Omaha, Texas. (original) (raw)

Omaha, Texas - Once a railroad town
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, May 2012

History in a Pecan Shell

Not named after the city in Nebraska, Omaha had its name drawn from a hat in 1886. Citizens had tired of the towns previous name of Morristown. The eight or so contributors submitted names from their former state of Alabama and Omaha came up the winner.

The town had a healthy population of 450 in 1890 and it remains a vibrant community.

Historical Marker:

OMAHA

On seidicum line, the old Bowie-Red River counties boundary surveyed in 1840. Thompson Morris laid out "Morristown" in 1880, but post office was "Gravett." To arbitrate, a drawing from a hat suggested "Omaha," for old home of a settler from Alabama. Town is now a shipping center for plants and farm products.
1966

Historical Marker - 110 McLean Avenue

Site of Omaha School

Land was first purchased for a public school in Omaha in 1892 and a large wooden building near the railroad tracks soon housed three teachers and 165 students. The community formed an independent school district in 1905 and built a new two-story brick structure the following year. It was enlarged as necessary, including the addition of a rock gymnasium erected by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) between 1938 and 1940. After a tornado damaged the property in 1950, the school merged with nearby Naples at the urging of a wealthy oilman and rancher who promised financial backing for the consolidated district. The WPA gym was renovated for commercial use by its new owner.
(1999)
Incise on back: Glenda Brown Scarborough Sandra Smith Forsyth

Omaha, Texas Landmarks/Attractions

Road grader/playground equipment
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, May 2012

Omaha, Texas Forum

• Subject: Descendant's of Quanah Parker
  I have been to Omaha and Palestine, Texas in search of confirmation to no avail. I have been told by family before their passing that my grandmother Nancy Louise Johnson, born July 17, 1921 in Omaha, Texas, was a direct descendant of Quanah Parker. All birth records from this time, were destroyed in a fire. Her parents were Oliver Vanner Johnson and Margaret Hayden. Margaret Hayden passed away when Nancy was just 2 years old.
  As the story goes, my grandmother, Nancy Louise Johnson, was sent to live with a Hispanic family until she was 15 and Oliver Johnson had remarried. She has a sister Rebecca Parker, who preceded her in death. I don't know her birth. It was never clear to anyone exactly how or if the connection is true. However, until the day she passed, my grandmother, Nancy Louise Johnson held the look of a Comanche.
  If there are any resources or information available that can help us make some kind of connection to our heritage, I would greatly appreciate. I am more concerned in validating our Native American heritage. But, as I mentioned, there are no birth records available (to my knowledge) that identify/confirm my grandmother's birth and the nationalities of her and her parents. Please and thank you in advance. - Sincerely, Jillian Hampton, Houston, Texas, July 24, 2017

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