USA > New York > Onondaga County > Gazetteer and business directory of Onondaga County, N. Y., for 1868-9 > Part 9
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The population in 1865 was 1,566, and its area 18,500 acres .- The town is divided into eleven school districts, employing eleven
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teachers, with an average attendance of 171 pupils. The whole amount expended for school purposes in 1867 was $1,914.16.
SYRACUSE .- The ground upon which the city of Syracuse now stands was originally a part of the Salt Springs Reservation. - When the County was organized, in 1794, all that part of the Res- ervation east of Onondaga Creek and Lake, was included in the town of Manlius. Ephraim Webster, who kept a few goods for the Indian trade, was the first who lent his name to any locality in the vicinity ofthe city. It was called Webster's Landing. Benjamin Newkirk, in 1793, succeeded Webster, at which time there was quite a number of Indian cabins ranging along the west bank of the creek, enough to form a respectable Indian village. The dark, gloomy, and al- most impenetrable swamp, now occupied by the city, was then a favorite resort for wolves, bears, wild cats, mud-turtles and swamp rattle snakes. The western portion of the valley about Syracuse was originally timbered with hemlock, birch and soft maple ; the eastern portion with cedar and pine. Near the west bank of the creek was an extensive Indian burying ground, where skeletons are occasionally disinterred. In 1843, one of extraordinary size was disinterred, the owner of which, when living, must have been at least eight feet high. The skull was large, and the jaw bones were furnished with double teeth all round. They were perfectly sound, and covered with a beautiful enamel of the most perfect whiteness. Such occurrences are not uncommon at the several In- dian burying grounds throughout the country. In one grave was found a large skeleton, on each side of which was a gun with flints in the locks, having the appearance of being loaded at the time they were buried. In this grave there was also found a brass ket- tle, two pair of shoes, three razors, a tomahawk and a number of bullets. A large pine tree had grown over the grave. The last who fell in the feud between the Onondagas and Cayugas was the Handsome Harry, who, finding his pursuers hard upon him, turned, and baring his breast, received his death wound from an arrow, and was buried where he fell, in the sand bank, not far from the Syracuse Pump House. Two of his sisters for many years visited the spot and mourned the death of their brother with the deepest sorrow.
In 1804, an act was passed directing the sale of two hundred and fifty acres of land of the Salt Springs Reservation, for the purpose of laying out and improving a road from Manlius to Onondaga. This tract was bought by Abraham Walton for six thousand five hun- dred and fifty dollars. Although the avails of this sale were to be appropriated towards laying out and improving a road, there was a stipulation in the terms of sale, that the purchaser should, within a specified time, ereet or cause to be erected, a suitable building for a tavern, or house of entertainment for the accommodation of trav-
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elers. The same season Mr. Walton laid out lots for a village, and, agreeably to the stipulation, sold to Henry Bogardus, for the con- sideration of three hundred dollars, half an acre of ground, binding him to erect within a reasonable time, a suitable house for a tavern, and to keep or cause one to be kept. His house was erected in 1806. It was two stories high and thirty-five by forty-five feet on the ground, and stood on the site of the present Empire Block. Mr. Bogardus was succeeded by Mr. Burlingham in 1808; Joseph Langdon in 1810; James Ingalls in 1812; and by Sterling Cossit in 1815. This tavern was called the "South Salina Hotel." Mr. Merrill, Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Butler, were residents here at this time, and were located a little west of the Oswego bridge, conve- nient to a spring of water. In 1800, Mr. Calvin Jackson lived in a small log house, a little south of where the railroad crosses Gene- see street, where was born Albion Jackson, on the 28th of Decem- ber, 1800, supposed to be the first white child born within the city limits of Syracuse, out of that part known as Salina. Dr. Swan put up a small frame house in 1807. Jonathan Fay settled near the Court House in 1808. Rufus Stanton kept a tavern near the Salina bridge in 1811.
