I grew up in Benson in the 50's through the 70's. Went to Benson West grade school, Monroe Jr. High and graduated from Benson High in '72. I remember going to the Post office and getting money orders for my mom and going to the market on the corner of 62nd and Military for tomatoes for her in the summer. Both of my grandparents services were at Kramer's funeral home when they passed on. I remember buying model cars and model monsters and troll dolls at the Hobby center. My sister worked at Hollywood Ice Cream Parlor and then was a waitress at the lunch counter at either Kresgee's or Hestead's, I don't remember which. She met my brother in law there who worked across the street at Morris Paint store when he would come in for lunch. We bought our shoes at Corballey's and my grandmother would shop at both Virgie's and Mode-O-Day dress shops. There was Sprague's Rexall drug store and Douglas County Bank, and the Benson Bakery which had the best chocolate frosted brownies that my older brother and I loved. I remember the Chistmas decorations that hung across Military Ave during the holidays and they seemed so magical and special to me as a young boy. We attended Benson Church Of Christ on 58th and Miami every Sunday for Sunday school, morning worship, Bible Town in the late afternoon and evening worship also. It was our second home, seems like now.There was Dippy Donuts which my grandfather would treat us to sometimes across the street from Galagher park that had a fountain facing Military ave. that sometimes got laundry detergent or soap poured into it and would cause lots of foam and a big mess. My best friend in high school's dad owned the gas station on the corner of 52nd and Military and I remember we would hang out there and smoke cigarettes before school started. Watching this clip brings back many memories of growing up there. It was small town U.S.A. like our very own Mayberry!
The Benson is a very old part of Omaha . Still has that very nice small town to it . I have spent some very good times in Benson . Thanks Rich for sharing .
The old, two story brick building shown at 6:02 is the old Benson City Hall and Fire Station. The Omaha Fire Department moved in when Omaha annexed Benson, and it remained a fire station until about 1966 or so. After that it became the Benson Community Center. I recall it had a large gym / auditorium upstairs, which my sister was in a dance recital. Both sides of my family had ties to Benson, with one set of grandparents living at 61st and Lake, just two blocks to the south, and the other set living on 51st street, just north of Military. I remember my grandpa would say, "There was Downtown Omaha and Uptown Benson!" The other grandpa work at the Post Office near 62nd and Maple. I can remember grand parades one or two times per year, and each summer they would close off both ends of Maple for what they called the Sidewalk Sale, which was a huge street carnival. During the winter holidays, the street was decorated with lights arching over Maple Street! It had a real sense of community back in those days. To the day my Old Man passed away, if he was asked where he was from, he'd always reply "Benson!" then later explain that it was part of Omaha.
Looks nice
My little part of the planet . I've been there for some time . And just love it !!!!
I grew up in Benson in the 50's through the 70's. Went to Benson West grade school, Monroe Jr. High and graduated from Benson High in '72.
I remember going to the Post office and getting money orders for my mom and going to the market on the corner of 62nd and Military for tomatoes for her in the summer. Both of my grandparents services were at Kramer's funeral home when they passed on. I remember buying model cars and model monsters and troll dolls at the Hobby center. My sister worked at Hollywood Ice Cream Parlor and then was a waitress at the lunch counter at either Kresgee's or Hestead's, I don't remember which. She met my brother in law there who worked across the street at Morris Paint store when he would come in for lunch. We bought our shoes at Corballey's and my grandmother would shop at both Virgie's and Mode-O-Day dress shops. There was Sprague's Rexall drug store and Douglas County Bank, and the Benson Bakery which had the best chocolate frosted brownies that my older brother and I loved. I remember the Chistmas decorations that hung across Military Ave during the holidays and they seemed so magical and special to me as a young boy. We attended Benson Church Of Christ on 58th and Miami every Sunday for Sunday school, morning worship, Bible Town in the late afternoon and evening worship also. It was our second home, seems like now.There was Dippy Donuts which my grandfather would treat us to sometimes across the street from Galagher park that had a fountain facing Military ave. that sometimes got laundry detergent or soap poured into it and would cause lots of foam and a big mess. My best friend in high school's dad owned the gas station on the corner of 52nd and Military and I remember we would hang out there and smoke cigarettes before school started. Watching this clip brings back many memories of growing up there. It was small town U.S.A. like our very own Mayberry!
Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
The Benson is a very old part of Omaha . Still has that very nice small town to it . I have spent some very good times in Benson . Thanks Rich for sharing .
I love your videos!
Thank you!
I miss the old Hobby store @ 2:24 it was the bomb of Hobby shops.
Thanks for doing this. The wife and I, are thinking of moving there soon. Looks so serene and easy going. No turmoil, no tumult.
It seems like a very vibrant area and a chill neighborhood.
Thanks for watching!
Rip Louise grocery store
The old, two story brick building shown at 6:02 is the old Benson City Hall and Fire Station. The Omaha Fire Department moved in when Omaha annexed Benson, and it remained a fire station until about 1966 or so. After that it became the Benson Community Center. I recall it had a large gym / auditorium upstairs, which my sister was in a dance recital. Both sides of my family had ties to Benson, with one set of grandparents living at 61st and Lake, just two blocks to the south, and the other set living on 51st street, just north of Military. I remember my grandpa would say, "There was Downtown Omaha and Uptown Benson!" The other grandpa work at the Post Office near 62nd and Maple. I can remember grand parades one or two times per year, and each summer they would close off both ends of Maple for what they called the Sidewalk Sale, which was a huge street carnival. During the winter holidays, the street was decorated with lights arching over Maple Street! It had a real sense of community back in those days. To the day my Old Man passed away, if he was asked where he was from, he'd always reply "Benson!" then later explain that it was part of Omaha.
That’s awesome!
Thanks for sharing those memories!