I left CB in 1975, it was sad seeing so many of those great buildings along Broadway get bulldozed in the name of urban renewal. My parish churches were torn down, 1 grade school is gone, the other became Pizza King. And like you said, so many great places are now just parking lots. At least we have some great memories. Thanks for sharing.
I think you should take this video to a town council meeting and show it. So Many fabulous buildings that they tore down and built either an ugly structure or a damn parking lot. Council Bluffs has a lot of beautiful scenery, the Missouri River, the bluffs, etc. to offer and somebody with some vision could transform the city into a wonderful place to attract new businesses and population. Don't let it deteriorate like so many smaller communities have done.
Grew up in classic Council Bluffs, living there in the glorious '50s and 60's... moved away, but returned in 1979. In just that short time the beautiful town I loved as a boy as wrecked, ruined and historically thrashed. Moved away in 1985 and never went back, except to visit family and bury loved ones.
I was born and raised in Omaha. I spent many a night at Playland Park doing the rides and at the stock car races. I moved away in 1983. I visited Omaha in 2005 and toured through Council Bluffs. I even stopped at that Dairy Queen. Too bad it went bye bye for a Jimmie Johns. Great video brought back a lot of memories.
Thank you for posting this! It really brought back memories. I graduated in 1990 and was born and raised in Council Bluffs. It sure is sad to see sure historic buildings gone.
The stock car track at playland was originally a dog racing track owned by the las vegas mobster meyer lansky. He ran this in a revenue sharing deal with the city, until the state shut it down. CB has a colorful, rough and tumble past.
I have been away from council bluffs for some time now. Thank you for taking me home again. I also lived in omaha for a several years. . It was nice to see it as well.
I miss the diary queen there I ate there every day after school and my dad worked at the omaha standard on Broadway. Ugh many places that should have stayed. It hurts my heart.
I was born in 1954 and grew up in the west end of Council Bluffs. Many good memories of riding the bike over the viaduct to go to the Stand for the Saturday matinee. Going downtown to Beno department store as kid and watching the sales clerks send money through the air tubes upstairs was fun. So many fond memories of the whole downtown experience as a kid. After high school I moved to California and then into the military from 1973 to 1977. When I was discharged I came back to Council Bluffs for a short period of time and was shocked, discussed, and sad what was done to the downtown area. The area was torn down and replaced with a horrible looking mall. It’s unfortunate that the city planners thought this was “progress” at the time and permanently altered the historical character of CB. I’m sure most of them are no longer around but left a legacy of the destruction of what was the heart and soul of a once great little town. RIP CB.
If you need a place to park or if you like Jimmy John's then Council Bluffs is your place. I was in Omaha last June for the College World Series and we drove through Council Bluffs a couple of times. My wife and I thought it was a pretty nice looking town. I wish it luck.
It had the walk-up window facing the street, with parking on the sides. I remember going there with my family as a kid and getting orange slushes - I guess that was a "new concept" back then; at least for us!
Actually, the old broncos had a car drive through the building. It was restored and is now the Great Wall... We have nice parking lots though, I am very happy that you pointed those out. Most of them sit beside a historical building that was able to be preserved and utilized. Those nice parking lots provide the space needed for the cars to park. (Much like the one you used to pop all over town.) The space was not needed in the 1800s when families primary transportation was not by cars. Thank you for coming back and visiting your home town. We hope you come again and share another video. The photos you were able to dig up are beautiful. I would love to see a then and now video of the building still used today.
Went back to see ole Council Bluffs after 40 years... Went to kindie garden and first at Washington school.. Before the mall was built across the street. The old convention center was there and my mother and us little one lived in a big apartment directly across from Washington School . more close to the old phone company next to the school..
I remember the Dairy Queen and Broncos. Bellevue, Nebraska had a Broncos where the CVS is. There was a Broncos in Omaha, I think. I also remember the Omaha Standard.
This was my home town. Grow up and went to schools their. Right now I am living in Kansas City, Ks. I do miss living in Council Bluffs then where I live right now.
@jessierex Thanks! I have a lot of fond memories from the Bluffs also. They HAVE done a good job restoring some of their buildings, which I'm glad for; but Ithink they got pretty "wrecking ball happy" in the early 1970s, however.
I grew up there in the 1960s - 1980s, and like you just go back to visit friends and relatives nowadays. I do like the way they've preserved and built up the 100-200 blocks of W. Broadway; but you're right - they tore down a lot of history. Do you remember the city auditorium? That's something I have no memories of.