When the last survey of the Walton Tract was made, making the said Tract into village lots, there was but a small clearing in the village. The extent of it was from the canal, near Clinton street, south to Fayette street, and east to Warren street. On the north side of the canal, the clearing extended as far back as Church street, and east to Warren street. The rest of the dry ground was a pine , grove, interspersed with oak bushes. The first burying ground in Syracuse was on Fayette street, a little west of Clinton street. The old burying ground near the west railroad depot, was laid out at the time the village was located. In 1819, there were but two frame buildings in the city, beside the tavern. Log houses and plank and slab cabins were scattered over the dry ground, most of which latter had been tenanted by laborers on the canal. Where the Syracuse House now stands, was the entrance, by bars, into a lot of 20 acres. Rufus Stanton, in 1816, raised on this ground, an abundant crop of rye. It was afterwards occupied as a pasture. Sidney Dole and Milan C. Taylor owned and occupied the mill, and kept a store, next west of where William Malcolm first kept. They were the first merchants in the city. In 1821, General Amos P. Granger came down from Onondaga Hill and set up a dry goods store on the north-east corner, by the present Salina street bridge. There was at that time no other store in Syracuse, except two or three small groceries. Before 1824 they could be counted by the dozen. Messrs Buell & Safford bought the lot where the Syra- cuse House now stands, and commenced the erection of the Syra- cuse Hotel. While the building was being erected, Mr. Safford
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fell from a scaffold and was killed, after which the property passed into the hands of Mr. Eckford, who completed the building in 1822. It was three stories high, and the only brick building of any consid- erable dimensions erected in town at the time. It was kept sev- eral years by Mr. James Mann. After the Syracuse Company came in possession of it, the house was rebuilt, and has since been enlarged and improved to its present ample dimensions. In 1822, Syracuse had not more than two hundred and fifty inhabitants, and no place of worship. It had two taverns and no school house. John Wilkinson was the first lawyer who settled in Syracuse. He erected an office on the corner, where the Globe Buildings now stand, and was heartily ridiculed for locating his office out in the fields. Mr. John Durnford established the first printing press at Syracuse. He issued the first number of the Onondaga Gazette, April 2d, 1823. Among the advertisements in it were Pomeroy's Razor Strop, Clark's Commentary and Morse's Geography.
The first religious society organized in Syracuse was the Baptist. St. James church (Protestant Episcopal,) was organized in 1848, by the Rev. H. Gregory. The church of the Messiah was organ- ized September 3, 1838. The first Roman Catholic church at Sy- racuse was organized Christmas day, 1842. It was purchased from the Protestant Episcopal Society, and fitted up for the Roman Cath- olics. In 1848 it was enlarged and improved; Rev. Michael Haes, priest, The first house of worship was built in 1824, at a cost of two thousand three hundred dollars, and enlarged in 1839 at a cost of two thousand three hundred dollars. In the spring of 1848, the society made an exchange with Capt. Joel Cody, of their house and lot, for a lot more eligible, situated a few rods east of their old location, and erected on their new site a brick edifice after the Roman Ionic order of architecture. This building was one hundred and thirty-two feet long (including the porch in front and lecture room in the rear,) by seventy feet in width, estimated to cost about fifteen thousand dollars, making the whole property worth twenty thousand dollars. In 1825, the Syracuse Company gave the Episcopal society a lot of ground for a church, and in Sep- tember the frame was raised ; it was covered during the autumn of that year, and in 1827 it was completed. It stood on the ground formerly occupied by what is now known as the Granger Block .-- The church building was subsequently sold to the Roman Catholic society, who removed it. On the 12th of July, 1841, the corner stone of the present St. Paul's Church was laid, and the building was completed early the following year. St. James Church (Pro- testant Episcopal,) was organized in August, 1848. The Church of the Messiah (First Unitarian Congregational Society of Syra- cuse,) was organized September 3, 1838. A "Dutch Reformed Society " was organized in 1848. One African church and several German societies were organized about this time.
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The first packet boat on the canal arrived at Syracuse on the 21st of April, 1820. It was built and fitted up by a company of gen- tlemen at Montezuma, (by which name she was known,) from a model furnished by Comfort Tyler. It was seventy-six feet long and fourteen feet wide. Its arrival created great excitement ; hun- dreds of anxious spectators lined the bank of the canal to witness the wonder of the age. This practical illustration of the benefits of canal navigation was not without its effect. It hushed the hos- tility of canal opponents, and subdued the fears of the timorous .- Visionary theories yielded to simple fact, and wild speculation to the test of experiment. The canal was now navigable from Mon- tezuma to Utica, ninety-four miles, and at once business received a new and vigorous impulse.
