History of Syracuse, New York, USA

1841 - FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE TERRIBLE GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION IN SYRACUSE - EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE.
We have received slips from Albany, Utica and Syracuse, giving us further particulars of the dreadful appalling disaster, which has thrown Syracuse and the nieghboring towns into the deepest gloom.
It appears that the fire broke out last Friday night, in a wooden building situated on the tow path of the Oswego Canal near the County Clerk's Office and occupied as a carpenter's shop. It also appears that from ten to fifteen, and some say twenty-five legs of powder had been stowed therin by MALCOLM and HUDSON. It was not known to the inhabitants, however, that this powder was in the building when they rushed to the fire, and hence the great destruction of life.

Soon after the people had collected, alarm was given that powder was stowed in the shop. "Powder ! Powder ! There is powder in the building !" But this cry had but a momentary effect on the crowd. The mass moved back a step, then stopped, and in a few moments the twenty-five kegs of powder blew up with one explosion,... Read MORE...

1849 - President Taylor at State Fair
There will be an encampment of citizen soldiery at Syracuse, New York, during the approaching State Fair, which President Taylor will attend. It is expected that General Taylor will review the troops in camp.

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Gloucester Telegraph
Gloucester, Massachusetts
July 4, 1849

Read more about Zachary TAYLOR

1854 - Syracuse
Syracuse, a flourishing city of Central New York, and capital of Onondaga county, is situated on the S. end of Onondaga lake, and on a creek of that name, 148 miles by railroad W. by N. from Albany, 80 miles E. by S. from Rochester, and 35 miles S. S. E. from Oswego. Lat, 43° 4' N., Ion. 76° 12' W. The site is nearly level. The city is regularly laid out, with wide, straight streets crossing each other at right angles. The principal avenues of business are lined with handsome blocks of brick and stone buildings. The city contains a public hall, which will seat 2500 persons, and is one of the best in the state. The situation being more central than that of any other large town in New York, nearly all the state conventions of the political and other associations are held here. The principal hotels are the Globe Hotel, the Syracuse House, and the Onondaga House. There are 4 Roman Catholic, and 19 Protestant churches, mixing which are 4 remarkable for architectural beauty, erected at a... Read MORE...

1865 - The milkmen of Syracuse, New York, have astonished the city by voluntarily reducing the price of milk to six cents a quart.

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Lowell Daily Citizen and News
Lowell, Massachusetts
May 11, 1865

1870 - March 24 – Syracuse University is established and officially opens.

wikipedia.org
March 24, 1870

1873 - Fortune from Shoplifting
A female shoplifter in Syracuse, New York, who has recently been pardoned out of jail, is said to have accumulated a fortune of $80,000 by stealing. It was securely invested and could not be discovered at the time of conviction.
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Macon Weekly Telegraph
Macon, Georgia
March 11, 1873

1874 - The Republicans of Syracuse, New York, have made a nice mess of it.
They have allowed the Liberals to capture their primary meetings and nominate a Liberal for the most important place on their ticket. This is an illustration of the danger to be apprehended from not attending the ward meetings. A few such lessons would be wholesome.
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Trenton State Gazette
Trenton, New Jersey
February 13, 1874

1874 - APPALLING DISASTER - LOSS OF MANY LIVES.
FALLING OF A FLOOR - A PLEASURE PARTY IN DEADLY PERIL - THE LOSS NOT YET KNOWN.

Syracuse, June 23. - An appalling catastrophe occurred here tonight. A strawberry festival was being held at the parlors of the Central Baptist Church, when, without any premonition, the floor gave way, precipitating the room full into the story below. The parlor was on the second floor, and the room underneath was also full. A fire alarm was immediately given, and the firemen hurried to the scene. Soon ten thousand people were there, and tremendous excitement prevailed.

It is impossible to give the particulars at this hour.
Five dead bodies have been taken out, and the work has hardly commenced. Probably a hundred persons are more or less injured, many very seriously.

The following are among the dead bodies recovered:
DR. E. O. WAINWRIGHT.
MRS. WAINWRIGHT.
MISS MINNIE THOMAS.
A child named OSTRANDER.
Three little girls named LEONARD, HORTON and WINNIE COLLINS.
MISS THEODORE HOLMES.
REV.... Read MORE...

1880 - Prematurely Mingled with Water.
SYRACUSE, Jan. 5. - The fifth floor of one section of the Greenway Brewing company's immense buildings gave way this morning, and in its fall carried all below it, with one man on the upper floor, and another one on the lower floor was injured, but not seriously. Seven hundred bushels of corn and wheat, 175 bales of hops, about 5,000 bushels of Canada malt and 2,000 bushels of malt dust were precipitated into Onandaga creek, and much washed away and cannot be recovered. Loss $20,000.
New Haven Evening Register
New Haven, Connecticut
January 6, 1880

1882 - Within five and a half miles of Syracuse, New York, is an Indian reservation comprising 5,950 acres of the best land in the state.
Here the Onondagas live and keep up their traditions. They will not work and by the treaty by which they hold the land, they cannot sell it. The sight of the fertile but idle acres has set the New York statesmen to work to devise some method of kicking the Indians out.
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Dallas Weekly Herald
Dallas, Texas
May 4, 1882

1890 - FATAL HOTEL FIRE.
SYRACUSE, Oct. 15. - The Leland hotel, the finest in the city, was totally destroyed by fire last night and it is feared there has been loss of life.

