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flag  History of Oneonta, New York, USA

Journey back in time to Oneonta, New York, USA

Visit Oneonta, New York, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.

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Oneonta, New York, USA - Main Street, Oneonta, N.Y.

Oneonta, Otsego, New York, USA

Oneonta was first known as McDonald's Mills. Beginning in 1817, it became Milfordville. It wasn't until 1830 that the township of Oneonta was formed.

www.oneontahistorian.com

There is MUCH more to discover about Oneonta, New York, USA. Read on!

Oneonta Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Main Street, Oneonta, N.Y.
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Main Street, Oneonta, N.Y.
Main Street above Maple, Oneonta, N.Y. (1907)
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Main Street above Maple, Oneonta, N.Y. (1907)
Birdseye View of Oneonta, N.Y. from Armory Tower, 1907
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Birdseye View of Oneonta, N.Y. from Armory Tower, 1907
Municipal Building
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Municipal Building
D. & H. Round House
Oneonta, New York, USA

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D. & H. Round House
State Normal School
Oneonta, New York, USA

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State Normal School
Municipal Building and Westcott Block, 1909
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Municipal Building and Westcott Block, 1909
Center Street School, Oneonta, N.Y.
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Center Street School, Oneonta, N.Y.
Broad Street, from Depot
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Broad Street, from Depot
Central Hotel, 1910
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Central Hotel, 1910
D. & H. Depot
Oneonta, New York, USA

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D. & H. Depot
View on Electric Lake
Oneonta, New York, USA

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View on Electric Lake
First Baptist Church and Chestnut Street
Oneonta, New York, USA

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First Baptist Church and Chestnut Street
Main Street River Bridge, 1910
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Main Street River Bridge, 1910
Discover you family history through historical newspapers at Newspapers.com
Fox Memorial Hospital, 1912
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Fox Memorial Hospital, 1912
M. N. Elwell & Son.
Dealers in Flour, Feed & Meal
Oneonta, New York, USA

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M. N. Elwell & Son.
Dealers in Flour, Feed & Meal
Chestnut Street and Methodist Church, 1914
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Chestnut Street and Methodist Church, 1914

Oneonta, New York, USA

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"The Oneonta" Hotel
Oneonta High School
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Oneonta High School
Public Library, 1922
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Public Library, 1922
Oneonta State Teachers College
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Oneonta State Teachers College
Presbyterian Church and Parsonage
Oneonta, New York, USA

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Presbyterian Church and Parsonage

Discover Oneonta: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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1854 - Oneonta
Oneonta, a post-township in the S. part of Otsego co., New York. Population, 1902.

Oneonta, a post-village in the above town ship, on the Susquehanna river, about 75 miles W. S. W. from Albany. It contains several churches and factories. Population estimated at 500.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1881 - A GREAT FIRE IN A SMALL TOWN. ONEONTA'S PRINCIPAL BUSINESS HOUSES DESTROYED - THE LOSS $50,000.
ONEONTA, N. Y., July 27. - The largest conflagration which has been seen in Oneonta for years broke out at 3:45 this morning in the drug store of N. J. Ford, at No. 162 Main-street. A prompt alarm was sounded, but it was over half an hour before the department got a stream on the blaze. In the meantime the fire was raging vigorously inside the building, and breaking through the roof, had communicated with the roof of Willahan's bakery, which adjoined on the south side. It also communicated with the stone store on the corner of Broad and Main streets, occupied by Bristol & Reynolds, the grocers. After the streamer began to work, 15 minutes sufficed to exhaust the water supply, and it was found necessary to remove the engine to a small pond several blocks above the town. While this was being done the flames spread with lightning rapidity, and burned through the roof of Bristol & Reynold's store before the water could be brought to bear upon them. The solid masonry walls of Cutler &... Read MORE...

1894 - A STATE NORMAL AND TRAINING SCHOOL BURNED.
Cooperstown, N.Y., Feb. 16. - The state normal and training school at Oneonta was burned yesterday morning.

The Oneonta state normal school was opened in the fall of 1889. The building was erected at an original cost of $114,000, which has since been increased by additional appropriations for improvements and apparatus to about $180,000. It was a handsome brick edifice. There were about 350 normal students and 150 intermediate students in attendance at the present term.
Decatur Daily Republican
Decatur, Illinois
February 16, 1894
1895 - Oneonta
Oneon'ta, a post-village in Oneonta township, Otsego co., N.Y., on the Susquehanna River, and on the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad, 82 miles W.S.W. of Albany, and 60 miles E.N.E. of Binghamton. It contains 5 churches, a national bank, 2 other banks, 2 newspaper offices, several factories, and mills and machine-shops of the railroad company. Pop. in 1880, 3002; in 1890, 6272.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1905 - NEW YORK TOWN SCORCHED.
Oneonta, N. Y., June 2. - Damage estimated at $100,000 was done by a fire which began late last night and burned until this morning, destroying two brick blocks and two frame structures, and damaging another building. The principal losses were A. S. C. Niles block, $20,000, and the Oneonta Grocery company, an occupant of the Niles block, $30,000.
The Fort Wayne Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
June 2, 1905
1906
Oneonta, a post-village in Oneonta township (town), Otsego co., N.Y., on the .Susquehanna River and on the Delaware and Hudson and the Ulster and Delaware Rs., 60 miles ENE. of Binghamton. It contains a state normal school and has railroad repair-shops, a foundry, silk-mill, etc. Pop. in 1900, 7147.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
1906 - BIG FIRE IN ONEONTA. TWO BUSINESS BUILDINGS DESTROYED AND TWO FIREMEN HURT.
Utica, May 22. - Fire which broke out in Oneonta at 5:30 this morning and was not controlled until 8 o'clock, destroyed two business buildings, one of which included the Wilber bank, owned by G. I. WILBER, State Fair Commissioner, and the Delaware & Hudson railroad dispatcher's office. The contents of the bank vault are believed to be unharmed.
The Syracuse Herald
Syracuse, New York
May 22, 1906
1908 - FLAMES RAGE IN ONEONTA. ARLINGTON HOTEL AND SEVEN OTHER BUILDINGS BURNED.
Loss Is Estimated at $100,000 – Several Persons Had Narrow Escapes and Lost All Their Personal Property.

