Dr. Samuel D. Mercer House

The Dr. Samuel D. Mercer House is a red brick mansion in Walnut Hill featuring a distinctive three-story square tower above the main entrance on the south side. The building contains 23 rooms and was later divided into multiple apartment units while remaining a focal point of the neighborhood.

Built in 1885 by Samuel Mercer, chief surgeon of the Union Pacific Railroad, the house represents a period of significant growth in Omaha. Mercer also founded the city's first hospital and contributed to urban development by platting the surrounding neighborhood.

The residence reflects how wealthy city residents of the late 1800s used their homes to display their social standing and prosperity. Its ornate design and spacious layout show how successful doctors lived during the era when Omaha was rapidly expanding.

The house is visible and accessible from outside in an established residential neighborhood with regular infrastructure. Visitors should note that the building is currently divided into apartments, so interior tours may not always be available.

The property stands at the center of a district that Mercer himself platted, with former streetcar stops positioned nearby during the 1880s. This connection to Omaha's early infrastructure shows how the neighborhood's development was intertwined with the transportation systems of that era.

Location: Nebraska

GPS coordinates: 41.26850,-95.97211

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:42