Damn. Im 13 and live in Council bluffs and seeing everything that used to be here to what is here now is very heartbreaking. Like that Play land park that used to be here. I wish it was still here instead up these fudging public pools. It would have been better growing up in the old council bluffs. Also that movie theater looked pretty dope I could have taken a date there instead of AMC lmao. Amazing video tho thx for letting me see what this place used to be.
Zone Replays Thank you for your kind comments! I'm old enough to remember seeing movies inside the Strand Theater as well as the "haunted ride" at Playland Park. I've often thought how cool it would be to time travel back and explore things!
They have torn down the grain elevators in the west end. Pauls Yamaha is gone, If you remember the mall on N 16th, Just north of the mall, Destroyed razed Walmart going up. Damn man, I need to get you pics! I really enjoyed this video!!
Phil S The old county courthouse is gone; it had foundation problems and was dismantled and parts of it were used for a new courthouse in California. Bayliss Park and the Dodge House are still going strong, however.
@CBPilot1 My cousin worked on the renovation of the Bennett Building (at 4th & Broadway) and said it was particularly difficult to make it ADA compliant, but managed to get it done. I could sure see where it would be a deterrent.
I believe it was disassembled due to bad foundations and the current courthouse was built in an adjacent spot. Elements of the old building were used in a building in California, I believe.
Sounds like council bluffs is nothing but a parking lot! I'm from Omaha I used to like to go to Mall of the bluffs back in the '80s when I live there and now that's a giant big box store I'm sure.
Indeed! That was fun. Loved the onion rings and cheese frenchies. The last time I was in the Super Saver snack bar, they had an old photo of that N. Broadway King's.
I used to live in Council Bluffs till I had to move to NH when My Dad got a new job. I wondered if you knew where the old Air raid Tornado siren was placed. I knew it was on a high hill.
@PWhiteproductions Yeah; where the Center Point Mall is now (on Broadway, downtown) there used to be all kinds of neat-looking old buildings. I guess nothing lasts forever!
@187sean Agreed! I still enjoy going back to visit; but they recently tore down the church I grew up in, and are closing my old grade school after this school year!
@statman29neb We'd be the same age then; I graduated from LC in '82, but before moving to the LC disctrict, went to Kirn Jr. High; if you went to Kirn we would've been there at the same time (split-shifting w/ Wilson!) Thanks for the compliments!
Man....I am blue after watching this. So much history lost. Beautiful buildings that could and should have been preserved and re-purposed. As each building is razed so dissipates the character and personality of the city. We are all poorer for that. Some cities in America were smart and ahead of their time on preservation.... Santa Fe, NM, Charleston, SC, Syracuse, NY, Hot Springs, AR, St. Augustine, FL.
Older buildings are hardly eyesores. If they are falling apart I see your point, but I like the looks of older buildings better than the crap they are building nowadays.
Many old memories of Playland park... Broadway CB had some of the best Christmas decorations back in 60's. So did Omaha. Very cheezy and tacky stuff these days.
I don't understand why Council Bluffs would be victim of old historical things being torn down... I know it's next to Omaha, but I always saw it as its own city where if you wanted to enjoy the leisure of a big city, but live in a smaller community in a different state.
man, there aren't enough cars in Counciltucky to fill those lots. at least they aren't leaving the outdated buildings standing to become eyesores like Omaha. but hey, be fair. what about downtown? there are still some very nice old buildings standing. anyway, the jimmy john's vito is the bomb.
It would have been nice if the historic buildings could have been used for other purposes rather than turning the spaces into parking lots. In my opinion the real eyesores in town are the pieces of "art" foisted upon the community. Truly hideous stuff!
Let me tell you something. I come from Germany and I live in Berlin. It looks no different here! What houses could the craftsmen build earlier? And something is torn down ... A shame! Our government is a disaster. Bit by bit they are abolishing European culture. And thus also our old architecture ...
That city is a shit hole now. Everything torn down. Nothing for anyone to do...go to Omaha. Get out of Council Bluffs before all the meth in town tempts your boredom & gets you addicted....after that, you get to lose your entire life, & ride around town on a stolen BMX style bike at all hours of the day & night! Run while you can!
This is stupid. Instead of calling this a Council Bluffs History Tour, why don't you call it what it is: a tour of CB parking lots. Then we'll know not to waste our time here.
