Homage to the Icon World-Herald Square Building: A Pillar in Our Series
Matriarchs of the Pen: A series honoring my humble journalism beginnings
Source: Omaha World-HeraldBy Josefina Loza
Every part of a journalist's journey has its own significance. While in my "Matriarchs of the Pen" series, I've been honoring the pivotal women who shaped my journalism odyssey, there are other 'silent' matriarchs who deserve their due. Buildings, places, and memories, just as influential as people, shape our stories and trajectories.
The World-Herald Square Building is one such matriarch, nurturing generations of journalists, including myself.
The Beauty of Moderne Architecture
Just as Deanna Sands with her dreamer’s spirit inspired many, this edifice, an embodiment of 1930s Moderne architecture, inspired creativity and passion in all who worked within its walls. A blend of traditionalism and modernism, this architectural gem stood as a testimony to the times, a silent witness to the evolution of journalism and the stories it bore.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Starting my journey there in September 1999, this building held my hand through my formative years as a journalist. With each step inside, the tales from the previous decades echoed in its halls. From the cornerstone laid in 1947 to the expansions over the years, the building grew and evolved just as the stories it housed.
Allow me to take you on a little nostalgia trip back to the end of the '90s.
Picture it: Fresh out of high school in '99, I landed a gig in the library of that iconic building. Just months after tossing my graduation cap in the air, there I was, walking through those doors, ready to make my mark.
Now, don't get me wrong, the front of the building was an absolute treat. That beautiful lobby, the newspaper museum, and those ever-smiling receptionists behind the large red cherry desk? Perfection. But I had a little secret love affair with the back-side door off 13th and Dodge streets.
Source: Omaha World-HeraldEvery day, as I pushed open that heavy grey door, the unmistakable scent of fresh ink would waft out. It's a smell that's just… journalism, you know? After a quick swipe of my ID badge through the turnstile, the real magic began.
Those security guards, I tell ya, they were the unsung heroes, always with a good tale or two up their sleeves. They knew everything.
My little routine included a friendly wave to the pressmen and women - those hardworking folks with ink-smudged hands and those quirky newspaper origami caps. Oh, and a fun tidbit? Sometimes they'd craft one of those caps for me! It'd sit proudly at my desk, slowly turning into a paperclip haven.
Then, I’d walk down that familiar long hallway, making my way up the stairwell, ready to dive into another day's work in the newsroom library.
Memories like these remind me that journalism isn’t just about the stories we read; it's also about the stories we live, the people we meet, and the indelible marks they leave on our hearts.
An Era Ends, But Memories Remain
With all its architectural charm and historic significance, it was the soul of the building that resonated the most. Though the old building eventually gave way to time, its spirit remains indomitable. The same spirit that flows through this series, honoring the matriarchs that have molded us.
Tying It All Together
The World-Herald Square Building was more than just a structure; it was a matriarch of memories, experiences, and lessons. Its place in the "Matriarchs of the Pen" series is undebatable, for it played a silent yet significant role in shaping the careers and stories of many journalists. The pillars of journalism aren’t just the pioneering individuals but also the spaces that harbor them, nurture them and stand as monuments to their efforts.
By placing this homage to the World-Herald Square Building in the "Matriarchs of the Pen" series, we're not just recognizing influential people, but also the influential places that housed and fostered their growth.