Summer 2015 - Minne Lusa Messenger

SPECIAL EDITION • 2015
A Publication of Minne Lusa Neighbors
M E S S E N G E R
Buy Where
Others Are
Buying
Come Out Today
Charles W.
Martin & Co.
Tyler 187
742 Omaha Nat’l. Bank Bldg.
Ambition to Own Home Was Making of Omaha Realtor
The early ambition to own a home and the nerve
to build a home was when he had a total capital of
only $75 was the making of Charles W. Martin,
prominent real estate man, builder and developer
of Omaha.
Those who know Mr. Martin best remember when
“Charley” carried papers for The Bee. When he
acquired $75 he had courage enough to buy a
lot and try to build a home. He bought a lot on
the installment plan. The lot cost $300. He got a
building and loan company to loan him $1,000
to build a house. The five-room bungalow he
built there cost $920, which, with the lot, made
the place cost $1,220. He put in the $1,000 he
borrowed of the building and loan and gave a note
for the rest of the money.
It made him feel a little shaky to owe so much
money, but he began diligently to save his money
and make monthly payments.
He didn’t have money enough to get the cellar
dug, so he built the house on the bare ground and
then put in his spare moments digging out the
cellar with a shovel. “I put in all my spare time,”
says Mr. Martin, “and carried all the dirt out in
a coal bucket. If anyone thinks I did not work at
that job, they should have followed my pace fro
a while.”
This humble little bungalow was at 5014 North
Twenty-third street. He lived here three years and
got a chance
to sell the
place. When
he had sold
and cleaned
up
his
mortgage he
found he was
$600 ahead.
This
gave
him a taste of
building and
he decided to
try it again. He built another house, lived in it a
while, and sold it at a profit. Then he insisted that
Byron Hastings of Hastings & Heyden give him a
job in the real estate and building business.
All articles appearing in this publication originally
appeared in the Omaha Bee, Omaha World Herald
and various flyers (various dates from 1917-1950s)
WHEN we bought the land that is now Minne Lusa (April, 1915), it
was a big cornfield of 126 acres, endowed by nature with beautiful
rolling contour, it needed but the magic wand of man to turn it in a few
days into a district of contented home owners.
We are proud of our achievement in Minne Lusa. We moved 250,000
yards of earth in order that the buyer would have a perfect grade, and
no filled lots.
We put in six miles of large water mains and 47 fire hydrants.
The Gas Company put in six miles of gas mains, and at once furnished
gas to all home builders.
We put in twelve miles of cement sidewalks and six miles of large
sewer mains.
We put in a beautiful ornamental lighting system, with four lights in
each block.
We planted 1700 shade trees, and built a club house, that is the pride
of its members and the city at large, and last, but not least, we have
built and sold 150 real homes, and have sold nearly 700 lots, and more
homes are being sold there this spring than in any other part of the city.
If you like to see things grow, to plant and harvest, to help yourself,
your neighbor and your country, to build up financial independence, to
breathe deep of our country air, to play golf or tennis, to be among birds
and flowers, to say “This is my own,” come out to Minne Lusa. See
for yourself why 500 others have bought there and are not paying rent.
Charles W. Martin
Ornamental Lighting
for Minne Lusa
BIG LAND DEAL IS BROUGHT TO CLOSE
C.W. Martin Buys Parker Tract North of Miller
Park, Paying $150,000 --- To Be Platted
The recording of the deed to the Parker tract of ground north of Miller
Park, conveyed to the Charles w. Martin Real Estate company, marks
the closing of another big deal in real estate. The transfer represents a
deal of $150,000. The negotiations were practically closed last August,
and the filing of the deed only marks the communication of the deal.
The tract, which contains 126 3-10, is to be platted into the city lots at
once and is soon to be placed on the market.
