Benson, Nebraska

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official_name = Benson
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map_caption = Location in Omaha, Nebraska
subdivision_type = Neighborhood
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website = [http://www.downtownbenson.com link] , [http://www.bensonnebraska.com link]
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Benson is a historic neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. Now a pocket within North Omaha, Benson Place was originally platted in 1887 but was annexed by Omaha in 1917.

Currently

Today the Benson High School is in the Omaha Public Schools district, as are Monroe Middle School and Benson West Elementary School. Benson is home to several live music venues, including [http://www.micksomaha.com Mick's Music & Bar] , the Foundry Cafe, Common Grounds Coffeehouse, [http://www.bensongrind.com Benson Grind] The Waiting Room, PS Collective, the Pizza Shoppe as well as Hargiss Stringed Instruments, a luthier shop. Area churches include the St. Paul United Methodist Church, Benson Church of Christ, Benson Presbyterian Church of Omaha, City Church and Benson Baptist Church of Omaha Nebraska. Local artists include [http://www.goodfirm.com Mark Goodall.]

History

Erastus Benson was a land speculator, investor and philanthropist who unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Omaha in 1906. He was an early investor in marketing Thomas Edison's inventions, including the phonograph and the Kinetoscope. [Robinson, D. (1996) "From Peep Show to Palace: The Birth of American Film," Columbia University Press. p. 37.] [ [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/edhtml/edmvhist1.html Edison Film and Sound:History of Edison Motion Pictures] . Retrieved 8/10/07.] In 1887 he purchased approximately convert|900|acre|km2 of farm land from Edward Creighton, an Omaha businessman. On March 4, 1887, Benson platted the land on the Creighton farm and called it Benson Place, later changing it to Benson. The newly platted community was located along Military Avenue, approximately convert|9|mi|km northwest of Omaha.

On May 25 1917 the City of Omaha, Nebraska annexed the town of Benson. At that time it was 1.4 mi² and had 5000 residents. [ [http://www.webroots.org/library/usahist/honjsm30.html History of Nebraska - Chapter 35] , retrieved 14dec2006]

References