After the area was developed in the late 1800s and early 1900s the area had mostly middle- and upper-class residents, and it included mansions as well as single family homes, and also some apartment buildings and duplexes. The West Farnam neighborhood, later called the Blackstone, was distinct from the Cathedral neighborhood at the time; both are included in the larger Gold Coast.[4]
About
This historic district was a trendy social hotspot in the 1920s, and was called the "Gold Coast" for its concentration of high-value homes. From 1880 through the 1940s several large mansions were built for upper middle and upper class commuters. During this time Omaha's downtown was a long trolley-ride away, and the community was in the country. Two neighborhoods within the district (the Blackstone and Cathedral neighborhoods) reflect the housing styles of the times. The Joslyn Castle neighborhood is also within the area.
The area is the location of several locally and nationally historically significant landmarks, including Joslyn Castle, Saunders School and St. Cecilia Cathedral, as well as several homes which are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.