This tract, lying as it does along the north side of Miller park, extends
to the city limits on the north, and from Twenty-fourth to Thirtieth
street, on either side, east and west. It is one of the largest single tracts
ever platted in Omaha, It will be know as “Minne-Lusa” addition. The
Martin Company has arranged for a boulevard to cut through the center
of the tract, connecting with Miller Park boulevard on the south and
connection with Second street in Florence on the north. The plan is
that Second street in Florence shall be widened into a boulevard to be
created by Martin will follow in general Twenty-seventh street, and
will be know as “Minne-Lusa boulevard.”
The deed comes to Mr. Martin from the trustees of the estate of
James M. Parker, who acquired title to the land in 1860. Harry Tukey
conducted the negotiations for the transfer.
We have contracted for an ORNAMENTAL LIGHTHING SYSTEM for
all of Minne Lusa Addition, and profiting by the experience of others,
our system will be the very LATEST and BEST. There will be four lamp
posts in each block, all cables will be in conduits under ground; it will be
paid for by us----no assessment against the property.
We promised last year that we would make MINNE
LUSA not only the LARGEST, but the FINEST
residence district in Omaha, and we are making good.
Opportunity
Is knocking at YOUR door. Come out today and select your lot. We will
sell it to you on monthly payments, and REMEMBER, water, sewer, gas,
sidewalks, grading, seeding and LIGHTING SYSTEM all paid for, and
the prices only one-half of what you will pay in other districts.
$550, $600, $650, $700, $750, $850
Full Two Story Stucco House
Built by owner for his home. First floor, living room with
beamed ceiling, brick fireplace; built-in buffet in dining
room, den with French doors, all finished in oak, kitchen
finished in white enamel, built-in cabinet. Second floor
contains three roomy bedrooms with large closets in each,
linen closet and bath room, all finished in him. Whole
house newly decorated. This property is located in Minne
Lusa Addition and is a snap at $4,850.
Big-4 Realty Co.
Douglas 3486.
1015-16 W. O. W. Bldg.
TO ERECT $10,000 CLUB
HOUSE IN MINA LUSA
Prettiest Mile Club Members Met
and Planned Building Last Night.
A. D. Northrup Elected
President of Organization Near Miller Park.
Members of the newly organized and incorporated association to be
known as The Prettiest Mile club held a meeting last night at the home
of A. D. Northrup, 6215 Florence boulevard, and elected a board of
directors who are to look after the erection of a $10,000 club house in
the Minna Lusa addition, near Miller park. This club has recently been
incorporated for $15,000.
The board of directors and the officers elected last night were: A. D.
Northrup, president; M. Meyer vice president; F. N. High, treasurer;
Vincent C. Hascall, secretary; Fred M. Crane, Charles w. Martin, E. R.
Burke, A. M. Smith and C. S. Rainbolt.
The erection of the new club house will start in about a month. The
membership if the club will consist, in part, of those now affiliated with
the Prettiest Mile Golf club, which has been absorbed by the new club.
PRETTIEST MILE CLUB HOUSE
FORMALLY OPENED TO PUBLIC
Eight hundred persons gathered last night at the formal opening
of the Prettiest Mile club’s new $25,000 home at Twenty-seventh
and Redick Avenue. The complete facilities of the cub and its
architectural beauty won may encomiums.
Mayor Dahlman was among those whose fancy the club building
captured. He praised it as a “fitting monument to the progressive
spirit of North side citizens.” A reception followed Charles
Martin’s official presentation of the club’s keys to Mrs. F. M.
Crane, president of the organization. In her speech of acceptance,
Mrs. Crane paid tribute to her helpmates, Mrs. A. M. Smith,
secretary; Mrs. F. N. High, treasurer; Mrs. W. H. Flynn, manager.
A Hawaiian quintet strummed their ukuleles during the reception.
An orchestra furnished the music for the dancing which followed.
The club has two stories and a basement and incorporates
every modern appointment. Spacious porches on the first and
second floors, face Miller Park. A ballroom eighty feet long
and forty0seven fee wide is no the upper floor. Billiard Rooms,
bowling alleys, private lockers, shower baths, children’s play
room, women’s parlor, card rooms and library are among the
facilities. Tennis courts and golf links are adjacent.
