The Old Market in Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Millard Block 1880-1881
The Old Market Historic Walking Tour
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 27, 2010
1. Millard Block 1880-1881 Marker
Omaha capitalist Ezra Millard, a former mayor of Omaha and the man for whom a western suburb was named, erected the four-story Millard Block in 1880-81. The first tenants were Tootle, Maul & Co., wholesale dry goods; Reed, Jones & Co., boots and shoes; and W.L. Parrotte & Co., hats and caps. But by the beginning of the 20th century, the busy factory of the F.P. Kirkendall Boot Company was established here. It was once the world's largest producer of riding boots, supplying them to such prestigious customers as King Gustav V of Sweden and Emperor Yoshohito of Japan, as well as working cowboys everywhere. On the night of January 28, 1905, a fire gutted the interior of the building, but left standing the sturdy walls, which are 30-inches thick at the base. The interior was then rebuilt and a fifth floor added to the building, enabling the Kirkendall Boot Factory to stay another 50 years. In 1995, Rubin Distributing Co. left the building to make way for new upscale apartments and retail.
Erected by The Old Market.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is January 28, 1908.
Location. 41° 15.385′ N, 95° 55.859′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It is in The Old Market.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Morse Coe Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); United States National Bank Building Arch (about 500 feet away); Baum Iron Company Building 1880 (about 600 feet away); Omaha Firehouse 1903-1904 (about 600 feet away); Burlington Building 1879 (about 600 feet away); Windsor Hotel (about 800 feet away); J.P. Cooke Building 1885-1889 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Skinner Macaroni Building 1914-1915 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.
Also see . . .
1. Ezra Millard Bio in Illustrated History of Nebraska. (Submitted on September 4, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Kirkendall Boots. (Submitted on September 4, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., April 27, 2010
2. Millard Block 1880-1881
Marker is on cast iron column immediately left of the green and white striped awnings to right of photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,484 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
