Early Omaha: Gateway to the West
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One of the most badly damaged areas was the Bemis Park neighborhood. Palatial mansions were reduced to matchsticks. The Conservatory on the Joslyn Castle grounds ceased to exist. The Sacred Heart Convent immediately to the south of Bemis Park suffered heavy damage on its north side which faced this area.

The building was so badly damaged it was feared it had to be torn down. It was repaired however, and later renamed Duchesne Academy.

34th & Lincoln Blvd. was east of the convent. Residents salvaged what they could or searched for fuel to keep warm. Omaha suffered from its poorest citizens to its richest. 2800 homes were damaged or destroyed, 5 schools, 3 convents, 1 hospital and orphanage were also damaged. Eleven churches were wrecked. Street car, telegraph, telephone and railroad companies suffered millions of dollars in losses. Offers of financial assistance poured in on the only operating telegraph line which was owned by the Omaha Daily News. President Woodrow Wilson sent a message of sympathy and an offer of assistance. As other telegraph wires were repaired, many offers of financial aid arrived. Mayor James Dahlman initially refused donations but changed his policy due to strong public outcry. Omaha has endured many natural disasters. Few have caused so much property damage or loss of life. In an era before modern tornado warning systems, citizens nevertheless pulled together to help one another.

Becker, H. W. “Omaha: History in Photos.” Omaha World Herald, March 20, March 27, and May 29, 1975.

Driscoll, Charles & Omaha Daily News. Complete Story of Omaha’s Disastrous Tornado. Omaha: Mogy Publishing Co., 1913.