What’s Left Of A Long-Lost Nebraska Theme Park Hidden In Plain Sight

Peony Park was a beloved amusement park in Omaha, Nebraska, that entertained families for 75 years before closing in 1994. Most of the 35-acre site was demolished to make room for shopping centers and apartments, erasing nearly all traces of the roller coasters, ballrooms, and swimming pools that once thrilled visitors.

However, a few remnants and memories still linger in the area, quietly reminding locals of the magic that once existed at 78th and Cass Streets.

1. The Former Keno Parlor Building

Standing tall at 79th and Cass, this building is the most important physical survivor from Peony Park’s glory days. Originally constructed as the Plaza Theater, it provided entertainment for park visitors who wanted a break from the rides and games.

After the park’s heyday, the structure was converted into a Keno parlor before the entire complex shut down. Today, it remains in active commercial use, serving as a living link to the past.

Walking past this building, you can almost hear the echoes of laughter and music from decades ago when families flocked here for summer fun.

2. A Short Section of Original Fence

Property developers left behind a small piece of the original perimeter fence as a symbolic nod to history. This humble segment of metal and posts might not look like much, but it represents the boundary that once separated everyday life from the excitement within.

For decades, this fence kept the magic inside and the outside world at bay. Children pressed their faces against it, dreaming of the rides they would experience once inside.

Now, it stands quietly as a memorial, reminding passersby that something special once existed here.

3. The Name Peony Village Apartments

Built directly on the site where baseball fields and carnival attractions once stood, this apartment complex carries forward the park’s legacy through its name. Peony Village Apartments ensures that every resident and visitor knows the ground beneath them has a colorful history.

The developers chose to honor the past rather than erase it completely. By keeping the Peony name alive, they created a bridge between generations of Omahans.

Residents today might not ride roller coasters, but they live where thousands once screamed with joy on thrilling rides.

4. The Name Peony Park Hy-Vee

Shopping for groceries takes on new meaning when the store itself commemorates a legendary amusement park. The Hy-Vee built on this site officially uses Peony Park in its name, making every shopping trip a subtle history lesson.

Customers pushing carts down the aisles are walking where families once strolled past game booths and food stands. The grocery chain recognized the cultural importance of preserving this connection to Omaha’s past.

Every receipt printed here carries the Peony Park name, keeping the memory alive one transaction at a time.

5. Historical Wall of Photographs Inside Hy-Vee

Step into the dining area of this Hy-Vee, and you’ll discover an unexpected treasure: a wall covered with historic photographs and memorabilia from Peony Park’s operational years. Black-and-white images show smiling families, towering rides, and packed dance floors from decades past.

This informal museum gives shoppers a chance to pause and remember, or for younger visitors, to learn what once stood here. The display serves as a conversation starter between grandparents and grandchildren.

It transforms a routine grocery run into a meaningful encounter with local history.

6. The Street Layout at 78th and Cass

Geography itself preserves the park’s memory through the major roads that still mark where Peony Park once operated. The intersection of 78th and Cass Streets serves as permanent coordinates in the city’s landscape, anchoring the lost park in physical space.

Maps and GPS systems guide people to this location without knowing they’re directing them to a vanished wonderland. Every driver passing through unknowingly crosses ground where roller coasters once roared.

These streets ensure that Peony Park remains fixed in Omaha’s geographical memory forever.

7. The Park’s Roots: From Farmhouse To Peonies

The Malec family, who founded the amusement park, had an original farmhouse on their property. This structure, along with the adjacent peony gardens of Carl Rosenfield, provides a historical link to the park’s beginnings as a family-owned business. The park’s name was inspired by Rosenfield’s famous peonies, which were a popular roadside attraction on the Lincoln Highway even before the amusement rides were added. The preservation of this link helps anchor the park’s namesake to the neighborhood’s deeper agricultural roots.

8. Archival Collections and Books

Local historians like C.D. Jennings have dedicated themselves to preserving Peony Park’s story through carefully researched books and archived photographs. These collections capture the park in its prime, documenting everything from the Royal Terrace Ballroom to the legendary swimming pool.

Libraries and historical societies maintain these materials, ensuring future generations can experience the park through images and stories. The written word becomes a time machine.

These books allow the park to live on in a different form, accessible to anyone curious about Omaha’s entertainment history.

9. Generational Nostalgia and Collective Memory

Perhaps the most powerful remnant isn’t something you can see or touch, it’s the memories carried by millions who visited over 75 years. Every time Omahans drive past 78th and Cass, they’re traveling through layers of personal history.

Grandparents tell grandchildren about first dates at the dance hall, parents recall birthday parties, and everyone remembers the massive pool. The land itself holds countless invisible stories.

This collective memory transforms an ordinary commercial district into sacred ground for those who remember the laughter that once filled the air.

10. The Massive Swimming Pool Foundation

Buried beneath layers of dirt and new construction lies the concrete foundation of what was once one of the Midwest’s largest outdoor swimming pools. Back in its heyday, thousands of swimmers splashed through the crystal-clear waters during scorching Nebraska summers, making memories that would last a lifetime.

Construction crews occasionally uncover pieces of the old pool deck when digging in the area. These concrete slabs, still remarkably intact, show the impressive engineering that went into building such a massive recreational facility decades ago.

Local historians have documented the pool’s exact location, and some longtime residents can still point out where the diving boards once stood tall against the summer sky.