I left CB in 1975, it was sad seeing so many of those great buildings along Broadway get bulldozed in the name of urban renewal. My parish churches were torn down, 1 grade school is gone, the other became Pizza King. And like you said, so many great places are now just parking lots. At least we have some great memories. Thanks for sharing.
It's so heartbreaking to go back and see what was once there now there no longer. Very upsetting. I know the feeling.
Wonderful collection of old photos what's current reference locations
I think you should take this video to a town council meeting and show it. So Many fabulous buildings that they tore down and built either an ugly structure or a damn parking lot. Council Bluffs has a lot of beautiful scenery, the Missouri River, the bluffs, etc. to offer and somebody with some vision could transform the city into a wonderful place to attract new businesses and population. Don't let it deteriorate like so many smaller communities have done.
Grew up in classic Council Bluffs, living there in the glorious '50s and 60's... moved away, but returned in 1979. In just that short time the beautiful town I loved as a boy as wrecked, ruined and historically thrashed. Moved away in 1985 and never went back, except to visit family and bury loved ones.
Playland park is now covered with apartments buildings. And i remember the old DQ on 17th and broadway. Had my first banana split there.
Is a lot of old stuff still in the area though? Its not all new stuff is it?
I was born and raised in Omaha. I spent many a night at Playland Park doing the rides and at the stock car races. I moved away in 1983. I visited Omaha in 2005 and toured through Council Bluffs. I even stopped at that Dairy Queen. Too bad it went bye bye for a Jimmie Johns. Great video brought back a lot of memories.
Thank you for posting this! It really brought back memories. I graduated in 1990 and was born and raised in Council Bluffs. It sure is sad to see sure historic buildings gone.
The stock car track at playland was originally a dog racing track owned by the las vegas mobster meyer lansky. He ran this in a revenue sharing deal with the city, until the state shut it down. CB has a colorful, rough and tumble past.
Absolutely recommend coming back and doing a 2021 version. This is hilarious because all the parking lots are the same lmao
I have been away from council bluffs for some time now. Thank you for taking me home again. I also lived in omaha for a several years. . It was nice to see it as well.
Loved it. The razing of all those old buildings will be a sore spot for a long time yet.
I miss the diary queen there I ate there every day after school and my dad worked at the omaha standard on Broadway. Ugh many places that should have stayed. It hurts my heart.
I love Council Bluffs, I studied there back in 2000 as an exchage student, I`m from Honduras. Good job!
I'm a local
thats too bad..
I was born in 1954 and grew up in the west end of Council Bluffs. Many good memories of riding the bike over the viaduct to go to the Stand for the Saturday matinee. Going downtown to Beno department store as kid and watching the sales clerks send money through the air tubes upstairs was fun. So many fond memories of the whole downtown experience as a kid. After high school I moved to California and then into the military from 1973 to 1977. When I was discharged I came back to Council Bluffs for a short period of time and was shocked, discussed, and sad what was done to the downtown area. The area was torn down and replaced with a horrible looking mall. It’s unfortunate that the city planners thought this was “progress” at the time and permanently altered the historical character of CB. I’m sure most of them are no longer around but left a legacy of the destruction of what was the heart and soul of a once great little town. RIP CB.
If you need a place to park or if you like Jimmy John's then Council Bluffs is your place. I was in Omaha last June for the College World Series and we drove through Council Bluffs a couple of times. My wife and I thought it was a pretty nice looking town. I wish it luck.
I miss my hometown of Council Bluffs. Arkansas is beautiful, but there's no place like home.
It had the walk-up window facing the street, with parking on the sides. I remember going there with my family as a kid and getting orange slushes - I guess that was a "new concept" back then; at least for us!
Actually, the old broncos had a car drive through the building. It was restored and is now the Great Wall... We have nice parking lots though, I am very happy that you pointed those out. Most of them sit beside a historical building that was able to be preserved and utilized. Those nice parking lots provide the space needed for the cars to park. (Much like the one you used to pop all over town.) The space was not needed in the 1800s when families primary transportation was not by cars. Thank you for coming back and visiting your home town. We hope you come again and share another video. The photos you were able to dig up are beautiful. I would love to see a then and now video of the building still used today.
it was torn down and taco bell built then the great wall took it over
Went back to see ole Council Bluffs after 40 years... Went to kindie garden and first at Washington school.. Before the mall was built across the street. The old convention center was there and my mother and us little one lived in a big apartment directly across from Washington School . more close to the old phone company next to the school..
