St. Nicholas Hotel (Omaha, Nebraska)

The St. Nicholas Hotel, originally known as the Claim House, is a historic building located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It holds the distinction of being the first building and hotel in Omaha, as well as the site of the city's first church service in 1854. Built by the Council Bluffs and Nebraska Ferry Company to attract settlers, the hotel served as a vital gathering place for early residents, hosting church services, dances, and public meetings. Its simple log cabin structure included a main room and an attached kitchen, making it a key landmark in Omaha's early development.