History of Utica, New York, USA

1831 - DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN UTICA.
From the Utica Observer of Thursday.

On Sunday afternoon about 3 o'clock, a most alarming fire broke out in the stable of Messrs. DODGE & HART, in rear of buildings on Seneca Street, south side of the canal. The fire spread with such uncommon rapidity, that in a few minutes a number of buildings surrounding the one in which it originated, were enveloped in flames. Our firemen were prompt in their attendance, and but a short time elapsed before all the fire companies and engines were in active operation.

The skill which they exhibited, and the prompt and effective orders of the Chief Engineer and fire wardens, soon arrested its progress, but not until a large amount of property had been destroyed.

The following is a list of the buildings burnt and the names of the occupants so far as we have been able to ascertain them.

Store shed owned and occupied by Messrs. DOWS & HULBUT, together with a considerable quantity of pork, salt, cotton, &c.

The stables of Messrs. DODGE &... Read MORE...

1854 - Utica
Utica, a handsome city of Oneida county, New York, on the Mohawk river, Erie canal, and Central railroad, Do miles W. N. W. from Albany, 5b' E. of Syracuse, and 383 from Washington. Lat. 43° IV 49" N., Ion. 75° 13' W. It is pleasantly situated on the S. bank of the Mohawk, and is regularly laid out. The site is nearly level, with a gentle declivity towards the N. The greater part of the public buildings and mercantile houses are situated on Genesee street. The streets are wide, and the houses mostly well built, of brick or atone. Among the principal hotels are Bagg's hotel, the National, the Franklin, the Central, the Eagle, and the Broad-street House. A new city hall, of Milwaukee brick, is in course of erection on Genesee street. The city contains about 20 churches, of the various denominations, several nourishing academies and seminaries. 1 or 2 public libraries, and a mechanics' association. Four daily and five weekly newspapers are published here, besides several monthly... Read MORE...

1858 - TERRIBLE RAILROAD ACCIDENT. SEVEN OR EIGHT KILLED - FIVE OR SIX FATALLY INJURED - OVER FORTY WOUNDED - CRUSHING OF A BRIDGE.
Utica, May 11. - A frightful accident occurred this morning, at half-past six o'clock, on the Central Railroad, by the crushing of a bridge over the Sanquoit Creek, some 3 and a half miles west of this city, near Whitesboro. Seven or eight persons are already dead, and five or six others are barely alive. The injured number forty or more.
The accident occurred in the Cincinnati express train, due here at 20 minutes past 6.

It was somewhat behind time at Whitesboro, and was coming up at a high rate of speed, when it met, on the bridge over the Sanquoit Creek, the Utica accommodation train for the West each on its own track.

The engines crossed the bridge, but as the passenger cars of the express and freight cars of the accommodation came upon it, the north side gave way, precipitating the freight cars into the creek, piling the passenger cars one above the other, and splintering the platforms and seats to atoms as the cars struck the abutments.

The passenger car on the... Read MORE...

June 18, 1861: First fly-casting tournament in the United States, Utica, New York

The Old Farmer's Almanac www.almanac.com
June 18, 1861

1862 - Utica
UTICA was incorporated as a village April 3d, 1798. It was formed as a town, from Whitestown, April 7, 1817, and was incorporated as a city, February 13, 1832. It lies upon the south bank of the Mohawk, on the east border of the County. The land along the river is low, but rises in gradual slopes to the north west. The Erie Canal and the New York Central Railroad extend through it. It is the southern terminus of the Utica and Black River Railroad, and the northern terminus of the Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley Railroad, and the Utica, Clinton and Binghamton Railroad. The last is operated by horse power to New Hartford, thence by steam to Deansville and Oriskany Falls. There are two lines of horse railroads in the city, one to Whitesboro and the other to New Hartford, and stage lines to all points. It is situated in the midst of one of the best agricultural sections of the State, and has an extensive trade. It contains about thirty churches, eleven banks, the County buildings,... Read MORE...

