Bedford Place

In the late 19th and early 20th century, historic north Omaha neighborhoods near 30th Street were built as suburban developments for middle-class white homeowners. However, in Bedford Place, two developers intentionally broke Omaha’s color line and changed the story of its late 20th-century development. Bedford Place grew slowly from 1900 to about 1930, with schools and churches opening alongside a horseracing track and a nearby amateur league baseball field. By the 1950s, a huge push for new housing was felt in Omaha as WWII veterans moved into the area for plentiful jobs. As white veterans gravitated toward newer communities being built west of north Omaha, it created an unusual opportunity to offer affordable, existing and well-built homes to Black veterans in Bedford Place. As a handful of local realtors began to market Bedford Place to these new homebuyers, businesses launched to serve the growing community including restaurants, stores, medical facilities and professional services.

From the 1950s to the present, like many urban American neighborhoods, Bedford Place has expanded and constricted as residents have faced waves of white flight, economic upheavals, property abandonment and urban renewal. Fortunately, many original homes, schools, churches and businesses still thrive. Today, the two-mile square neighborhood boasts nearly 100 historic homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s, including bungalows, American Foursquare, and one- and two-story cottages. You'll find three-bedroom American Foursquare homes from 1910 for about $140,00. Remodeled three-bedroom bungalows from the 1950s have recently sold for around $175,000. As Tina Sempeck, Realtor with eXp Realty boasts, “Bedford Place historic homes are popular with investors, preservationists and old home-lovers. In fact, when they come on the market they are often well-updated or fully-renovated, which delights buyers.”

Niche ranks Omaha Public Schools No. 1 out of 244 Most Diverse School Districts in Nebraska. They’re also ranked No. 4 out of 243 Best School Districts for Athletes in the state. Druid Hill Elementary has a C-minus rating from Niche and offers a wide range of opportunities including reading clubs, intramural basketball and instrumental music and voice. Monroe Middle cultivates civic pride and global awareness in its students. It has a strong athletic program, and it is rated C-minus by Niche. Omaha North Magnet High (also known as North High School) has a B-minus rating from Niche, and focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). It offers numerous clubs, activities, and athletics including football, volleyball, cross country, and softball. North High is one of many historic public schools in the Omaha area and still operates in its original building from 1924.

Bedford Place Park is a tiny pocket park on Pinkney Street, with a playground and open green space. Spaulding Park is right next door to Druid Hills Elementary and offers a basketball court and quiet green space. If fishing or tennis are your passions, nearby Adams Park features 60 acres that include basketball courts, a playground, tennis courts, and fishing and walking paths.

One of the most iconic businesses in Bedford Place is also the oldest Black-owned restaurant in Omaha. Founded in 1969, Time Out Foods has won numerous accolades, nationwide, for their fried chicken. Less than five minutes away on North 30th Street, you’ll find Cajun Kitchen in a tiny corner storefront. Don’t let their size fool you. They have plenty on the menu including smoked ribs to go, homemade cheesecakes and jambalaya.

Boutiques and family-owned clothing stores are a short drive for residents of Bedford Place. Citi Trends offers clothes and accessories for adults and kids, as well as home goods like bed and bath decor. Lifestyle by Femme Fatale is a unique bargain boutique offering women’s clothing in all sizes. They specialize in clothes that are trendy but also lasting in style.

It's a short drive to pick up groceries at ALDI on Sorensen Parkway, or at Camden Store on Browne Street. When you’re celebrating something special, or want a unique sweet treat, check out D&D Frozen Cakes. This “Daddy and Daughter (D&D)” business sells premium ice cream cakes including Cookies ‘n Cream and Strawberry Dream. It’s not to be missed.

Owning a historic home has its own rewards, but when it’s located near thriving schools, businesses and the heart of downtown Omaha, life can be pretty sweet, indeed.

Written By

Sarah Albiston

Photography Contributed By

Dylan Stowell

Video By

Tyler Belile