Her best angle is straight on, where she is viewed, perched at a heightened elevation above Dodge, her ten old-timey steps and rickety handrail, the only guide to her distant front porch.

Oh the things I would do to spiff her up! I would restore her to her former state of evident glory. 1920s? 1930s? 1940s? I couldn’t place her arrival time.

In my years of making the tour of both Dodge Street and the 69^th Street turn, I had never seen a human inhabitant of 6852 Dodge, although it was plain her people were tinkering about just out of view. All the same, having observed her for that amount of time, one would think one might catch a glimpse of a human now and again. I dreamed an older couple had lived there for fifty decades. The lady of the house wore perfumes and an elaborate, vintage coiffure, maintaining the thick, metal, Venetian blinds and curtains drawn tightly, while the gentleman shuffled about in the softest brown leather slippers and a maroon robe adorned with a lengthy, silken tassel. They smoked cigarettes and played 78s. There were many odd and fabulous things going on inside and out, one just had to imagine them. You’ve surely noticed 6852 Dodge and thought the same.

Several months ago, I discovered a sign in her yard signifying that she was on the market and I sped home to have a peek online. I was intrigued by numerous original features I discovered there, although disheartened by certain contemporary modifications that appeared only cosmetic, thank Thomas Rogers Kimball. The whole experience was surprising because I thought the house, by its outward appearances, would be much more formal inside. I eventually discovered that 6852 Dodge was much younger than I had assessed her to be, and that explained it all.

The Cold Facts

LOCATION: 6852 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68132

SUBDIVISION: Fairacres Addition

PROPERTY TYPE: Single family residence

Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, three fireplaces, attached garage.

CONSTRUCTION: Brick

YEAR BUILT: 1947

SQUARE FEET: Total structure area: 3,968 sqft; total interior livable area: 3,253 sqft approximately

LOT SIZE: 0.35 Acre

PRICE: $374,999

MSL: #22422008

LISTING AGENT/COMPANY:

Jeffrey Rensch M: 402-677-5333, NP Dodge RE Sales Inc 86Dodge,

Ali Rensch McBride, NP Dodge RE Sales Inc 86Dodge

Source: NP Dodge Real Estate

Summary from NP Dodge Real Estate:

“Discover a unique opportunity in the desirable Fairacres neighborhood! This well-maintained R6-zoned property offers flexibility for both investment and personal use. With an assessed value exceeding the current list price, it presents exceptional value at its price per square foot. The spacious layout features charming details and ample natural light, making it ideal for families or potential renters. Enjoy being just moments away from local amenities and vibrant community life. Whether you envision a cozy home or a lucrative investment, this property is a rare find in a sought-after area. Don’t miss out on the chance to make this versatile gem yours! AMA”

Zillow site: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6852-Dodge-St-Omaha-NE-68132/75815159_zpid/

All professional photographs were taken by the good people at NP Dodge Real Estate; they are not responsible for the not so beautiful photos.

The home has a southern facing elevation. Palladian window above the door.

Camera at a western angle. Dodge Street can be seen on the left side of the image. Weathered fence and shed can be seen on the right side of the photo.

There is an east facing door on the above sunporch-balcony space, blocked by the tree branch and leaves.

Iron porch railing appears original.

Significant benefits could be derived from planting gorgeous shrubs and removing the red-hued mulch from around the red brick house. I can see it now!

The west side of the home is where things get a bit unusual.

The west facing sun porch-balcony can be viewed above. Wouldn’t that be fun?

A door, perhaps originating from the kitchen, has been bricked up. (Every old home possesses a kitchen entrance.) Perhaps there was another side porch or simple stairs originally. There may have been an additional side porch or basic staircase initially. The peculiar aspect arises from the exaggerated, heavy, awning over the lower-level door and the puny little columns, all of which are misaligned. It seems they made these poor decisions due to the garage door and an additional window on the right. In my assessment, the brick driveway walls and the impressive pillars are original. The brick stairwell may be older as well, and subsequent owners might have attempted to integrate the brick stair walls with the awning and columns. Another assumption might be that there was a second garage door where the lower level door is now located. Is anyone else wondering where the second garage space is? Maybe the garage must be used in tandem.

The wide deck extends across the back of the home.

Camera faces north into the living room. I am seeing deliciousness. I would have preferred the original wooden floor. Not a fan of gray on this scale but this is fixable. I love the 1940’s archways. I love the layout. I love the fireplace—just wait until you see it’s a double, sharing the fireplace with the family room, on the north side. I love the pair of fifteen glass pane doors leading into the family room.

I did not include kitchen or bathroom photos as they were upsetting.

