I'm back again to show and tell you about the greater Omaha area. Today I walked some of the Historic Haymarket of Council Bluffs, IA. The area is considered the downtown area of this small city.
Many of the buildings in the down town area have been standing for 130 years or longer. This particular building was used to house hay and flour feed. Today it is both a gift shop and Mexican restaurant. Just being here today I imagine top hats, dirt's roads, and horses.
I can imagine a lot of out people coming from out of town staying at this hotel. I imagine they either brought goods in to sell or to buy them. Today it is converted into apartments. I've been inside several times, it would not be my first choice to reside. I can imagine 100 years ago it was a nice hotel.
The building above was once the cities free public library. It served as a library until 1998. I never got to visit when it was a library. I heard many stories of the library being haunted. Even my wife told me stories of books falling off shelves for no reason. Today it has been converted into the Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
Interesting fact about Council Bluffs, it was once known as the gateway to west for the transcontinental railroad for well over 100 years. I remember moving in this area in 1994 and thinking wow there is a lot of trains and tracks. Today there is still a lot but nothing like 30 years ago, my account.
Another example of an older building being utilized. This building was a medical clinic back in it's early begging. Now it is utilized by an insurance company.
The Creston house was the cities first hotel. I've heard it's housed a few entities most recently a law firm. Currently it is vacant and can be rented.
There are several buildings that are vacant and look like it's been awhile since they have been used. This one above was meat shop at its demise but it started in 1915. I know the family that ran it all those years. It closed about ten years ago because of arguments and misfortunes among the family.
The building could confuse a lot of people especially if you don't see the fences on the one side of the buildings. Its a county jail that was used from 1885 to 1969. The Squirrel Cage Jail is it's name, yes it been the bunt of jokes against those that live in Council Bluffs. The name is given because of the overbundence of black squirrels that are in the area. I know some oldier people who served time there. Now it serves itself in that capacity but as a museum.
A very unique jail and there weren't many like it. The cells are on a drum that rotate to just one door. I won't say much more because I will visit it in the near future and do an article on it. There are many stories and it has gained national attention as it's been televised on shows before.
There are also some oldier Victorian style houses nearby the Historic Haymarket. I'm sure the residents that lived in them during that time were wealthy business owners there. Now two law firms use them. There is one unique house that is a few blocks away from this area I'll mention another time. It's called the Dodge House.
This is an old fire department. I want to say it was built in 1903. This was a good mile away from the market. It's hidden in the middle of an older neighbor. Why it never got torn down is beyond me. It won't now because it is protected. Now it's used as a union hall by local 15 firefighters.
I've been inside once for a wedding reception. It's half renovated on the inside. There is some old hoses and firefighter equipment on display. It is amazing to look at those two doors. It just shows that the equipment that went through them was small.
My last stop, hey got to eat at one of these old buildings right, haha. My choice for a late lunch was a restaurant called Buck Snort. Unfortunately no one knew what the the original purpose was for the building. As you can see in the pictures it's not a 100% renovation inside. I like that though keep as much as original as you can.
Lunch was a rather large chicken tender pounded out, mashed potatoes, and some sweet potatoes fries. I guess a dinner for two. Who's the second you ask? Well I took a doggie bag home for Watson. He'll make quick time of what's left over. Ok he just got some of the chicken tender.
You may have noticed not many people or traffic. This area is not very busy except for at night. I didn't go down bar block, yes there is one. The most popular one is named 1892, no need to say why. At some point I will go across the river and visit the old market. Many other oldier buildings await but mixed with newer. Also a place that is busy at all times except early mornings.
Thanks for stopping and checking my article out. Take care and be safe always. Love you all ❤️