Click here for information on Bellevue and Papillion
Lewis and Clark knew it would be just right when they explored the territory in the early 1800s. Because of the location and terrain, they knew this Missouri River site would make a perfect trading area. Half a century later, the Union Pacific Railroad put its home base in Omaha where it continues today. Omaha's central location, the navigable Missouri River, and Interstate 80 and 29 offer inexpensive transportation to residents and businesses. Either coast is only a few hours away by jet.
'Crossraods of the Nation' and 'Gateway to the West' -- metropolitan Omaha is home to nearly a million people and is the largest city within the area of Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, and Kansas City. It is situated ideally for the rapidly expanding telecommunications industry. The city has the most extensive wide-area telephone service (WATS) network in the world.
Being located in the center of the Midwest, Omaha is an ideal city for business meetings and professional conferences. Intercity travel is convenient throughout the metropolitan area. Business districts, schools, churches, recreational areas and wide-open spaces are easily accessible. The business community, local Chamber of Commerce, and the State Legislature all work together to encourage the establishment and growth of new business and industry.
There is always something to do or see in Omaha. Culturally, the Omaha Symphony, Opera Omaha, Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha Community Playhouse, Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center, and several dinner theaters offer audiences regularly scheduled performances. The Qwest Center presents nationally and internationally recognized entertainers.
The Joslyn Art Museum, Witherspoon Concert Hall, Strategic Air and Space Museum, Durham Western Heritage Museum, Omaha Children's Museum, Girls and Boys Town, Henry Dorly Zoo, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Mormon Winter Quarters, Malcolm X's birth site, and former President Ford's birth site provide some of the many family activities and historicalk attractions. Septemberfest, River City Roundup, Winterfest, various ethnic festivals and baseball's College World Series are among the most popular annual events.
The metropolitan area contains many parks, golf courses, pools, lakes, and indoor/outdoor recreational facilities. Omaha, the softball capital of the world, has hundreds of teams for all ages. In addition, there are semi-professional and professional teams available to provide entertainment: Omaha Royals and Omaha Beef.
Metropolitan area school districts provide high quality primary, secondary, and adult education programs -- Public and Private Schools, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Creighton University, College of St. Mary, Bellevue University, and Metropolitan Technical Community College offer diversified opportunities for higher education. Omaha is known nationally for its state-of-the-art medical facilities providing excellent health care, research and training.
Omaha provides dining excellence. Whether your choice is steak, seafood, gourmet or ethnic, there is an abundance of outstanding restaurants. Nebraska steaks are known to be the finest in the world!
Omaha's employment rate remains relatively stable. The cost of living is lower in Omaha than in cities of similar size. It's economic future is very promising. It is a growing city with infinite potential; due in part to its economic diversification. Historically, real estate costs have been lower in Omaha than in other large cities. It is not uncommon to hear former Omahans talk about the high cost of housing in other parts of the country. Statistically, Omaha ranks among the Top 25 most affordable cities in the nation. Click on "Our Featured Homes" to see our listings and other homes for sale throughout the city.
Bellevue
The City of Bellevue began as a fur post established by the Missouri Fur Company in 1822 to serve as a central trading point with local Omaha, Otoe, and Pawnee tribes. It received its name from early trappers who were impressed with the beauty of the view overlooking the Missouri River. Ideally situated on the Missouri River with access to the Platte valley, it became a hub for transfer of manufactured goods from the East and furs from the West. From the 1830s until the 1850s, Bellevue prospered. With the decline of the fur trade, Bellevue changed during the decade of the 1850s. With the opening of eastern Nebraska to settlement in 1854, Bellevue experienced a building boom, with the erection of the First Presbyterian Church, a bank, a hotel, and dozens of private homes.
The boom was short-lived, however. The expansion had been built on the premise that the city was to be selected as the territorial capital. As the oldest and most widely known settlement in the territory, it seemed a logical choice. In fact, the territorial governor , Francis Burt, had already moved into a residence in Bellevue. Shortly after he arrived, the new governor died. His replacement, T.B. Cuming, selected a new upstart community as the territorial capital -Omaha.
The second half of the century witnessed Bellevue's slip into relative obscurity. While Omaha grew from a few hundred in population in 1855 to 104,000 in 1890, Bellevue's numbers continued to slide until the city was near extinction. In 1876, the county seat was transferred to Papillion, 10 miles to the west. In the 1880s, Bellevue College was established. In the 1890s, an offer of inexpensive land brought Fort Crook to the Bellevue area. Both organizations provided an insurance against extinction. It would be the fort, however, that would cause the biggest impetus to Bellevue's population in the future.
From the 1880s to 1940, Bellevue's population grew only minimally, from around 500 to not more than 1200 in 1940. The small growth was primarily due to the improved transportation access to Omaha, which allowed for easier commuting.
It was Fort Crook, later named Offutt Air Force Base, that spurred Bellevue's largest growth. When Offutt became home to the huge Martin bomber plant during World War II and then , shortly after the war, housed the headquarters of the Strategic Air Command, thousands of workers, both civilian and military, made Bellevue their home. Bellevue's population grew from less than 1200 in 1940, to almost 4000 in 1950 and then almost 9000 ten years later. A decade later, Bellevue's population again more than doubled, to over 20,000.
Today, Bellevue's growth is primarily due to an expanding economy in the civilian sector. With the opening of the Kennedy Freeway, a limited access highway linked to the interstate system, a new building boom is in progress. Commercial, industrial, and residential construction are all expanding. Bellevue has finally fulfilled the promise that its founders saw nearly two centuries ago.
More information:
Bellevue Public Schools
The Bellevue Leader (local newspaper)
Papillion
Papillion is a vibrant community nestled quietly south of the City of Omaha. Located in the center of Sarpy County, Papillion lies 20 minutes from Interstate 80 and I-29, and is a short 25-minute trip to Omaha's Eppley Airport.
The City of Papillion (French, for the word butterfly) has been rich in its existence since it was founded in 1870. Legend has it that Frenchmen visited the broad valley where Papillion is now located, finding it overgrown with luxuriant grasses and multitudes of wild flowers. Swarms of butterflies flitted about in the sunlight and enthralled by the beautiful sight, once member exclaimed, "Papillion!"
Today, Papillion continues to be rich in life and culture. Our healthy economic climate, lowest crime rate in the state, productive work force, cultural diversity and community spirit make Papillion truly a special place for residents and visitors alike. No matter what your goal-findng a career, raising a family, discovering a new way of life or simply enjoying nature's pleasures, Papillion offers outstanding opportunities.
More information:
City of Papillion
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