I do struggle with popcorn ceilings but I am possibly the only one. Perfect 1940’s stairwell, hints at art deco  minus the ironwork and frills.

Thank you for keeping the basement door and its hardware. A+

Let’s all stop buying ceiling lights from Lowe’s. Brilliant door bell chimes. I adore that they are hanging in the dining room and am reminded of my childhood home where very similar bells hung in the hallway. I am a big fan of keeping swinging kitchen doors. The gray walls with this flooring…There is a lot that could be done to help his room.

This is the rear side of the twin fireplace. Very cute. This photograph of the expansive room illustrates the family area now integrated with the kitchen. I infer that a wall was removed because of the proximity of the two exterior doors. There is a kitchen just out of view on the west side of the home. Great functional space for today’s family and those who like an open floor plan.

This is the upper-level bedroom with access to the sunporch via a door. I am uncertain about the previous usage of this room concerning the moving barn doors and ceiling light.

My Field Notes

6852 Dodge Street carries a legal name of “Fairacres Addition, Lot 9 Block 0 IRR W 108.3 S 150 ft.”

Build date is logged with the deeds office as 1947. Was this surprising to anyone else? The formal exterior could easily have been from an earlier time. The interior was solidly minimal traditional 1940s.

My brief inquiry revealed George & Company was the real estate corporation behind the development of Fairacres, Dundee and Happy Hollow additions. The first addition was said to overlook the original Happy Hollow Country Club (now Memorial Park, offer a beautiful view of Elmwood Park, and boasted of a close proximity to Lincoln Highway, to the south. This highway is now known as Dodge Street. Dundee was annexed into Omaha in 1915. Considered an exclusive residential district, Fairacres, years later, would oddly be described as roughly bounded by Dodge Street, North 62nd Street, California Street, Fairacres Road, and North 68th Street. But as this plat map reveals, initially Fairacres included 6852 Dodge, the northern lots along 69th Street, all the way to Burt on the north.

Fairacres plat map. The homes that were constructed by 1936 are depicted with their footprint above.

Our 6852 Dodge, not yet built at the time this plat map was drafted, is located in Lot 9.  Originally Lot 9 was two joined parcels. If I am reading these notes correctly, the western most parcel was 1.52 acres and the eastern portion was 1.20 acres. Given that 6852 Dodge currently occupies 0.35 acres, it is evident that alterations to the boundaries have occurred throughout time.

Fairacres today includes the same perimeters as the plat map shown above. One can also see the price points of the other homes currently for sale in this exclusive neighborhood. Our 69th and Dodge Street obsession is not only a remarkable home, but a great bargain, considering who she rubs shoulders with.

In the 1920s Byrd Nurseries were just west of Fairacres on the other side of 69^th Street. They had also developed the Westover Addition “Adjoining Fairacres on Lincoln Highway” and were able to sell you a lot in their development or a perennial. During the late 1920s, numerous lots were up for sale in Fairacres, located at the northeast corner of 69th and Dodge. The paving, gas, and water infrastructure had already been installed. E. W. Kotlerman acquired a significant section of the northeast corner in 1932.

Interestingly the Byrd Nurseries remained on the northwest corner of 69^th and Dodge but by 1935 Scottishman, Bill Bathie’s Fairacres Driving Range located to the area—also said to be at 69^th and Dodge but a year later “Omaha’s largest golf driving course” was up for sale. By 1939, Keith Brown would either renovate the grounds or establish his Fairacres Archery Range nearby, which intriguingly operated from 3:00 PM to midnight daily.

May 14, 1937. The Omaha Evening Bee News. Myrtle R. Griffiths sold Lot 9 (the future home of our 6852 Dodge Street) to Kenneth F. Reed. Ms. Griffiths was buying numerous lots in this time period. In the 1935 City Directory Kenneth F. Reed was married to Arminta Reed; the couple lived at 319 North 48^th Street, at least until 1939. Reed was vice president of Hastings & Heyden. Like Mrs. Griffiths, he had large real estate investments and I ultimately ruled him out as ever wanting to live at the corner of 69th and Dodge.

Enter Stage Right, Mr. Caul/Mr. Coul

It is important to note that the Couls purchased only a portion of Lot 9, which may explain the present boundaries.

The Evening World-Herald exposed in May 22, 1945 that Mr. and Mrs. John Coul filed for a building permit for our obsession at 6852 Dodge Street.

The residence at 6852 Dodge Street seemed to possess an alternative address during its construction. That or the Couls were constructing another residence in close proximity.

November 7, 1945. Evening World-Herald. John B. Cowl would turn out to be our John B. Coul-Caul. 212 South 25th Street would be revealed as his home residence later.

