Scriptown
Encyclopedia
Scriptown was the name of the first subdivision in the history of Omaha
, which at the time was located in Nebraska Territory
. It was called "Scriptown" because scrip
was used as payment, similar to how a company would pay employees when regular money was unavailable. Its original survey placed the location from the Missouri River
to North 30th Street, Cuming to Fort Street.
Colonel Lorin Miller
, later mayor of Omaha, surveyed Scriptown in the spring and summer of 1855. It was bound by 16th street on the east, 24th on the west and Cuming Street on the south to Fort Street on the north.
The area was developed quickly, and included a number of prominent homes. Neighborhoods eventually formed from Scriptown included Gifford Park
, Kountze Place
, Prospect Hill, Saratoga and the Near North Side
. These areas were incorporated into the city of Omaha in 1877.
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, which at the time was located in Nebraska Territory
Nebraska Territory
The Territory of Nebraska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until March 1, 1867, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska Territory was created by the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854...
. It was called "Scriptown" because scrip
Scrip
Scrip is an American term for any substitute for currency which is not legal tender and is often a form of credit. Scrips were created as company payment of employees and also as a means of payment in times where regular money is unavailable, such as remote coal towns, military bases, ships on long...
was used as payment, similar to how a company would pay employees when regular money was unavailable. Its original survey placed the location from the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
to North 30th Street, Cuming to Fort Street.
About
The Omaha Land Company, made of businessmen including representatives from the Lone Tree Ferry Company that founded Omaha City, "secured" land around the city of Omaha in late 1854. This was quickly subdivided and lots were quickly distributed to persuade influential legislators who supported Omaha City becoming the territorial capitol.Colonel Lorin Miller
Lorin Miller
Lorin Miller was a pioneer mayor of Omaha, Nebraska. He served as the Mayor from 1865 to 1867. Miller arrived in Omaha on October 19, 1854 and began surveying immediately. He was responsible for surveying Jeffrey's addition, as well as the notorious Scriptown. Prominent Omaha leader George L....
, later mayor of Omaha, surveyed Scriptown in the spring and summer of 1855. It was bound by 16th street on the east, 24th on the west and Cuming Street on the south to Fort Street on the north.
The area was developed quickly, and included a number of prominent homes. Neighborhoods eventually formed from Scriptown included Gifford Park
Gifford Park
Gifford Park is a historic neighborhood in midtown Omaha, Nebraska. It is roughly bounded by the North Freeway on the east, North 38th Street on the west, Dodge Street on the south and Cuming Street on the north. Its namesake park was added to the City parks network in 1916...
, Kountze Place
Kountze Place
The Kountze Place neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska is a historically significant community on the city's north end. Today the neighborhood is home to several buildings and homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located between North 16th Avenue on the east to North 30th...
, Prospect Hill, Saratoga and the Near North Side
Near North Side (Omaha, Nebraska)
The Near North Side of Omaha, Nebraska is the neighborhood immediately north of downtown. It forms the nucleus of the city's African-American community, and its name is often synonymous with the entire North Omaha area...
. These areas were incorporated into the city of Omaha in 1877.
