STORY #21: What Were Omaha’s Leaders Saying About Country Club in 1927?
When the Metcalfe Company unveiled the Country Club District in September 1927, Omaha’s civic and business leaders were eager to share their impressions.
The Omaha World-Herald devoted an entire section to the development — including letters sent directly to the Metcalfe Company praising the transformation of the former golf grounds into one of the city’s most ambitious residential plans.
Mayor James C. Dahlman wrote after touring the neighborhood:
“Certainly anyone looking for the ideal homesite need go no farther… far enough out to be a retreat from the busy business district, yet within easy and convenient reach of any part of town.”
City planners also recognized its importance. Civil engineer Roy N. Towl noted the district connected northwest Omaha to the city center while preserving the natural slopes and scenic beauty of the old Country Club grounds.
Congressman Edgar Howard of Columbus, Nebraska, who purchased a lot himself, called it:
“Without a doubt one of the finest residential districts I have ever seen.”
Telephone company president W. B. T. Bell added that the development gave Omaha citizens an opportunity to establish homes “amid very beautiful and attractive surroundings.”
Bankers, attorneys and civic leaders echoed similar praise — many predicting the neighborhood would become one of Omaha’s showplaces.
Next post: what residents and future homeowners had to say about living there.
Source: Omaha World-Herald Sept. 11, 1927 pg 48-49
Photo Captions:
Metcalfe Co. took advantage of the original Omaha Country Club's rolling hills and trees in the development of the Country Club neighborhood. Here's the original approach to Hole # 16 before development began. The Durham Archives (BF51-093).
As the Country Club neighborhood was being developed, people complimented the Metcalfe Co. on preserving the original terrain of the former golf course, as seen here on Hole #15. The Durham Museum Archives (BF51-094).