The 4th of July, 1820, was a memorable day for Syracuse. The canal was in practical operation. The prospects of the future city began to brighten; a most brilliant day dawned upon a land here- tofore a swamp and a bog. It was hailed as a day of joy, festivity and rejoicing. Invitations had been extended to the friends of the canal, throughout the State, particularly in the western district. Thousands of guests from the surrounding counties came in to wit- ness the novelty of canal navigation and to celebrate the day. Some of the most distinguished men in the State were present; among them, Gov. Clinton. It was the first celebration of our na- tional day of independence, at Syracuse, and those who were pres- ent number it among her proudest days. The celebration was held in a pine grove, directly in the rear of the Townsend Block. The Declaration was read by N. P. Randall, Esq., and the Oration delivered by Samuel Miles Hopkins, Esq.
A post office was established at Syracuse in February, 1820, and was thus announced in the Onondaga Register: "A new post office has been established at Syracuse, (formerly Corinth,) in the town of Salina, and John Wilkinson, Esq., appointed post master." The name of this village was necessarily changed, there being a post office by the name of Corinth previously established in the State. The advertising list, in 1823, on the first appearance of the Onondaga Gazette, had increased to eight. The post office for a time was kept in the store of Gen. Granger ; but for the greater convenience of the inhabitants of the village, it was thought ad- visable to move it to the printing office of John Durnford, Esq .- He at first objected, on account of lack of room, but finally con- sented. In due time Mr. Wilkinson came on with the whole con- tents of the post office, mail matter, letter bags, boxes-the whole concern on his shoulders, without having any occasion to go for a second load ; upon which Mr. Durnford concluded he had plenty of room to accommodate all the requisite wants of the department at Syracuse. On the 9th of June, 1825, La Fayette visited Syra-
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cuse. He was escorted from Onondaga Hill by a large body of citizens on horseback, (by way of the Hollow,) to the Mansion House, which stood on the ground now occupied by the Bastable Block, and was afterwards transferred to the ground now occupied by the New York Central Rail Road Co's Freight House, and subsequently to its present location on Fayette street, where he received the cordial greeting of "his fellow citi- zens." During the delivery of Judge Forman's address, in front of the Mansion House, the illustrious Frenchman stood, with his hat in his hands, leaning on his cane, and with the other on his hip, giving his undivided attention to what was said. The gallant gen- eral responded in the following words: "The names of Onondaga and Syracuse, in behalf of whose population you are pleased so kindly to welcome me, recalls to my mind at the same time, the wilderness that, since the time I commanded on the northern frontier, has been transferred into one of the most populous, well cultivated and enlightened parts of the Untted States; and the ancient Sicili- an city, once the seat of republican institutions, much inferior how- ever to those which in American Syracuse are founded upon the unalloyed establishment of the rights of men, and upon the best representative forms of government. No doubt, sir, but that among the co-operators of the Revolution, the most sanguine of us eould not anticipate the rapidity of the improvements which, on a journey of many thousand miles, (the last tour alone, from Wash- ington to this place, amounting to five thousand miles,) have de- lighted me, and of which this part of the country offers a bright example. Be pleased to accept my personal thanks, and in behalf of the people of Onondaga and Syracuse, to receive the tribute af my sincere thanks and respectful acknowledgements." It is needless to say how the old warrior's address was received. Shortly after a repast was furnished from the Mansion House to over 2,000 guests. After breakfast, the General and suit, together with the Onondaga committee of escort, left Syracuse in the boat Rochester, for Utica, to which place the committee accompanied himn.
In 1835, the bounds of the original village were considerably en - larged. In 1839 and '41, the charter was again amended, so as to enable the Trustees to hold real estate for the purposes of a village cemetery, which was subsequently purchased and laid out. In 1843 and in 1845, the charter was again amended for improvement of water works, to empower the Trustees to borrow money on the credit of the Corporation, to purchase a lot for a market and other public buildings, and for other purposes.
The first meeting for the election of officers of the village of Sy- racuse, was held at the school house in said village, May 3, 1825. The Trustees proceeded at once to lay out road distriets, to organ- ize a fire department, and to purchase engines and apparatus, and
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other -things, for the welfare of the village. The second board o trustees was elected May 3d, 1826. Only 56 votes were polled.