Great video! Saw Pippi longstockings at the Strand theatre as a kid before it burned down.
thanks for this!
I dated Pippi for a short time in CB. Great memories... I think she's working as a parking lot attendant these days.
I remember the Dairy Queen and Broncos.
Bellevue, Nebraska had a Broncos where the CVS is. There was a Broncos in Omaha, I think.
I also remember the Omaha Standard.
i have been here all my life, brings back memories... thank you for the video...
This was my home town. Grow up and went to schools their. Right now I am living in Kansas City, Ks. I do miss living in Council Bluffs then where I live right now.
Man, Burgers on Broadway had KILLER fries. I miss them so much :(
Tour of Council Bluffs Parking Lot and Parks.
And the Jimmy John's
Thanks Bill . sad but true!! I hope you do another one.
@jessierex Thanks! I have a lot of fond memories from the Bluffs also. They HAVE done a good job restoring some of their buildings, which I'm glad for; but Ithink they got pretty "wrecking ball happy" in the early 1970s, however.
I grew up there in the 1960s - 1980s, and like you just go back to visit friends and relatives nowadays. I do like the way they've preserved and built up the 100-200 blocks of W. Broadway; but you're right - they tore down a lot of history. Do you remember the city auditorium? That's something I have no memories of.
Damn. Im 13 and live in Council bluffs and seeing everything that used to be here to what is here now is very heartbreaking. Like that Play land park that used to be here. I wish it was still here instead up these fudging public pools. It would have been better growing up in the old council bluffs. Also that movie theater looked pretty dope I could have taken a date there instead of AMC lmao. Amazing video tho thx for letting me see what this place used to be.
Zone Replays Thank you for your kind comments! I'm old enough to remember seeing movies inside the Strand Theater as well as the "haunted ride" at Playland Park. I've often thought how cool it would be to time travel back and explore things!
That would be pretty lit lol
I remember Playland Park from when I was a kid. I was shocked to see it had been torn down.
Yeah, it seems like the buildings that managed to survive the 1970s and early 1980s have been kept up pretty well.
They have torn down the grain elevators in the west end. Pauls Yamaha is gone, If you remember the mall on N 16th, Just north of the mall, Destroyed razed Walmart going up. Damn man, I need to get you pics! I really enjoyed this video!!
Oh no, they got the grain elevators too? As I recall, they were where highway 275 entered town.
Please tell me that they haven't torn down the Dodge House, Bayliss Park, and the old courthouse.
Phil S The old county courthouse is gone; it had foundation problems and was dismantled and parts of it were used for a new courthouse in California. Bayliss Park and the Dodge House are still going strong, however.
Great video!
This was EXCELLENT thanks for posting
I can remember buying my Kirn Jr. High gym bag in the very back of Beno's!
my mom used to work at that dairy queen. i miss that place so much
@CBPilot1 My cousin worked on the renovation of the Bennett Building (at 4th & Broadway) and said it was particularly difficult to make it ADA compliant, but managed to get it done. I could sure see where it would be a deterrent.
I believe that the statues in that burned opera were moved to the Chanticleer
any chance you have any info pictures of the Creche's Children Home 1929-1940's
Great stuff! I grew up there brought back a lot of memories thanks for posting, why do you look familiar? I attended AL, graduated in 82'.
My grandma and great aunt Milly lived there their entire lives. My dad grew up there. I was born in Des Moines 60 yrs ago.
Do you know if the 1800’s era courthouse was torn down or was it encased in modern brickwork.
I believe it was disassembled due to bad foundations and the current courthouse was built in an adjacent spot. Elements of the old building were used in a building in California, I believe.
Sounds like council bluffs is nothing but a parking lot! I'm from Omaha I used to like to go to Mall of the bluffs back in the '80s when I live there and now that's a giant big box store I'm sure.
Yes, it's all offices now (law firms, real estate, etc.). Not nearly as interesting to walk through.
Remember Kings restaurant on Broadway? You ordered using a phone in the booth?
Indeed! That was fun. Loved the onion rings and cheese frenchies. The last time I was in the Super Saver snack bar, they had an old photo of that N. Broadway King's.
I used to live in Council Bluffs till I had to move to NH when My Dad got a new job. I wondered if you knew where the old Air raid Tornado siren was placed. I knew it was on a high hill.
