About Omaha, Nebraska:
On May 2, 1803 the Louisiana purchase was signed, giving the U.S.the rights to the western half of the Mississippi River basin from France, which included the area of what is now the state of Nebraska. By 1850, this territory was subdivided and the Apostolic Vicariate of the Indian Territories East of the Rocky Mountains was erected with its see in Leavenworth, KS.
In 1857, this territory was again subdivided, creating the Apostolic Vicariate of Nebraska, with its see in Omaha. In her earliest days, Nebraska in 1542 saw the death of the protomartyr of the United States, Fr. Juan de Padilla, OFM, who was on mission along what is now the Kansas border.
Located on the Missouri River, Omaha became a major transportation hub, home of the Union Pacific Railroad and what were once the largest stockyards in the country. The city, like many in the rapidly growing U.S., drew waves of immigrants: Irish, German, Czech, Polish, Syrian, Italian, Sicilian, Mexican and others. These immigrants, many of whom were Catholic, built some beautiful churches. Omaha was no exception.
Catholic places of interest in Omaha, Nebraska:
Immaculate Conception Church: Traditional Latin Mass parish
Catholic places of interest near Omaha, Nebraska:
Gretna (28 miles southeast of Omaha):
Holy Family Shrine; The Cloisters on the Platte
Traveling to Omaha, Nebraska:
By air: The airport in Omaha is Eppley Field (OMA) and is served by several major airlines.
By Train: There is train service via AMTRAK’s “California Zephyr” running between Chicago and Emeryville, California, offering one of North America’s most scenic rail journeys over approximately 2,438 miles in about 52 hours.
By car: Omaha is on Interstate Highway 29 which runs from Kansas City to the Canada border near Pembina, North Dakota.