Omaha Information

Omaha Nebraska is home to a population of over 400,000 people in the city limits, and has a population of over 800,000 within the extended metropolitan area. More information about Omaha and other cities can be found throughout this site.

Photo of Omaha Nebraska by Ron Reiring

Railroads
The arrival of the transcontinental railroad put the cattle town of Omaha on the map.  When the Union Pacific railway began construction it began in Omaha, laying the foundation for the city to become the major commercial hub in the state of Nebraska.

As a result of the railways, meat packing plants soon thrived in the heart of Omaha’s cattle country, from there a rich tradition was born as Nebraska marked its place as a major transport and supply center and central hub for the transit system which was being carved across the nation.

City of Omaha
The city of Omaha soon carved out a rich cultural tradition and has since evolved into a thriving and modern city.   Omaha is rich with the arts and western lore.  These traditions were so entrenched by the 1950s that the city was described as being filled with gambling dens, and was reputed to be one of the great underground gambling centers in the United States.

The cowboy lifestyle had a firm root in the city, which was built on proceeds from cattle.  As the wild west took on a life of its own, an image was carved out.   The memorable nature of those times later gave name, if not birth to, a popular card game known as Omaha poker.

While Omaha poker did apparently not begin in the city of Omaha, it did carve out images of the gambler cowboy, the shotgun riding coachman and the wild west rustler.   While the residents of the city who were inclined towards various vices probably were more likely to play a game of stud poker or blackjack, the reputation clearly followed the city.  With the rising popularity of tournament Omaha poker, it is unlikely that the city will shake that reputation anytime soon.

In modern day times Omaha is home to many cultural attractions and has a rich tradition of actors born there.  The most famous of whom is probably Marlon Brando, although Nick Nolte, Henry Fonda, and Fred Astaire also claim roots in the city.

In the mid twentieth century, the town boomed as a major industrial center, and became further entrenched as a regional population center.   Today it still continues to be a transit center with over 4 million people taking flights through Eppley airport.   The future of the city may be unknown, but the past is

Omaha Business

Warren Buffet's company, Berkshire Hathaway is based in Omaha Nebraska, as are the main offices of Con-Agra, a major agricultural concern, and the Union Pacific Railroad still calls the city home.

Other business,  industries and commercial assets are highly active in the city.  Omaha is also home to a number of sports teams