Early Omaha: Gateway to the West
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This classic photograph by E. L. Eaton looks eastward over several flooded lumberyards. The singularly appropriate sign “Lumber Lower Than Ever,” was on the west wall of the Hoagland Lumber Yard located at Douglas street and the U. P. tracks. The street going out into the river on the right is Farnam Street.

Owners managed to save most of the wood only by employing a large force of men working night and day. The large “V” to the south of Hoagland Lumber is a boom designed to trap floating boards. The boom succeeded in part, but the Missouri was clogged with ice, driftwood and flood debris. The loss of property and flood damage was considerable.