“Hummel Park was the location of the very first European settlement in Nebraska, a trading post operated by one Manuel Lisa, a fur trade pioneer and a man well connected to larger events and individuals. Lisa was a Spanish gentleman born in New Orleans who later operated out of St. Louis. His exploits connected him with many of the movers and shakers of his time, as well as representatives of the French, English, Spanish, and American governments. If you wanted to get into the subject of bloodlines, several bloodlines of prominence intersected with Lisa’s life. His biggest competitor was an Astor, he had dealings with the various European monarchs, and the first steamboat to travel up the river was destined for his trading post. The captain went by the middle name of Harriman, a family well connected to Omaha and the Bush family.

The park is named after an Omaha parks director named Hummel, who seemed to wage a war for decency in Omaha’s parks (public affection, the length of women’s skirts, etc….). It should also probably be noted that the US military used Hummel Park, ostensibly for hot air balloon research (a presence still seen today in the form of a US government installation of some sort in the southwest corner of the park). According to local rumour, the park was a favored area for Prohibition murders, but I have not yet researched the older history of the park. There was a strange axe attack on some airmen who were parked up there with their girlfriends in the fifties, and more than a few murders there in the 80’s and 90’s, most recently Amber Harris, as you mentioned.

 Kenyatta Bush, murdered on the fall equinox, was also found nearby….”