ONEONTA, Dec. 28 – Fire which for a time early yesterday threatened the whole business section of Oneonta destroyed the Arlington Hotel and seven other buildings in the heart of the city, causing a loss of fully $100,000. Many of the occupants of the hotel and the living apartments in the other buildings had narrow escapes, none of them being able to save any of their effects and most of them being compelled to make hurried exits in scanty attire from the burning structures.

The fire started in the Arlington Hotel building, which is owned by H. E. Huntington of Los Angeles and Oneonta. It spread rapidly along the block of which the hotel formed a part, the last remaining row of wooden buildings in Main street. The age of the buildings and their inflammable character made the mas [sic] easy prey to the fire and it was but a few moments from the time the first alarm was given... Read MORE...

1910 - HOTEL GUESTS FLEE FIRE BY LADDER ROUTE. THIRTY-FIVE HAVE CLOSE CALL IN CENTRAL AT ONEONTA.
FLAMES CAUSE $100,000 LOSS.
EMPLOYEE FOUND DEAD ON TOP FLOOR OF STRUCTURE - BLAZE STARTS NEAR ELEVATOR SHAFT AND WORKS DESTRUCTION QUICKLY.

Binghamton, Jan. 16. - Fire this morning destroyed the Central Hotel at Oneonta and did about $100,000 damage and resulted in the death of JACOB HEDINGER, an employe of the hotel, who was suffocated on the top floor.

The fire started at 3:40 o'clock in a cinder box near the furnace in the hotel basement. The box was near an elevator shaft, up which the flames rapidly made their way, shutting off the thirty-five guests in the house from the stairs.

All of these guests, in scant attire, escaped by ladders or were carried out by firemen, losing all of their clothing and other possessions.

The damage to the hotel was $60,000. Other losses were FRANK A. HERRIEFFE, gents furnishings, $15,000; C. H. BORST, grocery, $2,000; TOWNSEND BROS., hardware, $3,000. The office of the National Express and INGRAHAM'S barber shop were also... Read MORE...

2023 - From outdoor adventures to cultural attractions and delicious dining options, here's a comprehensive list of places to visit and activities to enjoy in Oneonta:
Outdoor Activities:

Wilber Park: Start your outdoor exploration by visiting this lovely park in the heart of Oneonta. It features walking trails, a playground, picnic areas, and beautiful green spaces for relaxation.

Neahwa Park: Another great park in town, Neahwa Park has a pool, tennis courts, and a scenic pond where you can enjoy paddle boating.

Hiking and Biking: Explore the natural beauty of the region by hiking or biking on one of the many nearby trails, such as the Catskill Scenic Trail or the Susquehanna Greenway.

Fishing and Boating: The Susquehanna River offers excellent fishing opportunities, and you can rent kayaks or canoes to paddle along its tranquil waters.

Goodyear Lake: Just a short drive away, Goodyear Lake is perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating.

Glimmerglass State Park: A little farther afield but worth the trip, this state park on Otsego Lake offers swimming, hiking, and picnicking, as well as a lovely beach.

Cultural... Read MORE...

Discover Your Roots: Oneonta Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Oneonta, New York, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Oneonta.

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male ancestorElihu GIFFORD (7 January 1772, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, USA (Bliss Corner) (Smith Mills) (Padanaram) - 6 July 1839, Oneonta, New York, USA)
female ancestorMarie Ann KECK (21 November 1817, Burnhaupt-le-Bas, Departement du Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France - 16 January 1888, Oneonta, New York, USA)
male ancestorMartin VAN ALSTINE (1819, Schoharie, New York, USA - 6 August 1886, Oneonta, New York, USA)
female ancestorNancy BARNES (December 1823, Oneonta, New York, USA - 11 March 1902, Oneonta, New York, USA)
photo of Hannah SCHERMERHORNHannah SCHERMERHORN (22 July 1824, Croton, Treadwell, New York, USA - 16 June 1896, Oneonta, New York, USA)
female ancestorCaroline GARDNER (1832, , New York, USA - 1926, Oneonta, New York, USA)
male ancestorHarvey B VAN ALSTINE (21 July 1842, Oneonta, New York, USA - 16 August 1886, Oneonta, New York, USA)
male ancestorDamon BRIGHTMAN (5 June 1845, Oneonta, New York, USA - 6 April 1908, , Wisconsin, USA)
male ancestorEzra H VAN ALSTINE (1846, Oneonta, New York, USA - 26 August 1893, Colliers, Otsego, New York, USA)

Ancestors Who Were Married in Oneonta, New York, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Oneonta.

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male ancestorCharles Austin CLARK (28 May 1830 - 9 May 1891) and female ancestorEvelyn Amelia HODGE (16 April 1833 - 17 March 1878) married 30 May 1853
male ancestorWilliam L SLOAT (1853 - ) and female ancestorAnna VAN ALSTINE (7 January 1858 - 1937) married 30 December 1874
photo of Francis Joseph BOURGARDE Francis Joseph BOURGARDE (26 September 1871 - 17 September 1958) and photo of Marie Wilhelmina BLESSING Marie Wilhelmina BLESSING (25 August 1871 - 28 February 1940) married 3 September 1896

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Updated: 9/22/2023 9:24:36 AM