Father Fanagan started Boys Town in 1917 as a non-sectarian place for boys. Father Flanagan was from Ireland. He started with a home in Omaha and then a larger home and then in 1921 he was able to get a square mile property west of Omaha. They purchased Overlook Farm. Boys Town started with a large dormitory style program. Their program is now family home based with numerous small cottages. Boys Town has it own city government with elected officers from the children.
Boys Town has expanded to now include young women and girls. They also are an international affair. They have operations all over the United States. They man the National crisis hot line. From a start with a few boys
