Omaha: Underground

[Coyote]

Life beneath the streets: Downtown sidewalks conceal a hidden world underground

Under the sidewalks of 16th Street — and those of the rest of Omaha's downtown and Old Market — are a series of underground vaults, some that run as deep as three stories.

Some of the below-ground history is clear. The vaults were used for storing coal and merchandise, which could be dropped in through chutes or lowered through metal trap doors built into the sidewalks.

But there are other possibilities, too. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, spaces like Hawkins' were directly below the heart of an area known as the Sporting District, where a crime boss ran bootlegging and prostitution operations.

[NEDodger]

That'd be pretty cool for a tour. Seattle has an attraction called "Seattle Underground" where you go underneath the current downtown area and walk through the original city of Seattle, before they built it one story above to prevent flooding.

[skinzfan23]

That'd be pretty cool for a tour. Seattle has an attraction called "Seattle Underground" where you go underneath the current downtown area and walk through the original city of Seattle, before they built it one story above to prevent flooding.

Yeah I was going to mention that, I went on that tour once....it was really neat to see everything under the pavement. There were even spots where you can look up through glass and see people walking on the sidewalks above you (and they have no idea you are down there because they can't see you).

[Brad]

Phil Hawkins is awesome! He is literally on of the most creative people I have ever met! Great to see him in this story!

[Coyote]

Hooch Hideaway: Prohibition-Era Tunnels Still Exist in Omaha

Secret spaces still house underground distilleries from the Prohibition Era. We agreed not to give exact addresses because some of the homeowners had safety concerns, but we can tell you we found them in Omaha's Little Italy.

[skinzfan23]

I thought that was a very good story that Channel 3 did last night. I didn't know that those existed. It makes you wonder how many more hidden passageways are out there.

[Brad]

Wow, Super cool story! Can't believe some of that stuff is still in there.

BTW, I am an "IBM" also. I see the IBM shirt every year at the Festa, but haven't bought one yet.

[PrismA3D]

I'd pay for that tour!

[Brad]

I'd pay for that tour!

Me too!

[Coyote]

I'd love to get a photo tour of Omaha Underground...

[Brad]

I'd love to get a photo tour of Omaha Underground...

Better get your tripod fixed!

[Coyote]

I'd love to get a photo tour of Omaha Underground...

Better get your tripod fixed!

It's already Jerry Rigged.