Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF Author: Ryan Roenfeld
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681063069
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 294

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Book Description
How did Omaha get its nickname, “The Gateway to the West” and where can you gawk at the footsteps of the first human to walk in space? Just scratch the surface of a city best known for Warren Buffett, college baseball, and a great zoo and find far more than meets the eye. And Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is just the book you’ll need to uncover all the stories of Nebraska’s lone metropolis. Omaha rises up out of the low broken bluffs along the west bank of the Missouri River and sprawls west across what was once the prairie grasslands of the Great Plains. The buffalo wallows have been replaced by a more urban mix of grit and gentrification, with tree-lined avenues, boulevards, and varied communities that hold on to their heritage for generations. There’s a giant fork in Little Italy and stories told in stone around what was the world’s largest livestock market. There’s an old blues song by Big Joe Williams about an Omaha intersection that’s now on the National Register, and Irish Nationalists erected a grand monument to the Fenian who invaded Canada twice. Anyone in Omaha can take a gander at Goose Hollow or visit a haven for herons, but now author and Omaha enthusiast Ryan Roenfeld takes you on your own behind-the-scenes tour of the Big O. With his book as your guide, you’ll discover a whole new side to the city that’s inspired him for years.

Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF Author: Ryan Roenfeld
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681063069
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 294

Get Book Here

Book Description
How did Omaha get its nickname, “The Gateway to the West” and where can you gawk at the footsteps of the first human to walk in space? Just scratch the surface of a city best known for Warren Buffett, college baseball, and a great zoo and find far more than meets the eye. And Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is just the book you’ll need to uncover all the stories of Nebraska’s lone metropolis. Omaha rises up out of the low broken bluffs along the west bank of the Missouri River and sprawls west across what was once the prairie grasslands of the Great Plains. The buffalo wallows have been replaced by a more urban mix of grit and gentrification, with tree-lined avenues, boulevards, and varied communities that hold on to their heritage for generations. There’s a giant fork in Little Italy and stories told in stone around what was the world’s largest livestock market. There’s an old blues song by Big Joe Williams about an Omaha intersection that’s now on the National Register, and Irish Nationalists erected a grand monument to the Fenian who invaded Canada twice. Anyone in Omaha can take a gander at Goose Hollow or visit a haven for herons, but now author and Omaha enthusiast Ryan Roenfeld takes you on your own behind-the-scenes tour of the Big O. With his book as your guide, you’ll discover a whole new side to the city that’s inspired him for years.

Secret America: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret America: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF Author: David Baugher
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681061236
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 327

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Book Description
Did you know ...that a hidden room exists behind Abraham Lincoln s head on Mt. Rushmore? ...that North Carolina was almost accidentally destroyed in a nuclear holocaust? ...that the Mason-Dixon Line had nothing to do with dividing north from south? ...that Major League Baseball once hosted a single game between three different teams? ...that there is a designated state highway in Michigan where cars are not allowed? ...that 21 people were once killed by a 15-foot wave of molasses that devasted a Boston neighborhood? ...that the National Security Agency has a gift shop with logoed merchandise? Whether you want to visit the New York grave where Uncle Sam is buried, stop by the future hometown of Star Trek's Captain Kirk in Iowa or see the room in California where the Internet was created, Secret America: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure is your ticket to some of the nation's least-known but most interesting spots. It is here where you can explore a historical marker dedicated to Barack and Michelle Obama's first kiss, find out how to acquire logoed merchandise at the National Security Agency's gift shop or examine why Case Western Reserve University has such an unusual name. Secret America is a look at the United States as you've never seen it before a tourist guide that gives you answers to the questions no tourist ever never knew they were supposed to ask. If you are tired of trying to enliven dull family roadtrips searching backroads for the World's Largest Ball of Twine, this is a handbook for truly interesting sites that can transform any cross-country adventure into a tour of the unique spots that make America the odd but fascinating nation that it is.

My Omaha Obsession

My Omaha Obsession PDF Author: Miss Cassette
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
ISBN: 1496207610
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 398

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Book Description
My Omaha Obsession takes the reader on an idiosyncratic tour through some of Omaha’s neighborhoods, buildings, architecture, and people—celebrating the city’s unusual and overlooked history

Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF Author: Roxie Yonkey
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681064375
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description
Among Kansas’s many wheat fields lie secrets and hidden stories of heroes and villains that even a fiction author could never devise. It wasn’t just Dorothy Gale of the Wizard of Oz who roamed The Wheat State. Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure will introduce you to a true cast of characters along with the little-known history of their inventions, deeds, and fame. Learn about the first indigenous woman to argue before the Supreme Court to save her ancestors’ graves from greedy developers. Discover how Frank Bellamy from Cherryvale wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, only to lose his claim to its authorship. Inventions abound in Kansas history such as Mentholatum which had a small role in ending World War II. From Capt. Emil Kapaun who is headed for sainthood to the fraudulent Goat Gland Doctor whose tonics started many entertainers’ careers, there’s no shortage of fascinating anecdotes to choose from. Add to that the countless examples of courageous captains, game-changing women, along with a few ne'er-do-wells whose biographies are chronicled here. Longtime Kansan Roxie Yonkey will unearth the hidden roads and secret passages to unearth the state’s buried treasures. Visitors and lifelong residents alike will find a surprise on every page.

Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF Author: Megan Bannister
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681064898
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
Some claim there’s nothing to see in flyover country. But take a closer look and you’ll discover that Iowa is home to more than just cornfields. In fact, across the Hawkeye State you’ll encounter hidden gems and secret spots abound. For instance, do you know where you can find the only remaining Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel in the world? What about how much the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball weighs? And why did the Los Angeles Lakers pay to build a basketball court in the small town of Carroll? Dive in and discover the state’s offbeat history and quirky places through Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Set course for larger-than-life attractions like Albert the Bull, the World’s Largest Strawberry, and the Grotto of the Redemption. Learn more about Grant Wood’s connection to Iowa by visiting his former home and studio, or travel through time and space to the place where StarTrek’s Captain James T. Kirk will be born in 2233. Even at some of the state’s most well-known places, you’ll discover hidden histories and unique stories that are not often shared. Local author and travel writer Megan Bannister uncovered some of the state’s wackiest attractions to guide your adventure around Iowa. Buckle up, fill up your tank and get ready for an offbeat road trip full of the state’s best kept secrets.

Secret Wichita: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Wichita: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF Author: Vanessa Whiteside
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681064936
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
Where in the city can you find an underground troll, an alley crawling with spiders, or a bar hidden behind a bookcase? Secret Wichita: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure takes you on an adventure to find the city’s interesting places and artifacts, unveiling the stories of people that make it unique. Discover a warehouse of military tanks and a room of ancient coffins. Find out where to conduct a paranormal investigation, follow the yellow brick road, and view an extensive collection of sewing machines. Locals probably remember Joyland amusement park, but do they know the story of the Giant Thriller rollercoaster once located on an island in the middle of the city? How about the electric guitar’s debut in Wichita? Or Pizza Hut’s sauce recipe written on a napkin? Learn the stories of people who left their mark, like mischief-maker Carry Nation, the original Buffalo Bill, and aviation pioneer Olive Ann Beech. Which man is responsible for establishing the city and naming it? Crack the spine of the book to find out. Wichita native Vanessa Whiteside is your storytelling guide to off-beat locations and tucked-away treasures. Whether you’re a Wichitan or a tourist exploring the city for the first time, you’ll get to know a different side of the Doo-Dah.

Secret Denver: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Denver: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF Author: Eric Peterson
Publisher: Reedy Press LLC
ISBN: 1681061058
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
here do the tunnels under the Colorado State Capitol go and why were they dug there in the first place? What is the backstory behind Tom’s Baby, the largest piece of gold ever unearthed in Colorado? Denver may be known worldwide as the Mile High City, but its elevation is just one item on a long list of anomalies. In Secret Denver: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure you’ll find many more quirks and mysteries to explore. Learn why Lakeside is one of the most historic amusement parks in the nation. Discover cemeteries repurposed as parks, streets once paved with radium, elves hiding in museum dioramas, and a seemingly endless parade of ghosts. Local journalists David Lewis and Eric Peterson tackle these conundrums and many others in the city they call home. With their combined experience traveling the trails less taken and the questions rarely asked, Secret Denver is bound to illuminate the city from an unexpected perspective.

Wicked Omaha

Wicked Omaha PDF Author: Ryan Roenfeld
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
ISBN: 1467137316
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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Book Description
In old Omaha, the scent of opium wafted through saloon doors, while prostitutes openly solicited customers. When the St. Elmo theater ran short of the usual entertainment, the residents could always fall back on robbing strangers. Tenants of the Burnt District squirmed under the extorting thumb of a furniture dealer dubbed the Man-Landlady. The games of chance and confidence and outright municipal graft all played a part in a wicked city where gambler Tom Dennison ran politics and Madam Anna Wilson drove philanthropy. Join Ryan Roenfeld for a stroll along the seamier side of Omaha's past.

Lost Restaurants of Omaha

Lost Restaurants of Omaha PDF Author: Kim Reiner
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
ISBN: 1439663122
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
Omaha is known for its beef, but the history of its most famous restaurants goes far beyond. The French Café was the place to go to celebrate. Piccolo Pete's, Mister C's and Bohemian Café helped shape neighborhoods in Little Italy, North Omaha and Little Bohemia. The tales of restaurateurs like the tragic Tolf Hanson; the ever-optimistic Ross Lorello; Anthony Oddo, once a resident at Boys Town; and Giuseppa Marcuzzo, a former bootlegger, also tell the story of the city. Restaurants played a prominent role as history unfolded in Omaha during prohibition, wartime rations, the fight for equal rights and westward expansion. Author Kim Reiner details the fascinating history behind Omaha's classic eateries.

Lost Omaha

Lost Omaha PDF Author: Janet R. Daly Bednarek
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
ISBN: 1467119849
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Book Description
The landmarks of Omaha's past reveal a history of industry, innovation and change. The Hotel Fontenelle, the Omaha Athletic Club and the Medical Arts Building disappeared in the wake of changes remaking downtown after World War II. Jobbers Canyon, a vital part of the city's wholesale district, was sacrificed to ConAgra's headquarters. Peony Park closed as suburban sprawl prevented its expansion, and changing leisure patterns took residents farther away for their amusement park experience. The stockyards finally closed in 1999, ending a long chapter in Omaha's history. Author and historian Janet R. Daly Bednarek charts the legacy of Omaha's lost history through its landmarks.