Historical Tidbits

1895 Ak-Sar-Ben founded; first coronation and ball
1898 First Ak-Sar-Ben electrical parade
1904 Ak-Sar-Ben den building purchased by Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben
1919 200 acres at future location of Ak-Sar-Ben at 63rd & Pacific purchased; harness races initiated
1927 Ak-Sar-Ben den destroyed by fire
1931 Rodeo inaugurated
1937 Catastrophic fire at Ak-Sar-Ben horse barn
1938 Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben purchase Douglas street bridge
1942 War effort prompts cancellation of coronation
1945 Races resume at Ak-Sar-Ben after a two year hiatus for the War
1947 Douglas Street and South Omaha bridges paid for and become toll free
1949 New main entrance built at 63rd Street
1954 Centennial of Omaha revives electrical parade
1957 Grand concourse is constructed
1962 Festival of faith held with 1,200 member choir
1966 Coliseum is remodeled; new color theme chosen of blue & white
1970 First increase in membership dues in 75 years to $12.00
1982 All time record high membership of 71,635
1986 Ak-Sar-Ben loses state monopoly on horse racing
1995 Ak-Sar-Ben closes horse racing facility
2004 Coliseum demolished