Wanted – A burglar, by the Woman’s
Revolver corps of the Prettiest Mile club.
WOMEN FORM REVOLVER CLUB
TO GUARD HOMES
Fort Omaha Officer to Teach PrettiesMile Women in Shooting.
Prettiest Mile Club House, Which Was
Built by Women When the Men Gave Up
Wholesale Robberies and Attacks Cause
Women to Take Action.
Here’s a fair warning to all burglars and highwaymen to stay away
from the vicinity of the Prettiest Mile club. The women have
become so disgusted with the numerous robberies and holdups in
that locality, that they are organizing a club for the instruction in
revolver shooting.
Mrs. A. M. Smith is chairman of a committee whose members
extend invitations to all of the women of the vicinity to join
the club. She is an expert rifle shot and is determined that an
opportunity be given the women to learn how to successfully use
a revolver.
One of the most enthusiastic members of the committee is Mrs.
Ray Rainbolt, for whose home the burglars have taken a particular
fancy, having recently entered it twice and taken many valuable
articles.
Others who are in hearty support ar Mrs. A. L. Schantz, at whose
home, 6234 Florence boulevard, burglars were recently frightened
away before they succeeded in gaining an entrance. Mrs. William
Flynn, Mrs. Byron Hart, Mrs. Frank W. Pleging, Mrs. George
Adwers, and Mrs. Clarence J. Parrott.
Two meetings are to be held next week. The first will be held at the
Prettiest Mile club, probably on Monday afternoon. A Fort Omaha
officer will instruct the women.
“We are going to learn to shoot, and we’ll shoot to kill,” declared
Mrs. Ray Rainbolt, 6604 North Twenty-fourth street. “Just a week
ago Friday our house was visited by burglars. They took a suit
case full of clothing, my wrist watch and all the Victrola records.
Last August thieves broke in and stole a $200 diamond ring and
clothing valued at $100. We are going to be prepared and I for one
am going to devote all of my energy toward becoming an expert
markswoman.” Incidentally, the Rainbolts have purchased four
cars within the past year and a half and three of the machines have
been stolen by auto thieves.
Mrs. Schantz, 6234 Florence boulevard, is an enthusiastic member
of the club. “It is just a matter of self-protection on our part, and
no fad,” commented Mrs. Schantz. “There are no officers out here
and the numerous robberies and assaults make it necessary for us
to employ this means of gaining at least some protection.”
“An ounce of lead is an ounce of protection that any woman can
administer if she only knows how to handle firearms,” said Mrs.
Byron Hart, 6305 Florence boulevard.
“A committee of the women interested in the club will call on
Chief Eberstein, early in the week, for the purpose of securing
advice as to what kind of firearms would be best for them to utilize
for home protection. The chief’s advice will be sufficient for the
purchase of uniform weapons by the members.
“This will enable us to compete more evenly in our practice,”
said Mrs. Hart. “we are going into this thing in earnest and that’s
all there is to it.”
Two years ago a group of enterprising men out in
the north end of the city organized and incorporated
the Prettiest Mile club to boom that fine stretch of
land overlooking the Missouri river. They decided
to build a club house. Stock was subscribed and
plans made when the men discovered they did not
have time to see the project through.
Then they took their better halves into consultation
and a plan was evolved whereby nine women
would purchase shares of stock so as to become
members of the corporation with legal standing.
After this a meeting was called and the nine male
directors one by one resigned from the board of
directors and women were elected in due order to
take their places.
The newly elected board of women directors
immediately took over the matter of having the
club house erected and with the opening of the
new building a week ago they saw the successful
conclusion of their efforts.
This club house which is located at 2680 Redick
avenue, is the only one in Omaha to have been
built and furnished entirely under the supervision
of women. Mrs. Fred M. Crane succeeded A. C.
Northrup as president last November and it is largely to her untiring
efforts that the success of the venture is due.