August 20th, 1841, occurred the ever memorable explosion, at which 26 human beings were launched into eternity, and ten others dangerously and 43 severely wounded. A fire originated in a join- er's shop, on the tow path side of the Oswego canal. Here had been stored 25 kegs of powder, which exploded with the most ter- rible consequences. A gloom was cast over the village and coun- ty, which betokened sorrow and mourning in every countenance. Sadness prevailed every dwelling, and melancholy every heart. The effects of this explosion were felt for twenty miles around. A man on the deck of a packet boat at Fulton, 26 miles distant, heard the report. At De Witt and Jamesville, five miles off, persons were startled from their sleep, supposing their chimnies had fallen down. At Manlius, ten miles distant, the earth trembled, and crockery upon merchants' shelves rattled for the space of several seconds, like the shock from a clap of thunder. At Camillus, it was com- pared to the crash of falling timber. At Onondaga it was supposed to be an earthquake. Although the concussion was tremendous at Syracuse, the report was not so loud as might have been supposed. Glass in the windows a hundred rods distant was broken to frag- ments. Papers in the County Clerk's office were thrown from their places to the floor, and several buildings were more or less injured. The explosion extinguished every particle of fire, and nothing but the carbon of a charred mass was found to remain. Let us try to forget the scene at this moment, when men, women and children ran screaming with horror, making frightful that fatal night, which will be long remembered by the older citizens of Syracuse and Coun- ty of Onondaga. For many days the stores were closed and business suspended. The following Sunday the unfortunate vic- tims were consigned to the tomb, amidst the sympathies and tears of an afflicted community. The clergy, who are always with us in misfortune, forgot their sectarian differences, and united in giving comfort to those who were living and friendless, and in offer- ing a solemn requiem to the dead.
Through the exertions of Messrs. Harvey Baldwin, Oliver Teall, Aaron Burt, and some others friendly to the cause of education, a charter was obtained for the Syracuse Academy. Mr. Baldwin gave the lot and, under many discouragements, the building now occupied as the Orphan Asylum, was erected and completed for an academy, which was supplied with competent teachers, and supported by the benefaetions of the before named individuals and a few others.
During the year 1846, Syracuse had so wonderfully increased in size and population, that the subject of securing for it a city char- ter began seriously to be discussed. Meetings were held during that and the following year, without coming to a definite conclusion,
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till, in the winter of 1847 and S, the matter was brought before the Legislature. There was considerable difference of opinion among the inhabitants as to the extent of territory which should be em- braced. Some were for including the whole original Salt Springs Reservation ; others only the village of Syracuse. Some for more territory and others for less. Several spirited meetings were held in reference to the subject, which finally resulted in the grant of a charter, including the villages of Syracuse and Salina, with the name of Syracuse. At the first election of city officers, in May 1848, Harvey Baldwin, Esq., was elected mayor; James Lynch and Elizur Clark, aldermen for the first ward; Alexander McKin- stry and John B. Burnet, for the second; W. H. Alexander and Gardner Lawrence for the third; and Henry W. Durnford and Ro- bert Furman for the fourth. From the returns of a census made for the city of Syracuse in January 1849, it contained little short of 16,000 inhabitants.
