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THE FIRST WOODMEN OF THE WORLD BUILDING

This is the first Woodmen of the World Building, located at 15th and Howard. It was built in 1885 and was originally known as the "Sheely Block," after its owner. The Woodmen organization took up residence in the building in 1890, moving from the Paxton Hotel. The Woodmen bought the building from Mr. Sheely in 1900, after which purchase it became known as the "Woodmen of the World Building." The Woodmen had their headquarters in this building until 1912, when they moved into the newly constructed (and much larger) second Woodmen of the World Building on the southeast corner of 14th and Farnam.

Larson, Leland A. and James R. Cook. The Woodmen Story: Our First 100 Years. Omaha: Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society, 1991.