The other eight women members of the board who
have been most capable assistants are Mesdames
W. H. Flinn, G. C. Adwers, S. McCleneghan, A. L.
Schantz, C. S. Rainbolt, A. M. Smith, S. N. High and
J. H. Cutoff.
The building is 48x80 feet and has three floor
completely finished. The basement is fitted up with
modern appliances for a gymnasium, bowling billiard
and card room. A swimming pool will be built later.
On the main floor is the general parlor with two
small rooms for women’s parties. The dining room
and finely equipped kitchen are also on this floor.
On the upper floor is the ball room, which is 47x70
in the clearing without a post or pillar to impede the
dancers.
Shades of sands and tan are used in the furnishings
and hangings, the furniture being of fumed oak.
Meals are served at the club and a regular schedule of
two Saturday night and two midweek dinner dances
a month will be established.
Mrs. Flinn is to be house matron and will be in
attendance at all times.
Charles W. Martin Co. constructed the building.
Birchwood Club Is A
Popular Meeting Place
For several generations of North Omahans the Birchwood has been the
center of social activities and the popular meeting place for members’
social and civic groups. Its private dining rooms and ballroom offer
facilities for meetings that are unexcelled in the city and the club’s fine
catering service offers good food expertly served for any size and kind
of party or group----wedding breakfasts and receptions, brunches,
dinners, office parties, teas, anniversary parties, style shows, class
reunions, etc. All meetings must be approved by the Board of directors.
The Birchwood club is centrally located in the heart of the North
Omaha district, easily accessible from any direction. Its location at
27th street and Redick avenue is just north of beautiful Miller park.
Off-street parking is available for a large number of cars.
For the past
three years the
Birchwood
has been under
the
efficient
management of
Dave Hayden,
well-know
restaurateur.
New Swimming Pool
Fine Theater for North Side
Minne Lusa Now Bright, Modern
ordered by Mr. Huhnke and there will be new lobby and
foyer furniture. When this is delivered, the theater will be
complete.
Thus the big North Side has an up-to-date theater in a busy
Omahans who live on the far North Side including Florence and well-populated section of the city that’s a good six
now have a fine, modern motion picture theater since miles from downtown. The house seats 450 and even has
extensive improvements and alterations were made on the newly treated acoustical walls.
Minne Lusa, 6720 North Thirtieth Street.
Elmer Huhnke, proprietor who came to Omaha and started
in as a salesman for various film distributors, finally went
into business for himself when he took over the Minne
Lusa a few years ago.
As it now stands the Minne Lusa offers a beautifully
decorated auditorium in in blue and coral. It has the latest
type of pushback seats, so you don’t have to get up to
let some one pass. It has a new type of modern lighting
that keeps the screen in a dark shadowbox, improving the
projection. The sound system too is the last word.
An entirely new front illumination of neon has been
As announced elsewhere in this issue of the paper, arrangements have
been completed for the construction of a large new swimming pool,
75 x 75 feet,
with remodeled
locker
rooms
accessible
to the pool.
This
addition
will make the
Birchwood
a
complete
recreation center
for the entire
family.
The
pool will have a
large deck area,
umbrellas, landscaping and a decorative fence. It will be built on the
east side of the present club building. Completion is planned for early
next spring.
The Bowling Alleys
The basement floor of the Birchwood contains four modern bowling
alleys and another lounge. These alleys are available to members for
open bowling and by leagues of eight teams. The comfortable lounge
with bar and tables for the use of bowlers creates a happier and closer
relationship of members.
Fish in Miller Park Pond
Take Walking Lessons as
Water Begins to Disappear
There has been much said and printed recently concerning the drying
up of the water in Miller park lake. According to Arch Wilson, who
lives out on Ida street and in Minne Lusa, north of the park, the fish in
the lake have heard, or rather learned of this disappearing of the water
and are preparing to pack up, get out onto dry land and walk away,
perhaps going to the Missouri river, or perhaps to the lakes in the other
city parks.