The opening of the canal, in 1820, may be set down as the real commencement of the city of Syracuse. From this time it began to be looked upon as a place inevitably destined to become the grand emporium of the County. There was however one continual draw- back. During the building of the canal, from 1817 to 1820, the sickness had been terrible. No estimate can be made of the fatali- ty of disease at that time. In 1821-22, Judge Forman succeeded in having a law passed in connection with the lowering of Onondaga Lake, by which the Commissioners of the Land Office were to draw a map of the swamp and marsh about the village of Salina and Sy- racuse. This map was to designate the route of several ditches or drains through the swamp and marsh lands, with an accompanying estimate of the sum necessary to be raised to effect such object .. The Judges of the County Courts were authorized to appoint three discreet freeholders of the County, who should assess the amount of money necessary to be raised on the owners of the lands contigu- ous to the drains, in proportion as they were supposed to be bene- fited. In case of the non-payment of any assessment, the lands could be sold, after being advertised four weeks, for the payment ; and if not reclaimed within six months, with interest at ten per cent., and costs, the sale was valid and unchangeable. Soon af- ter this system of drainage had been executed, the place assumed an air of healthfulness; disease and sickness kept at a distance; confi- dence was placed in the future, and the past was quickly forgotten. The change was like a vision, an enchantment, to the many who have lived to witness in so short a time the wonderful transition. In less than a quarter of a century, a city had sprung up from a loathsome swamp, where least of all the traveler would dream of such an event. Through all periods of pecuniary adversity, it has F
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passed its onward career with a greater demand for dwellings. Its business, from year to year, has increased with great regularity. As new stores were opened, customers increased, and as trade extend- ed itself, the country became more dependent upon Syracuse as a market. Although this has been the course, and consequent in- crease of business and population for nearly twenty-five years, the same characteristics still exist, and it is no unreasonable prediction to remark, that the growth may be even more rapid for the suc- ceeding time than it has been in the past.
«Syracuse was incorporated as a city, December 14th, 1847. It was, known from 1806 to 1809, as Bogardus Corners; from 1809 to 1812, as Milan ; from 1812 to 1814, as South Salina; from 1814 to 1817, as Cossitts Corners; from 1817 to 1820, as Corinth ; and. from that time called Syracuse, a name given by John Wilkinson, its first.postmaster. It was incorporated as a village in the town of Salina, April 13th, 1825. It was taken from Salina March 18th, 1848, and a portion of it afterwards added to the town of De Witt. The village.of Salina, now known as the First Ward of the city, continued an independent corporation until 1847, when it was unit- ed as a part of the city. It was sometimes called Salt Point. The city of Syracuse lies in a basin, extending south of the head of On- onsdaga Lake, and upon the ridges immediately east. A low por- tion, partly marshy, containing more than a square mile, lies upon the lake. Upon the marshy plat are situated the salt springs. It is bordered directly by an abrupt declivity, from 10 to 30 feet high. From the summit of this declivity the surface spreads out into an almost perfect plat, on which is built the more thickly settled por- tions of the city. A ridge, 100 to 200 feet high, extends through the eastern part, which,nature appeared to have purposely divided to admit the Erie Canal. Upon it, a short distance east of the head of the lake, very often , at high aseents, are found what are termed the " salt holes," which . are continually forming, and it not unfre- quently happens that a tract, of 20 feet in diameter will suddenly fall to a depth of from 10 to 30 feet. . Upon these highlands that surround the city, are some of the most beautiful sites for country residences to be found in the State. From the central location of the city, and its facilities for accommodation, it has become a favor- ite resort for the holding of conventions, political, religious, civil and miscellaneous. The several canals and railroads that pass through or terminate in the city, give to it important commercial advantages. A large trade is carried on with the surrounding eoun- try for wood and barrels for the salt, and with Pennsylvania to fur- nish them coal. The city is supplied with water by the Syracuse Water Company, from springs, and brooks which have their sources in the hills south-west of the city. Several foundries and machine
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shops give employment to many hands. Greenway's brewery, one of the largest in the State, manufactures annually 40,000 bls. of beer. The Central Rail Road shops give employment to several hundred hands. The city also contains large manufactories of reapers and other agricultural implements. There are five sad- dlery hardware manufactories herc on an extensive scale, two man- ufactories of silver ware, a large glass factory, a wind mill manu- facturing company, rolling mills, one for the manufacture of rail- road iron, nine banks, and over 30 churches, with several in pro- cess of erection. The Onondaga Co. Savings Bank is erecting a fine stone building on the corner of South Salina and East Genesee streets, which will be an ornament to the city and an honor to the architect. There are six street railroads running to as many differ- ent parts of the city and suburbs. The New York State Life Insu- rance Co. has its home office here. The schools of the city are un- der the control of the Board of Education, consisting of one mem- ber from each ward. The whole number of pupils attending school during the last year was 7,206, and the average attendance 5,319. The whole number in the city between 5 and 21 years of age 14,267. The amount expended for salaries of teachers was $48,871.45, and the whole amount expended for school purposes $80,362.08. The number of teachers employed is 143.
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