The 1946 City Directory show John B. Coul and wife Mabelle living at 6738 Dodge Street. The couple, according to other archives, truly lived at 212 South 25th. I believe this 6738 Dodge address was really our 69th and Dodge Street, site of our home investigation.

August of 1948. Omaha World-Herald.

By August of 1948 I discovered the 6852 Dodge Street home had already been built right under my nose. A small advertisement read: “Owner will consider smaller property in exchange for this most extraordinary new 8-room brick bungalow built by master brick mason of solid masonry construction throughout—has extra ground to the read if wanted with a wonderful view—has 8 rooms including 6 rooms and tile bath downstairs—2 fine rooms and bath upstairs—wonderful basement—2 car garage. Let us give you particulars and show inside. Can finish to suit.”

Constructed by a master brick mason and that it could be finished to suit were the big takeaways. It was unfinished. Also the owner, presumably the mason, needed out from under.

But still, it itched at me. Why was 1947 the build date with the city? We now know it was built but possibly not even truly finished by August of 1948.

Additionally City Planning included 6852 Dodge Street in their great Historic Properties and Surveys website. They listed the home built c 1945. Two or three years off wasn’t much but I wondered what information they had.  Now, considering the other possible address (6738 Dodge Street) and that Mr. Coul was building the home at the time that the tools were stolen in 1945, this very well might be the accurate year.  Their notes read:  “2S, brick, hip roof, rectangular plan, replacement multi-light windows, front porch w/ columns, concrete coursing, interior chimney, basement garage, side portico, brick header crowns and concrete sills, brick wings flanking main mass. Mead & Hunt 1/09.” The Reconnaissance Survey Photos of 2009 follow.

This is much how the home has always looked since I have been obsessing. Note the ironwork railing is missing from the above balconies in these images. Thanks to Shelley McCafferty for allowing me to use these photographs and info.

The Mystery Mason

In October of 1948 the pleading for a sale continued and described the upper bedroom as a “beautiful living unit with two rooms,” which I found strange. Does that imply it could be rented out? In April of 1949 the advertisements admitted 6852 Dodge had sadly “never been occupied.” That it Must Be Sold. “Upstairs is a feature with 2 room suite and bath and fine airing or sun porch.” The home boasted of radiant hot water heat, a playroom in the basement and a two-car garage. “It can be bought at least $5,000 less than cost” and that the new owners could choose their own decorations. It was all too sad. What was going on and why couldn’t it sell?

In July 1949, the a sliver of truth was revealed succinctly. “Contractor lost his wife—sacrificing on this fine solid brick home (…) Decorate to suit yourself. Submit offer.” By then the price was down to $22,500.

According to the 1930 United States Census, 36-year-old John B. Caul was born in Missouri in about 1894. His parents were from Scotland. At the time of the census, Mr. Caul was a mason bricklayer working in Omaha. His wife, Mabelle was 40 years old and they had married two years prior. Although they rented, the Cauls managed a rooming house at 212 South 25^th Street. Mabelle was the rooming housekeeper and this arrangement possibly paid for their lodging.

March 28, 1939. Evening World-Herald.

June 7, 1946. The Unionist. 

At the time of the 1950 Census, John Caul had become landlord of the 212 South 25^th Street boarding house and was a 55 year old widower. This aligned with the story of her demise. I could not find Mabelle or any spin off spelling of Mabelle. If anyone can find her or what happened to cause her death in the 1945-1947 time period, I would be so grateful. John Caul remarried a woman by the name of Alyce at the time of the 1953 Omaha City Directory; the couple continued to live at 210-212 South 25^th.

**Addendum of October 23, 2024**

June 24, 1949. OWH. Death of Mabelle Frances Coul.

Mr. Caul either operated these apartment buildings or something very near these.

This prompted me to consider whether Mr. Caul needed to stop building or alter his design of 6852 Dodge. It would be interesting to know of his architectural intentions, how the house might have been presented to the buying public in 1948 and decades into the future, had he not encountered tragedy. As positive as I am about the potential for change, often early indication seem to set a “story” in motion. I have found this again and again in investigating houses. That being said, other characteristics of 6852 Dodge that could be seen as negative factors are the heavy traffic, driveway visibility/safety concerns and for some, the property grade/siting could be a deterrent.

The McDermott Family

In September of 1949 Mr. John B. Caul sold the home of his design at 6852 Dodge Street to the McDermott family.

September 17, 1949. Evening World-Herald. 

