History of Oneonta, New York, USA

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...