Omaha architect John Latenser, Sr. – in 1902, the success of which led to construction of the Unitah Apartments in 1904. Both the overall population and density of the area increased, starting a cycle of construction and rising population. The popularity of these two buildings and the streetcar line spurred growth leading to the construction of a wide variety of multi-family dwelling types and a few commercial buildings to support the larger population base. During this growth cycle, the Barnard and Unitah Apartments were sold and the new owner constructed two duplexes south of the Barnard Apartments. The new owner renamed the Barnard as the Portland and referred to the duplexes as the Portland Annex. He renamed the Unitah, the Cantebury Square Apartments. Buildings in the Park Avenue Apartment District exemplify the expansion of residential areas away from downtown Omaha and into suburbs.
The Park Avenue Apartment District consists of private residences which can be viewed from the public right-of-way.
In 1882 the popular Hanscom Park neighborhood was connected to Omaha’s growing downtown via a new streetcar line. The line became very popular and by 1900, this neighborhood was largely a scattered collection of single-family residences with open lots between many houses. The density increased dramatically with the addition of the Barnard Apartments – designed by Omaha architect John Latenser, Sr. – in 1902, the success of which led to construction of the Unitah Apartments in 1904. Both the overall population and density of the area increased, starting a cycle of construction and rising population. The popularity of these two buildings and the streetcar line spurred growth leading to the construction of a wide variety of multi-family dwelling types and a few commercial buildings to support the larger population base. During this growth cycle, the Barnard and Unitah Apartments were sold and the new owner constructed two duplexes south of the Barnard Apartments. The new owner renamed the Barnard as the Portland and referred to the duplexes as the Portland Annex. He renamed the Unitah, the Cantebury Square Apartments. Buildings in the Park Avenue Apartment District exemplify the expansion of residential areas away from downtown Omaha and into suburbs.
The Park Avenue Apartment District consists of private residences which can be viewed from the public right-of-way.