Joseph “Joe” Richard McDermott was born in 1921. He had lived with his mother, Mary Ellen Maloney McDermott and brother Larry in Lincoln and was said to have come from a “very Irish family.” Noted for his showmanship, Joe was a retail natural. Ada Belle Barta was born in 1922, raised a Nebraska farm girl in Steel City and Wilber. Ada later helped her mother manage the historic Wilber Hotel. While a student at the University of Nebraska, Ada met Joe. The two married in 1942 and later had sons Michael and Patrick. Following a promotion, Joe relocated the family to Omaha in 1947 to oversee Rank’s Army Surplus store, where he refined his advertising and marketing talents.

Joseph Richard McDermott in his 1939 Lincoln High yearbook. Ada Bella Barta McDermott as seen in 1957. Pretty, pretty, pretty.

The J. R. McDermott family moved from 4107 Lafayette Ave to 6852 Dodge Street in November of 1949. The home had its first-time occupants.

Looking northeast at about 68th & Dodge Street. There is a large billboard advertising the Rosen-Novak dealership. There is a single house at the top of the hill. That house is our 6852 Dodge Street. Bostwick, Louis (1868-1943) and Frohardt, Homer (1885-1972). Note the fields behind the billboard. That was Byrd NurseriesJo that we read about earlier.

Magnified. Oh our lovely 6852 Dodge. Fascinating. There is that side door with the steps along the home. The front yard is not nearly as high above Dodge Street, which is brick.

I had to back out to get my bearing. Yes, indeed, the Dodge Street road is almost level with the front lawn of 6852 Dodge. They must have widened the road and dug into it, creating the elevation. Oh doesn’t she look pretty?

In 1953 the McDermotts took in Lucky and Tiny, a pair of white ducks. Father Joe had won the one day old ducks in a nickel toss game at a rodeo. The ducks works on the affections of Michael, then age 10 and Patrick, 9.  6852 Dodge became known for this little pair of ducks running the yard, being kept out of Dodge Street by the McDermott dog, Skippy. Mrs. McDermott and the home of our obsession was also known for its lovely tulips in the spring. In time Joe’s mother, Mary, would move into the home as well.

The Neighbors

In 1952, a resident of Omaha petitioned the City Council to install traffic signals at the intersection of 69th and Dodge, supported by 161 signatures from local residents advocating for the installation. The position was that there was nothing to slow the flow of traffic between the traffic light at Elmwood Road and 72nd Street. It was not hard to find many vehicle accidents in this area.

July of 1954. Omaha World-Herald. What had probably been a great open lot for children and/ or the nursery on the opposing northwest corner from the McDermott’s was being developed into a posh MCM hotel. The photo below shows what would be built. 6930 Dodge Street would become home to the Town House Hotel. I have written of this hotel in other investigations.

In 1955, Mr. McDermott and 120 residents united to sign a petition opposing the liquor license application submitted by the Town House Hotel.

The Town House Hotel at 6930 Dodge, later changed to the catchy 7000 Dodge Street. The view is looking west on Dodge Street from about 69th Street. Signage for the Safeways and Hinky-Dinky grocery stores can be seen in the background. 1963. John Savage. I think the tornado would destroy Townhouse.

In 1956 Mr. McDermott stated publicly that the Town House Hotel were “good neighbors” but by 1957 the McDermotts sold their house at 6852 Dodge and moved to 901 South 87^th Street.

1962 image. The Sinclair filling station is at the northwest corner of 69th and Dodge, directly across the 69th from the 6852 Dodge house. Photographer: Robert Paskach.  Note the For Rent sign in the elevated yard of 6852 Dodge.

The two photos alone are quite a shocker compared to the earlier image of desolate bricked Lincoln Highway. To think what a decade would do to this area.

6852 Dodge would become a rental house for decades to follow. I found so many owners and renters that I could not keep track. And you are glad to know that this is not that kind of deep dig anyway. I hope that a wonderful owner can find its way to 6852 Dodge and make her into the regal girl next door she was intended to be.

The rest of the story: In the early 1960s, Joe and Ada McDermott established Loveland Lawns, marketing grass seed and fertilizer from their garage in the little green house located at 9816 F Street, Omaha, NE. Two decades later, the Loveland Warehouse emerged as the preeminent wholesaler of lawn and garden products west of Chicago. Ada served as an administrator, bookkeeper, and organizer, augmenting Joe’s salesmanship. Mr. McDermott died in 2010 and Mrs. McDermott passed away in 2016.

I welcome your feedback and comments on this fascinating Omaha landmark. Let’s hear it for 6852 Dodge and the 69^th and Dodge neighborhood, its history of owners and the gorgeous homes that remain. Please share your additional clues to the story in the “Comments,” as we know more together. Everyone would love to read what you have to say and it makes the sharing of Omaha history more fun. You can use an anonymous smokescreen name if need be. We want to hear from you.

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The other better known Monticello.

Omaha’s larger Monticello at 9441 Shamrock Road. Go have a looks!

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