1869 - Four boys, the eldest seventeen years, have been arrested in Utica, N. Y., for robbing freight cars on the Central Railroad.
They all plead guilty, and implicated a man named Wm. Ferry as the instigator of the robbery. It is thought their plunder, since the commencement of operations, will amount to fully $100,000.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 17, 1869

1878 - How a Hat Saved a Life
MAJ. RUBE ALLEN, Com. Vanderbilt's favorite veteran engineer of the Central Road, a man of giant stature, with a brave heart, which is as tender as a woman's, had a new hat for one of the freight brakeman of the road when he can find the right man. One day last week he was coming to Utica, drawing an express train. Just as he approached one of the small stations he saw the foreman of a section gang standing sideways in the middle of the passenger track, apparently watching a passing freight train. Rube quickly tooted his whistle, but the noise made by the freight must have drowned it, for the foreman never stirred. He continued the signal, whistled for brakes and reversed, but the man stood still as if in a reverie. The locomotive had approached so near that Rube could hear the brakeman who stood on the top of his train call out to the trackman and see him move his hands despairingly, as if he feared that he could not save the man. The express was running at a high rate of speed, and... Read MORE...

1879 - First Five and Dime Store in America
Five and Dime store: Founded by Frank Woolworth, Utica, N.Y., 1879 (moved to Lancaster, Pa., same year).

www.factmonster.com

1895 - Utica
Utica, a handsome city of Oneida co., N.Y., on the Mo hawk River, the Erie Canal, and the Central Railroad, 95 miles W.N.W. of Albany, 52 miles E. of Syracuse, and 383 miles from Washington. Lat. 43°6'49" N.; lon. 75° 13' W. . It is pleasantly situated on the S. bank of the Mo hawk. The site is nearly level, with a gentle declivity towards the N. The streets are wide, and the houses mostly well built of brick or stone. Most of the public buildings and mercantile houses are on Genesee street. The city ex tends nearly 4 miles E. and W. The Erie Canal, here 70 feet wide, passes through it, and the Chenango Canal connects it with Binghamton. The state lunatic asylum, located I mile W. of the centre of the city, consists of several large and expensive buildings of stone and brick, capable of accommodating several hundred patients. Utica contains a city hall, more than 30 churches, a public library, a court-house, an opera-house, several academies, 3 hospitals, 2 orphan asylums, 7 banks,... Read MORE...

1906
Utica, a city, capital of Oneida co., N.Y., on the Mo hawk River and the Erie Canal, 95 miles WNW. of Albany, on the New York Central and Hudson River, the Lacka wanna and other railroads. It is pleasantly situated on the S. bank of the Mohawk, on a nearly level site, about 400 feet above the sea. The surrounding region is one of extensive dairying and floricultural pursuits, the production of cheese being an important industry. Utica stood in 1900 eighth among the industrial cities of the state, its manufactured product being valued at $19,550,000, and comprising cotton, woollen and knitted goods, yarns, agricultural implements, clothing, stoves and heaters, lumber, and malted liquors. The city is noted for the number of its charitable institutions and organizations, and contains, in addition to various hospitals and homes, a state lunatic asylum and the Utica Orphan Asylum. Among the more notable public buildings are the Federal building, the city-hall, and the state armory. Utica... Read MORE...

1907 - Smoke Suffocates Two During Utica Hotel Fire. Several Other Persons, Overcome, Are Carried Out.
Utica, May 23. - By a fire that caused less than $5,000 damage in the Metropolitan Hotel shortly after midnight, Mrs. Hannah S. Zintsmaster, an employe of the hotel, and George James, a guest, were suffocated in their rooms and died before the firemen got them to the street.

Six or seven persons were overcome with smoke and had to be carried out by the firemen and five or six who attempted to slide to safety down the ropes from their rooms were either injured by striking the walk too severely or had their hands badly lacerated.

The fire started at the bottom of the elevator shaft and shot to the top of the four-story building in a moment. Volumes of smoke poured out the elevator openings and filled the halls to such an extent that people could not find the stairways and some of them were unable to leave their rooms.

The firemen had no difficulty keeping the fire within the shaft but they had trouble reaching the rooms and getting the people out safely. They were aided... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Utica:
Utica Zoo:

The Utica Zoo is a great place for animal lovers. It's home to a diverse collection of animals, including lions, red pandas, and giraffes. The zoo also hosts events and educational programs.

Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute:

If you appreciate art, visit the MWPAI. It features an art museum, a performing arts center, and a renowned sculpture garden. The museum showcases works from various periods, including European paintings and American modern art.

Saranac Brewery:

Utica has a rich brewing history, and Saranac Brewery is a testament to that. Take a brewery tour to learn about the brewing process and enjoy tasting sessions of their craft beers.

Erie Canal Village:

Step back in time and explore the Erie Canal Village, a living history museum. It provides a glimpse into life during the 19th century, showcasing historic buildings, costumed interpreters, and interactive exhibits.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad:

Take a scenic train ride through the... Read MORE...