Upstream Metropolis: An Urban Biography of Omaha and Council Bluffs (Bison Original)

From its birth as interdependent towns on the Missouri River frontier to its emergence as a metropolis straddling two states, Omaha–Council Bluffs has been one of the great urban construction projects in the nation’s history. Upstream Metropolis provides the first comprehensive history of this unique urban region that ranks 60th among the 370 major metropolitan areas in the United States. Drawing on local newspapers and historical archives, the authors deliver an anecdote-rich account of how and why a large metropolitan area developed in this spot. They also explain why it grew so big—and no bigger—but could never have remained two small towns. Upstream Metropolis is an urban biography of the highest order, tracing the lives of two cities, which though divided by a river, the problems of a state line, and inevitable rivalry, have always been inextricably linked. This discussion moves from the freewheeling frontier days to the times of farming and railroads, examining influences such as the populist movement, the meatpacking industry, immigration, and ethnicity. The highly readable result is a pioneering contribution to the history of urbanization in America. (20080901)

from Its Birth As Interdependent Towns On The Missouri River Frontier To Its Emergence As A Metropolis Straddling Two States, Omaha–council Bluffs Has Been One Of The Great Urban Construction Projects In The Nation’s History. upstream Metropolis Provides The First Comprehensive History Of This Unique Urban Region That Ranks 60th Among The 370 Major Metropolitan Areas In The United States. Drawing On Local Newspapers And Historical Archives, The Authors Deliver An Anecdote-rich Account Of How And Why A Large Metropolitan Area Developed In This Spot. They Also Explain Why It Grew So Big—and No Bigger—but Could Never Have Remained Two Small Towns.

 

upstream Metropolis Is An Urban Biography Of The Highest Order, Tracing The Lives Of Two Cities, Which Though Divided By A River, The Problems Of A State Line, And Inevitable Rivalry, Have Always Been Inextricably Linked. This Discussion Moves From The Freewheeling Frontier Days To The Times Of Farming And Railroads, Examining Influences Such As The Populist Movement, The Meatpacking Industry, Immigration, And Ethnicity.  The Highly Readable Result Is A Pioneering Contribution To The History Of Urbanization In America.

the Annals Of Iowa

given The Significance Of The Omaha-council Bluffs Metropolis, This New Volume Should Prove A Valuable Resource To Anyone Interested In The Urban Midwest.

— Jon C. Teaford, The Annals Of Iowa

"From its birth as interdependent towns on the Missouri River frontier to its emergence as a metropolis straddling two states, Omaha-Council Bluffs has been one of the great urban construction projects in the nation's history. Upstream Metropolis provides the first comprehensive history of this unique urban region that ranks 60th among the 370 major metropolitan areas in the United States. Drawing on local newspapers and historical archives, the authors deliver an anecdote-rich account of how and why a large metropolitan area developed in this spot. They also explain why it grew so big - and no bigger - but could never have remained two small towns." "Upstream Metropolis is an urban biography of the highest order, tracing the lives of two cities, which though divided by a river, the problems of a state line, and inevitable rivalry, have always been inextricably linked. This discussion moves from the freewheeling frontier days to the times of farming and railroads, examining influences such as the populist movement, the meatpacking industry, immigration, and ethnicity. The highly readable result is a pioneering contribution to the history of urbanization in America."--BOOK JACKET. "Being a man, like being a woman, is something you have to learn," Aaron Raz Link remarks. Few would know this better than the coauthor of What Becomes You, who began life as a girl named Sarah and twenty-nine years later began life anew as a gay man