West Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
(The Original "Boys Town")
Boys Town was founded as a home and school for homeless, abandoned, neglected or otherwise underprivileged boys, regardless of color or creed, by Father Edward J. Flanagan (1886-1948) on December 10, 1917. The first Father Flanagan's Boy's Home at 25th and Dodge Streets in Omaha, Nebraska, sheltered five boys...three from the Juvenile Court and two homeless newsboys.
On October 17, 1921, Father Flanagan brought Overlook Farm outside Omaha, nucleus of today's Boys Town campus. From here thousands of Boys Town residents have gone on to become productive citizens in all walks of life.
The philosophy of Boys Town is summarized in Father Flanagan's words:
"Our young people are our greatest wealth. Give them a chance and they will give a good account of themselves. No boy wants to be bad. There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking."
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America
1985
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior
Erected by Boys Town and Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 226.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the Nebraska State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1828.
Location. 41° 15.75′ N, 96° 7.612′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It is in West Omaha. Marker is on Flanagan Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in front of the Boys Town Visitor Center/Gift Shop. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boys Town NE 68010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Boys Town Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Right Reverend Monsignor Edward J. Flanagan (approx. 0.3 miles away); Msgr. Edward Joseph Flanagan (approx. 0.4 miles away); Father Flanagan Historic House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Omaha (approx. 6.1 miles away); Dundee Memorial Park Streetcar Wall (approx. 6.8 miles away); Jan Rosicky (approx. 7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.
Also see . . .
1. About Boys Town. Website homepage (Submitted on March 2, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. There was more to ‘Boys Town’ than meets the screen. Catholic Philly website entry (Submitted on April 9, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,515 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 23, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 2, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on April 9, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on March 2, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.