Boys Town in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
(The Original "Boys Town")
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 27, 2017
1. Father Flanagan's Boys' Home Marker
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
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. 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 Boys Town, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and in Greater Omaha. 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 6 miles
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
2. Father Flanagan's Boys' Home Marker
Also see . . .
1. About Boys Town. Website homepage (Submitted on March 2, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
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.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
3. Father Flanagan's Boys' Home NHL Marker
Located on the traffic circle near the museum (41.261061,-96.132752)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
4. Father Flanagan's Boys' Home Marker
via NPS, 1984
5. Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
National Register of Historic Places Digital Archive on NPGallery website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 17, 2012
6. Boys Town Pillar
By Harris & Ewing, Inc., 1938
7. Father Flanagan
By Harris & Ewing, Inc. - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Harris & Ewing Collection: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/hec2009011863, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11155760
Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,958 times since then and 44 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 Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 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 Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 7. submitted on July 2, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.
