Omaha High school stands surrounded by trees and an expansive lawn in this 9" x 7 3/4" black and white photograph. The school is a four-story brick building with a central clock tower. Two entrances to the building are visible, with steps leading up to each of them. The building has two visible chimneys and a flag flying over one wing. (The flag appears to have been added to the photograph.)
Omaha Public School Archive Collection / Educational Research Library
Local Accession/Call Number
Archive Files: Omaha High School File
Historical Notes
Built on the site of the old Territorial Capitol Building at 20th and Dodge Streets, Omaha High School was completed at a cost of $250,000 and opened in September of 1872. Located on a hilltop, with the clock tower rising 390 feet above the Missouri River, the school could be seen from anywhere in the city. Elementary students shared the building until 1891, when Central Grade School was opened across the street. in 1900, construction on the Central High School building began. Parts of the original Omaha High School were used while the new building was being constructed. It was finally torn down in 1910 as the last wings of the new building were being erected. On October 1, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant made the following short speech from the main east entrance of the school: "I am pleased to stand beneath the shadow of this building, which is so well calculated to prepare you for useful occupations and honorable stations in life." A large crowd of citizens and Omaha school children gathered on the east lawn in front of the school to see the President. Included in this group were eleven students (nine girls and two boys) who would be the first to graduate from Omaha High School in the spring of 1876.
