Thanks to a very prolific frontier artist by the name of George Simons, Council Bluffs and Omaha have a much better idea than most places as to just what the cities looked like in their earliest days.

This short video gives a brief background of the artist and provides some Then and Now comparisons from his sketches and paintings and what those same areas appear like today.

If you'd like to see the actual Simons works, "Council Bluffs History Through Art;" is a free exhibit at the Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center.  The exhibit goes through the end of the year; due to COVID admission numbers are restricted, so call ahead for a reservation: (712) 890-5601.