Second Sunday Talks
Second Sunday Talks:
The Story of the Omaha Stockyards
with Gary Kastrick
For generations, the Omaha Stockyards were more than a place where livestock was bought and sold, they helped shape South Omaha, fueled its incredible growth, provided livelihoods for thousands of families, and left an unmistakable mark on the city we know today.
At their height, Omaha’s stockyards became the largest livestock market in the world. But behind that extraordinary rise is a much bigger story, one filled with ambitious businessmen, packing houses, immigrant communities, booming neighborhoods, hard work, and eventually, dramatic change.
Join us for our October Second Sunday Talk as Gary Kastrick takes us into the fascinating history of the Omaha Stockyards and the community that grew up around them. Whether you remember the Stockyards yourself, grew up hearing family stories about them, or have always wondered about this enormous piece of Omaha’s past, this is one you won’t want to miss!
About the Speaker
Gary Kastrick is a retired South High School social studies teacher, former Director of Project OMAHA, Creighton University methods instructor, and recognized expert on the history of South Omaha. During his 28 years at South High, he helped develop Project OMAHA, which created the nation’s first local history museum inside a school and was later recognized by Apple as one of the country’s top educational projects.
A popular historian, speaker, and tour guide, Gary has shared South Omaha’s history throughout the community and received numerous honors for his work in education and historic preservation, including the Nebraska Historical Society’s James Olson Award, UNO’s Community Service Award, and induction into the South High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2014.
Come hear the story of an industry that didn’t just help build South Omaha, it helped build Omaha.
DCHS Members: FREE | Non-Members: $5 Suggested Donation