For a good many years Wilson has made a close study of fish and their
habits. As a result he feels that he is authority on all kinds of fish. Some
weeks ago he commenced to note the recession of the water in Miller
park lake and at once turned his attention to figuring out what would
become of the fish in the event the lake went dry. Morning, noon and
night when not attending to his daily duties he might have been seen
walking along the shores of the lake, closely observing the antics of
the gold fish, the silver sides, the carp and the bullheads, which fairly
swarm in the waters.
Later on and after his observations had gone to the extent of enabling
him to reach a conclusion, Wilson made a statement that has startled
the scientists, the savants and those of the common herd, the members
of which are presumed to know something of fish lore.
According to Wilson, the fish in Miller park lake are growing legs and
his theory is that in time, of the water continues to recede and entirely
dries up, these same fish will hop away on their own feet and legs,
much the same as do frogs and toads. This, says Wilson, is not the first
time that a thing of this kind has occurred. To prove his assertion he
contends that back in biblical times in numerous places in Asia fish
developed legs and leaving their native waters, traveled from place to
place. Later on and during the last century, he says that history records
the fact that fish grew legs and traveled over land across a portion of
Illinois. And still later, right here in Nebraska, he asserts that upon
several occasions fish have been seen walking across the country, going
from the Elkhorn to the Platte river.
Right now, according to Wilson, there are some of the Miller lake carp
that have legs one-half to an inch long. His idea is that inside of a
month these legs will have grown to sufficient length and strength so
that the fish will have confidence in them and then they will get out on
dry land and give the aforesaid legs a trial trip. Six legs are the usual
number that fish grow, says Wilson.
ABOUT TREES
When we put Minne Lusa Addition on the market,
we were sure that we could make it Omaha’s Prettiest Residence District, and with that end in view, we
took advantage of the beautiful natural contour of the
ground---laid out wide streets and avenues---put in
the best sever and water system in all of Omaha---put in wide cement walks and ordered paving on all
streets---and now, just to give it the finishing touch,
we have contracted with the M. P. Byrd Nurseries for
1900 SHADE TREES
Minne Lusa Students Learn About Trees
Displaying information about trees and products made from trees are
Minne Lusa School fifth graders Nancy Kacirek (from left), daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. George Kacirek, 6551 n. 32nd; Jim La Puzza, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Ongelo La Puzza, 3088 Martin ave., and Marsha Harris,
daughter of Capt. And Mrs. William R. Harris, 6616 Minne Lusa. The
children are showing some of the results of four months of tree study
under the direction of Frank Pipal and Orville Hatcher, city foresters.
Children participating from the two fifth-grade rooms in the school
received junior forestry badges. The 78 projects have been on display
at the school for public inspection the past two weeks.
Bonspiel New Year’s Day
Each street will have only one kind of tree. There
will be Sycamores, Maples, Carolina Poplars, Elms,
HUNDREDS of trees. Not “SPROUTS,” but REAL
TREES, and, of course, we are paying for them---they will NOT be charged against the lot buyers.
Minne Lusa is a big success. Are you in? If
not, you had better come out today---and
GET in while the lots are still $550 to $850
Charles W. Martin & Co.
Tyler 187
742 Omaha Nat’l. Bank Bldg.
The Thistles curling team will defend the Kennedy trophy at Miller
park New Year’s day. Reading from right to left: E. S. Dodds, skip;
John W. Muir, Tom Leuchars (replaced by C. C. Sadler), C. M.
Johnston.
The bonspiel for the Kennedy trophy, presented to the Clan Gordon
Athletic club by the honorary president, John L. Kennedy, will be
started New Year’s day. Eight teams have entered and the curlers are
busy polishing up their stones for the annual contest.
Poor ice has prevented much preliminary practice, but the rivalry
between the teams is spirited and good matches are promised. The
trophy has been won twice by the Thistles, who have announced their
intention of annexing it for a third time. C. C. Sadler will replace Tom
Leuchars on the championship team and is expected to strengthen
their chances for another win.
A point game will also be started as soon as ice is in condition for play.
E. M. Tracy has presented a trophy for the high point winners. John
McTaggart will defend his title for the individual championship soon.
