Florence, Nebraska

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Florence is a historic neighborhood in North Omaha, Nebraska. It began as a town in 1854, founded by James C. Mitchell and named after his friend Florence Kilbourn. Before that, the nearby Mormon settlement of Winter Quarters operated from 1846 to 1848, with a mayor, city council, police, fire guards, and a town square. The Mormon pioneers are buried in the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery, one of Nebraska’s oldest cemeteries.

Florence grew quickly as a trading and outfitting hub for Mormon migrants and other travelers heading west along the Great Platte River Road. The Nebraska Territory Legislature made Florence a town in 1855 and then a city in 1857. It developed streets, a city hall, parks, and many shops and services. The town even tried to become the state capital in the 1850s, but Omaha won the bid.

From the 1860s to the early 1900s, Florence remained a busy stopover with hotels, banks, restaurants, and stores. By the 1910s, finances were tight, and in 1917 Florence was annexed by the City of Omaha, ceasing to be an independent city. Its government ended, but the name and some landmarks live on in the North Omaha area.

Today, reminders of Florence’s past line the neighborhood. The Florence Depot, built in 1887, was moved in 1967 to become a history museum. The Florence Water Works, built in 1880 with a tall five-story tower, was restored in the 2010s. Other historic sites include the Bank of Florence (1856), the Florence Firehouse (1888), Keirle House (1905), and Notre Dame Academy (1924). Nearby early river sites like Fort Lisa and Cabanne’s Trading Post reflect Florence’s long history along the Missouri River.