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Sheelytown was a historic neighborhood in South Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Located just north of the Union Stockyards, Sheelytown was named for the Sheely Brothers Packing Houses that were located in the area. Sheelytown was annexed by Omaha in 1887.[1] The Omaha Quartermaster Depot was built just west of the community across the Union Pacific tracks.
[edit] History
Joseph Sheeley ran a meat packing plant near the railroad tracks southeast of Hanscom Park. Workers in his plant occupied a small company town immediately next to the plant that was named after their boss.[2] Sheelytown was largely occupied by Irish[3], Polish[4], and Czech immigrants. The community was a working class and poor area, often regarded as dirty and "uncivilized" by wealthier Omahans.[5] In the early decades of the 20th century, the community had ex-officio mayors for many years, including Nick Dargaczewski, who was a close ally of political bosses "Cowboy" James Dahlman and Tom Dennison.[6]
Around the turn of the century, members of the Hanscom Park Methodist Episcopal Church became concerned with the "lawlessness and destitute behavior" of workers in the neighborhood. They organized dances to compete with the "loose establishments" in Sheelytown. The dances routinely caused a stir among local residents, but were continuously held for many years.[7]
[edit] Legacy
One of the neighborhood's commercial areas is now called the Vinton Street Commercial Historic District. In 2006 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[8]
The Polonairs of Omaha is a polka band that recorded an album called Sheelytown On Parade on the Czech Records label.[9]
[edit] References
[edit] Bibliography
- Larsen, L. and Cottrell, B. (1997) The Gate City: A History of Omaha. University of Nebraska Press. p. p 158.
- Sullenger, T.E. (1937) "Problems of Ethnic Assimilation in Omaha," Social Forces, 15 (3) March. pp. 402-410.
