South Omaha Meat Packing Monument

South Omaha Meat Packing Monument. . , Early in the 20th century, the meat packing industry was born. The work force was made up mostly of immigrants from many foreign lands. Unschooled and with limited use of English, they were accustomed to hard work, long days, and low pay. They became loyal, dedicated workers. Uncomplaining, they worked in crowded, dank cellars and on kill floors. The labor was very demanding because of unsafe and crowded working conditions with long hours and small wages., A new era began in the late 30's. Unions were formed and worked with new high-speed modern equipment. Ethnic work habits and pride created a dedicated, determined work force. In some families, generations worked at the same jobs or even in the same plants. Thousands of proud workers spent their careers working in the meat industry to provide families with decent lifestyles. It was a way of life., At the height of its glory, from 1930 through the 1950's, South Omaha served as one of the meat packing capitals of the world. Once known as the "Magic City" because of its rapid growth, South Omaha employed nearly 14,000 men and women in the meat packing industry. This area was the site of Armour, Cudahy, Swift, Wilson and numerous independent packing houses., During their peak years 1,941,000 cattle, 4,372,000 hogs, and 1,859,000 sheep were slaughtered and processed annually. This monument stands as a tribute to those men and women who labored in the meat packing houses and helped shape the culture and economy of Omaha., South Omaha Independent Meat Packers , Beef Nebraska : Morris Erman, Mike Erman, Joe Erman , Cornhusker Packing Co : Leo Waxenberg, Irv Sherman , Eagle Packing Co : John Jacobsen , Hoffman Packing Co : Charles Hoffman, Richard Hoffman , J.F. O'Neill Packing Co : James O'Neill, Michael O'Neill , Midwest Packing Co : Gilbert Straley Sr., Julius Falkenstein, Gilbert Straley Jr., Joseph Weinert, J. Dale Bergman , Omaha Dressed Beef : Lee Bernstein, Sam Douchey , Omaha Packing Co : Jack Raznick, Joe Raznick, Morris Raznick, Harry Raznick , R and C Packing Co : Howard Ross, Larry Coyle , Rothchild Packing Co : Bernie Rothchild , Union Packing Co : Carl Frohm , This plaque was donated by: Joseph Weinert and Mary Ann Straley Weinert · Midwest Packing Co., We would like to thank the following for their generosity and kindness in making our monument possible. , Cox Cable · David and Barbara Kousgaard · Packers Bank and Trust Co. · Conagra, Inc. · Great Omaha Packing Company · USWest · Bill Chapman · John Roth and Son Meat Packer · BeefAmerica · Omaha Independent Meat Packers · Dial R.E.I.T. , Committee: Nels Petersen, Betty Watson, Walt Mason, Steve Cavlovic, Linda O'Hare, Steve H. Tomasek , Sculptor: John Lajba