Early Omaha: Gateway to the West
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Looking southeast from the roof of the Transfer Depot & Hotel in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Two large rail sheds and miles of water-covered tracks can be seen.

After the 1881 flood, the U.S. Government invested huge dollar amounts in improvements along the Missouri River north of Omaha. Union Pacific and American Smelting Works raised the level of the ground on which their buildings were located. Ground levels were raised for 2 miles upstream from the smelting works because of increased land values. Citizens felt that these improvements would protect them from any future floods.

Becker, Harold. “Omaha: A Century in Photos – Lumber Was Lower and Water Was Higher.” Omaha Sun Newspaper, 23 June 1966.

Becker, Harold. “History in Photos - River 5 Miles Wide in 1881.” Omaha Sun Newspaper, 8 April 1981.

Savage, James. History of the City of Omaha and South Omaha. Chicago: Munsell & Company, 1894. Page 146.

Wakeley, Arthur. Omaha: The Gate City. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1917. Page 448.