TWENTY-FIVE LIVES LOST.
NEW YORK, OCT. 15. - It is reported from Syracuse, that probably 25 lives were lost by the Leland house fire. Full particulars are wanting.

DETAILS OF THE HORRIBLE DISASTER.
SYRACUSE, Oct. 16. – What proved to be the most disastrous fire that has visited Syracuse for many years was discovered in the Leland hotel at 12:20 o’clock this morning. It is now 2 o’clock and the fire is burning freely, although the entire department, consisting of nine engines are working hard to save further loss of life or limb.

An eye witness of the fire says: “It is positive that at least 15 persons have lost their lives and that many more have been more or less injured. One woman was being lowered from a window by the aid of a rope. She had reached a point opposite the third story, when the rope, being ignited from a... Read MORE...

1892 - December 20 - Pneumatic automobile tire patented, Syracuse, NY

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1895 - Syracuse
Syracuse, a city and port of entry of New York, the capital of Onondaga co., is situated on the main line of the New York Central Railroad, and on the Erie and Oswego Canals, at the S. terminus of the latter, 148 miles W. by N. of Albany, and 150 miles E. of Buffalo. The railroad facilities of Syracuse extend in every direction, embracing several main lines with their branches, and affording convenient communication with all the principal cities of the state. Syracuse is a manufacturing city, its chief industry having formerly been, for more than a century, the manufacture of salt from deposits which were discovered as early as 1654 on the shores of Onondaga Lake by Jesuit missionaries from France, and which have been largely worked until the present by the state, to which they formerly yielded immense revenues. From these revenues the original cost of the Erie Canal (1817-25) was paid, but owing to the successful development of the salt industry in other localities the state... Read MORE...

1903 - ACROSS THE CONTINENT IN AN AUTOMOBILE
Two Men Travel from San Francisco to New York - Have Reached Syracuse.

Special to the New York Times.

SYRACUSE. July 23. - Dr H. Nelson Jackson of Burlington, Vt., and Sewall K. Crocker of Tacoma, Washington, arrived here tonight in an automobile on a pleasure trip from San Francisco to New York. They started out two months ago to-day, and have been on the road ever since. They carry their own camping outfit and do their own cooking. Water tanks helped them across the prairies, where they went thirty-six hours without food.

An average of 120 miles a day was made, although they were obliged to stop nineteen days at one place. The distance to cover is 6,000 miles and they count on making it in good condition. It is the first automobile trip across the Continent. They go direct to New York City and then to Vermont.
New York Times
New York, New York
July 24, 1903

Read more about Horatio Nelson JACKSON

1906
Syracuse, a city and port of delivery, capital of Onondaga co., N.Y., is situated on the New York Central and Hudson River, the West Shore and the Lackawanna Rs., 148 miles W. by N. of Albany. It is at the southern end of Onondaga Lake, which is circled by a broad boulevard, and presents a pleasing aspect in its well-shaded streets. The Erie Canal traverses the centre of the city. Among the more noteworthy buildings and institutions of a public character are the Federal building, town-hall, court house, St. Paul's and St. John's cathedrals, Museum of Fine Arts (opened in 1897), state hospital for feeble-minded children, county orphan asylum, Holden Observatory, and the various halls and college buildings of the Syracuse University (Crouse Memorial Hall, Hall of Languages, library, etc). The university, with faculties or colleges of liberal arts, fine arts, medicine, law, and applied science, has an attendance of about 2200 students. As an industrial centre Syracuse holds the fourth... Read MORE...

1924 - Hinds Killed in Race After Tribute to Geers; He Is Thrown From His Sulky at Syracuse Fair
SYRACUSE, N. Y., Sept. 8 — In full view of several thousand persons who but an hour before had bared their heads and paid silent tribute to Edward F. (Pop) Geers, the veteran driver who was killed last week on a Southern track. Tommy Hinds, himself a veteran of Grand Circuit racing, was thrown to his death in a collision between sulkies on the race track at the New York State Fair grounds here late today.

Hat in hand, with his head bowed, Hinds had been one of the Grand Circuit, drivers here for the opening day who stood in front of the grandstand to observe a moment of silence in memory of one who most of them had known as a close friend and companion. The brief tribute over, he had remained with the others to hear Lieut. Gov. George R. Lunn recall some of the outstanding events in Geers' career. Then, as Hinds swung around the one-eighth mile turn on the track, guiding Bonnie Del to a leading position, his sulky collided with Tommy Murphy's Clyde the Great and he was thrown... Read MORE...


Read more about Edward Franklin "Pop" GEERS

Syracuse is the snowiest city in the U.S., averaging 123.8 inches (314 cm) annually.

National Weather Service

2023 - Whether you're a local or just visiting, there's something for everyone. Here's a list of places to visit and activities to enjoy in Syracuse:
Destiny USA: This mega shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is one of the largest malls in the United States. You can shop at a variety of stores, enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants, or have fun at the indoor amusement park and arcade.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo: Located in Burnet Park, this zoo is home to over 700 animals from around the world. It's a great place for families and animal lovers to spend a day exploring and learning about wildlife conservation.

Erie Canal Museum: Syracuse played a significant role in the history of the Erie Canal. This museum tells the story of the canal's construction and its impact on the region. It's both educational and interesting.

Onondaga Lake Park: This scenic park offers miles of walking and biking trails, a skate park, playgrounds, and picnic areas. It's a beautiful place to enjoy some outdoor recreation and take in views of Onondaga Lake.

Everson Museum of Art: For art enthusiasts, the Everson Museum houses a diverse... Read MORE...