He won the title after hard playing from the previous champion, Alec
Melvin, in the finals last year. The individual championship promises
to be hard-fought this year. The trophy will be presented by Robert
Malcolm.
At a meeting of the Clan Gordon plans for the curling season were
discussed and arrangements made for the New Year’s bonspiel. All
matches will be played on the ice at Miller park. The drawings for the
first round of play for the Kennedy trophy were Bobby Burns against
Omaha Scotts and Thistles against Balmorals. Play will start at 9:30 a.
m. In the afternoon at 2:30 o’clock the Tam O’Shanters will play the
Heathers and the Gordons will battle the Ailsa Craigs.
Two Omaha Men and Whist Millionaire
Who Are Officers of Big Tournament
“The Whist Millionaire” is the title whist enthusiasts have affixed to
H. F. Fry of Chicago, former president of the national association.
Mr. Fry is worth almost a million dollars and whist is his greatest
recreation. He is in Omaha for the twenty-fourth annual tournament
of the Central Whist association now being held at the Hotel Rome.
C. W. Martin of Omaha is president of the Central Whist association
and J. A. Abbot is secretary.
Vintage ad from the omaha Bee
M i n n e L u s a T h e a t e r O p e n e d J u l y, 1 9 2 6
Marquee to Come down, Store Sign Will Go Up
A faded, weather-worn marquee will be ripped from a 35-year-old
building at 30th and Titus soon. North Omahans will see the old Minne
Lusa theater bow out permanently and a business venture launched
which could mean the start of a revitalization of the Minne Lusa
commercial area.
Carl Zaccone, a young Council Bluffs businessman, has purchased the
theater and the buildings adjoining it, and plans to open a furniture
store there by the first of next year.
Stan Beckwith of Beckwith Realty, which sold the buildings for
Samuel Elewitz, 4316 Shirley, said that “all kinds of prospects” had
been interested in the old theater building, vacant since 1959.
“The first guy who showed interest wanted to transform the place into
a night club,” Beckwith said, adding that this idea was shelved because
the buildings proximity ot a church in the area ruled out a liquor license.
“Another man had an idea for a roller rink,” Beckwith said. Others
would have built another theater, a variety store, a doctor’s clinic and
a beauty school.”
Beckwith said that the clinic was his company’s idea, but that prospects
were too few.
Elewitz said that opening night at the Minne Lusa was held July 6,
1926. Frank Houston, now a California resident, held the original
lease on the building for five years. Various other operators reaped the
theater’s profits during the good movie years of the ‘30s and ’40.
Elmer Huhnke was the last tenant. The late theater manager left for
Arizona after leasing the building for 19 years.
Zaccone said he will begin renovation of the building front and interior
as soon as plans are off the drawing board. He will bring the slanted
floor level even with the stage, which will serve as extended floor space.
Two office suites for professional men will be rented in the upstairs of
the building, Zaccone said.
Most of the old theater equipment has been stripped from the building
and sold, but there are such items yet to be removed as light fixtures,
theater screen, curtain and electric curtain control.
“we are anxious to get rid of this stuff, and would be happy to give
some of the items away to interested groups,” Zaccone said.
Zaccone, who plans to move to North Omaha with his wife and three
children (Rosemarie, 9; Paul, 7; and Anthony, 2) said that he hoped
his venture would encourage other investors to come into Minne Lusa.
MURIEL BOWERY
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES
AMBASSADOR REAL ESTATE
13340 CALIFORNIA ST
OMAHA, NE 68154
402-216-3994
[email protected]
A MEMBER OF THE FRANCHISE OF BHH AFFILIATES, LLC
“This is potentially a fine business area, and I’d sure like to see it
develop,” Zaccone said. “This is a real nice part of town; Omaha is
starting to see some growth out north, and this is an area which can
benefit from it commercially.”
In the furniture business 16 years in Council Bluffs, Zaccone said the
new store will be large, modern, and offer a complete line of furniture.
Vintage ad from the omaha Bee