East Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Vivian Strong

December 26, 2024

1. Vivian Strong Marker

Inscription. On June 24, 1969, 14-year-old Vivian Strong was shot and killed by James Loder, a white police officer, while leaving a party in the Logan Fontenelle public housing complex. Vivian was one of many teenagers at a dance party in a vacant housing unit that had been left unlocked by the maintenance crew. After a neighbor called the police and officers arrived, the teenagers ran from the party. Officer James Loder raised his gun and fired a single shot, hitting Vivian Strong in the back of her head as she ran away. Vivian was killed instantly. The shooting death of this unarmed Black girl by a white police officer sparked several days of turbulent protest along 24th Street. Burning and looting destroyed both white and Black owned businesses between Hamilton and Lake, forever changing this vibrant Northeast Omaha community. Vivian Strong was the fourth of ten children, and the emotional toll of her death had a devastating effect on the family. In March of 1970, an all-white jury acquitted Officer James Loder of all charges related to killing Vivian Strong.

Erected 2023 by Strong Family & Vivian Strong Marker Committee; History

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1969.

Location. 41° 16.676′ N, 95° 56.813′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It is in East Omaha. It is on 24th Street north of Blondo Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2021 N 24th St, Omaha NE 68110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James M. Woolworth (approx. 0.7 miles away); James G. Megeath (approx. 0.7 miles away); Johan and Sophia Ahmanson (approx.

Vivian Strong Marker, from the south image. Click for full size.

December 26, 2024

2. Vivian Strong Marker, from the south

0.7 miles away); Joseph Francis Bauman (approx. 0.7 miles away); Alfred Sorenson (approx. 0.7 miles away); Andrew Jackson Poppleton (approx. 0.7 miles away); William Davis Brown (approx. 0.7 miles away); John Wesley Nichols (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.

Also see . . .
1. Historical marker revealed for girl shot, killed by police | WOWT. (Submitted on January 26, 2025.)
2. Killing of Vivian Strong - Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 26, 2025.)

Additional commentary.
1. Erecting organization
'History Nebraska' is now known as the 'Nebraska State Historical Society'.

— Submitted January 29, 2025.

Vivian Strong Marker, from the north image. Click for full size.

December 26, 2024

3. Vivian Strong Marker, from the north

Vivian Strong Memorial Marker, near 24th & Grant image. Click for full size.

December 26, 2024

4. Vivian Strong Memorial Marker, near 24th & Grant

In Loving Memory of Vivian Strong
December 24, 1954 – June 24, 1969

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2025. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2025.