From California Pharmacy to California Tacos & More, the building at the intersection of 33rd and California has served as the anchor of the Gifford Park neighborhood for more than a century.
Built by the Bogard family, they were among the first Belgian settlers to land in Omaha. Remi Vanden Bogaerde was the pioneer of the family, and after his arrival, he sent for his four brothers, three sisters, and parents, Henry and Louise. Upon their arrival, the family changed their surname to the Americanized Bogard.
According to the Omaha World-Herald, there were about 20 Belgian immigrants in the area at the time, all of whom settled in South Omaha with the exception of the Bogards. Instead, they moved to the Gifford Park neighborhood where they made a name for themselves.
Three of Remi’s brothers, Frank, an engineer; Paul, a contractor; and Remi, a builder who built and owned several homes and buildings, constructed a corner store at 33rd and California Street. Frank returned to his native country in 1910 to marry his bride, Emilie DeVolge. Just four years later, the Bogard brothers built the store at 3229 California Street that became home to Wohlner’s Grocery as well as California Pharmacy…