Swift Packing Plant Explained

The Swift Packing Plant was a division of Swift and Company located at South 27th and Q Streets in South Omaha, Nebraska. The plant was opened in 1887 and closed in 1969.^[1] It covered approximately eight square blocks and consisted of several brick and stone buildings, and was located in proximity to the Omaha Stockyards. It was located on the South Omaha Terminal Railway, and next to the Omaha Stockyards, making Swift one of the "Big Four" packing companies in Omaha.^{[2] [3]}

History

The Union Stock Yards Company and G. F. Swift of Chicago to bring Swift and Company into South Omaha. Swift was given eleven acres of land and approximately $135,000 to build a packing house. The Swift Packing Plant was fully operational by late 1888, with $300,000 in buildings for slaughtering cattle and hogs.^[4]

There were a number of large riots and civil unrest that originated or included events at the Swift Packing Plant.^[5]

See also

• History of Omaha, Nebraska
• Economy of Omaha, Nebraska

References

41.2047°N -95.9517°W

Notes and References

1. Larsen, L.H. and Cottrell, B.J. (1997) The Gate City: A history of Omaha. University of Nebraska Press. p 250.
2. http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/money_14.html "Farming in the 1950s and 60s"
3. Federal Writers Project. (1939) Nebraska: A guide to the Cornhusker state. Nebraska State Historical Society. p 250.
4. http://www.historicomaha.com/ofcchap6.htm "Omaha Began Early to Develop Its Role as Packing Center"
5. Nebraska Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics. (1894) Biennial report of the Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics of Nebraska. p 463.