Bellevue is a city in the Omaha metro. It started as a trading post as the United States moved west. Though overshadowed by the faster-growing neighbor, Omaha, Bellevue holds an important spot in Nebraska’s geo-political landscape with Offutt Air Force Base.
Despite its size as the third largest city in Nebraska, Bellevue has a small central business district – more like those of a town 1/10th its size. The growth of the city has happened along north-south thoroughfares and the downtown located east toward the river never grew large.
About
- Population: 64,176 (2020 est.)
- City, County, State: City of Bellevue, Sarpy County, Nebraska
History
The area was settled by European Americans starting around 1830 and incorporated in 1855, making it Nebraska’s longest continuously inhabited town. Though Bellevue was surpassed by Omaha as Nebraska’s main city, the city remained an important part of the westward expansion of the United States. It is still the state’s third most populated town today. More history from the City of Bellevue website.
Offutt Air Base opened at the south end of town in 1921 as Fort Crook. It was renamed for First Lieutenant Jarvis Jenness Offutt, Omaha’s first casualty in World War I. The base remains an important part of the United States’s strategic air defenses.
Attractions
- Fontenelle Forest and Gifford Farm
- American Heroes Park and Haworth Park
- Riverview Areana
- Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch
- Sarpy County Museum
- Bellevue Little Theater
Features
- Offutt Air Force Base (not for public entry, obviously)
- Bellevue University
Map
Sources
- Wikipedia: Bellevue, Nebraska
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