I'm wondering if that is the loud speaker they have atop "Lookout Point" in Fairmount Park. It's a prominent, high-up speaker, anyway...
@PWhiteproductions Yeah; where the Center Point Mall is now (on Broadway, downtown) there used to be all kinds of neat-looking old buildings. I guess nothing lasts forever!
@187sean Agreed! I still enjoy going back to visit; but they recently tore down the church I grew up in, and are closing my old grade school after this school year!
It always stinks how so many great old buildings get razed, this happens in every town I swear
Irks me that it's so much cheaper to tear it down and build something new that it is to renovate. Like these beautiful buildings could be repurposed.
Looks like a great place to live. I yearn to leave Los angeles. It's a madhouse here.
@statman29neb We'd be the same age then; I graduated from LC in '82, but before moving to the LC disctrict, went to Kirn Jr. High; if you went to Kirn we would've been there at the same time (split-shifting w/ Wilson!) Thanks for the compliments!
Man....I am blue after watching this. So much history lost. Beautiful buildings that could and should have been preserved and re-purposed. As each building is razed so dissipates the character and personality of the city. We are all poorer for that. Some cities in America were smart and ahead of their time on preservation.... Santa Fe, NM, Charleston, SC, Syracuse, NY, Hot Springs, AR, St. Augustine, FL.
well from what i just saw in the future council bluffs will just be you guessed it a parking lot.
Great info
Older buildings are hardly eyesores. If they are falling apart I see your point, but I like the looks of older buildings better than the crap they are building nowadays.
Many old memories of Playland park... Broadway CB had some of the best Christmas decorations back in 60's. So did Omaha. Very cheezy and tacky stuff these days.
@Skipper720 Thanks! Another one might not be a bad idea. (Uh - were you talking to me? My name isn't "Bill" but I've been called worse things...)
@cypher1386 Why, thank you very much!
@ks4isu I did go to Kirn during the split shift w/wilson. In fact my dad got the petition going to build the new Kirn.
I'm Mike Lange by the way.
And now, it’s a parking lot
I don't understand why Council Bluffs would be victim of old historical things being torn down... I know it's next to Omaha, but I always saw it as its own city where if you wanted to enjoy the leisure of a big city, but live in a smaller community in a different state.
This is my home town to
man, there aren't enough cars in Counciltucky to fill those lots. at least they aren't leaving the outdated buildings standing to become eyesores like Omaha. but hey, be fair. what about downtown? there are still some very nice old buildings standing. anyway, the jimmy john's vito is the bomb.
You guys got nice parking lots
so basicly every thing turned into a parking lot or jimmy johns.
@statman29neb Ok, I do remember you; I'm John Royer. I think we had 8th grade P.E. class together; maybe a few others?
i live there
It's now a parking lot
C.B. still has some cool stuff left, and they've built some good things too. Yeah, you can't beat the Midwest for affordability.
That is too bad, A city without a history has no future....
I am from CB as well. Everytime I go back it gets less and less.
Like my kids say " everything I grew up with is gone"
My grandpa burgess old number w55 of witinting and onawa iowa
This is great 😂😂
....and today....it’s a parking lot.
Tons of parking
❤
It would have been nice if the historic buildings could have been used for other purposes rather than turning the spaces into parking lots. In my opinion the real eyesores in town are the pieces of "art" foisted upon the community. Truly hideous stuff!
don't you mean council bluffs methowa
Ah damn... parking lots😑
Let me tell you something. I come from Germany and I live in Berlin. It looks no different here! What houses could the craftsmen build earlier? And something is torn down ... A shame! Our government is a disaster. Bit by bit they are abolishing European culture. And thus also our old architecture ...
Council bluffs is the stinkiest little town ive ever been to lol
Shut up and kiss me, Mario. 🦴
Now playland park is an area of dirt and garage with ugly buildings.
That city is a shit hole now. Everything torn down. Nothing for anyone to do...go to Omaha. Get out of Council Bluffs before all the meth in town tempts your boredom & gets you addicted....after that, you get to lose your entire life, & ride around town on a stolen BMX style bike at all hours of the day & night! Run while you can!
This is stupid. Instead of calling this a Council Bluffs History Tour, why don't you call it what it is: a tour of CB parking lots. Then we'll know not to waste our time here.
Your city has no sense of history, that's terrible that they tore down alot of historic bdgs!!